SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO AND ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK TO LAUNCH THE CATHOLIC CHANNEL
The Archdiocese of New York and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will create and collaborate on The Catholic Channel. The lifestyle radio channel will air nationally seven days a week, 24 hours a day and will feature contemporary talk, music programming and live daily masses from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
Launching this fall exclusively on SIRIUS, The Catholic Channel will feature a modern format with an open dialogue focused on Catholicism in the 21st Century, especially as it is lived in today’s world. Listeners will be encouraged to call in to talk about the issues that are on their mind and in the news – everything from what’s happening in the Church today, to the headline stories of current events and politics, and the latest in the world of entertainment, the arts and sports. They will interact with hosts who will bring a Catholic perspective to the world around us. Daily program hosts and guests will include members of the clergy and distinguished laity from across the land. Regular and previously unavailable content from The Vatican will also be a part of the channel, including programming from Vatican Radio.
The Catholic Channel programming will also include human interest stories and inspirational themes, shows offering counseling and guidance, educational programs, musical content, and daily Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. A detailed schedule with specific programs and hosts will be announced prior to launch.
A prominent contributor to The Catholic Channel will be His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, who will periodically appear exclusively on the channel.
Cardinal Egan said, "The Catholic Channel represents a splendid opportunity for the Church in the United States. By using this modern medium, we will be able to communicate directly with the Catholic faithful as well as anyone of any religious faith who might be interested in what the Catholic Church is saying and doing here in New York and around the country. Sirius Satellite Radio has my sincere thanks for making this channel become a reality."
"This partnership with the Archdiocese is a significant step forward in our development and mission to provide our listeners with the finest and most distinctive Christian programming in radio," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. "The talented and diverse personalities who will guide this channel and the special contributions of His Eminence Cardinal Egan will make The Catholic Channel an extraordinary experience for our audience."
The Catholic Channel will join other religious-themed programming on SIRIUS, including EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network // Ch. 160, which features talk shows, news, daily devotions and teaching series, and Christian Talk // Ch. 159, faith-based programming provided by Family Net, the broadcast arm of the Southern Baptist Mission, which features programs such as Pat Robertson’s "The 700 Club. SIRIUS also offers Christian and Gospel-themed music channels, including Spirit // Ch. 66, the best of contemporary Christian pop music, Revolution // Ch. 67, dedicated to Christian rock, and Praise // Ch. 68, featuring Gospel hits.