About EWTN (UK) - FAQs

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Mission & History

What is EWTN 's Mission?: The Mission Statement of EWTN reads:
"Eternal Word Television Network is dedicated to the advancement of truth as defined by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The mission of the Eternal Word Television Network is to serve the orthodox belief and teaching of the Church as proclaimed by the supreme Pontiff and his predecessors."
How did this project begin?: In the early 1960's, Mother Angelica, a cloistered Franciscan Poor Clare nun, fulfilled a promise to our Lord to found a monastery in the non-Catholic southern part of the United States, and the Bishop of Mobile, Alabama, which included the city of Irondale, a suburb of Birmingham, invited her to do so. Once she and her nuns moved to Irondale, the first step in her programme of evangelisation was to write a series of "Mini-Books" on a variety of religious themes. As their popularity grew, the monastery acquired its own printing press to print them and began to distribute them worldwide.
How did this evolve into a television network?: The popularity of the Mini-Books led to many requests for speaking engagements by Mother Angelica, which evolved into a series of her talks being taped at a local television station. Eager to bring this message to a much wider audience, the idea of a Catholic television network was born. From the humble beginnings of a small TV studio built at the monastery by six nuns who knew little of the world of technology and communication, EWTN now possesses a state of the art audiovisual complex, which is totally funded by gifts from individuals and groups. Since its inauguration in August 1981 EWTN has grown to become the world's largest religious media network.
Is EWTN only a television network?: No. It is a Catholic media network, which consists of television, radio, an internet service and publishing.

Structure & Operations

Who owns EWTN?: EWTN is an independent charitable organization based in Alabama, USA. It has trustees but does not have shareholders or owners.
How is EWTN financed?: EWTN is donor-based. It is financed entirely by donations from its viewers, listeners, supporters, and benefactors. There are no shares, no invested funds, and EWTN receives no advertising or syndication income. Mother Angelica founded the network relying on Divine Providence, and this mode of operation continues to this day.
Does EWTN charge for its services?: EWTN does not charge for its services. All its satellite signals are "free to air", that is, available at no cost. It offers its programme transmissions free directly to the viewer, as well as to cable operators, broadcast television and radio stations.
How is EWTN staffed?: EWTN has nearly 300 employees. It is headed by Rev Mr William Steltemeier, Chairman of the Board, Mr Michael Warsaw, President and CEO, and Mr Doug Keck, Executive Vice President and COO, along with the Vice Presidents and Directors of the several departments that make up EWTN: Programming and Production, Marketing, Engineering, Viewer Services, Theology and Communication, which includes Media Services (Press), Creative Services (Art) and OnLine Services (Internet).
Does EWTN have an official status in the Church?: EWTN is an independent operation. It is a member of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which is officially recognised by the Holy See whose delegate from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications sits on its board. One of EWTN's past directors was President of the International Group of SIGNIS, one of the seven regional groups of SIGNIS.
What is EWTN's relationship with the Bishops and Cardinals?: There are members of the American hierarchy and clergy on the Board of Directors of EWTN. In addition, a large number of bishops and cardinals from the USA and elsewhere in the world, including members of the Sacred Congregations, have participated and participate in EWTN programmes.
Is EWTN conservative or fundamentalist in its attitude and programming?: EWTN is based on faithfulness to the Holy Father and all the teachings of the Church. Its catechetical programmes are always based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
What is EWTN's attitude toward phenomena such as apparitions?: EWTN does not show programmes about alleged apparitions that are not approved by the Church, through the authority of the local bishops.

EWTN's Media Network

What are the main facts about EWTN' s media network?: Television and radio channels, each offering programming 24 hours a day, and an internet website.

Television:

There are eight separate television services ("feeds") with programming scheduled according to local time zones and some customisation of programmes themselves: (1) United States, (2) Canada, (3) United States - Spanish, (4) Latin America and Spain, (5) Europe International, (6) Europe - English, (7) Asia and the Pacific Rim, (8) Africa and South Asia.

The feed to Latin America and Spain is in the Spanish language. Approximately 75% of Spanish language programming is produced in-house by EWTN. The remaining 25% originates from a variety of countries in Latin America as well as from Spain. The Europe International feed carries extensive programming in English, German and some in French.

Radio:

EWTN 's short-wave radio station, WEWN, with its four 500 Kw. transmitters, reaches around the world. It offers three separate feeds: one service entirely in Spanish, reaching Latin America, and two services in English with distinct schedules, though the same programming.

The English and Spanish radio services are also transmitted via satellite, so radio stations can receive the satellite signal and retransmit the programming on locally owned AM/FM radio stations.

Web Site:

EWTN's prize-winning website, www.ewtn.com, attracts many million page views every month.

In May 2005, the United States Library of Congress selected EWTN's website for inclusion in the historic collection of internet materials related to the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

Among the website's features is a Catholic "Question and Answer" section, where learned theologians answer e-mailed questions about the Faith. This and the Daily Catholic News are the most frequented mini-sites.

Other services available on EWTN's website include:
Searchable Digital Library of Catholic Documents: One of the largest collections of Catholic documents divided into 39 categories ranging from "Academic" and "Apologetics" to "Youth". Access to more than 6000 documents (including Papal Encyclicals, writings of the Saints and Church Fathers) has proved invaluable for students, seminarians, catechists, and all who wish to explore the Catholic heritage.
Audio Library: More than 4000 EWTN programmes are available on demand.
Live Streaming of EWTN' s TV and AM/FM signal via Windows Media Video/Audio technology.
Podcasting: In October 2005 a range of EWTN programmes became available in MP3 audio format using podcasting software.
Monthly Programming Schedule for all of EWTN's Television and Radio services.
How many viewers and listeners does EWTN have?: We do not know how many viewers tune in to EWTN. The only way we can answer this is by stating in how many countries EWTN is down-linked by cable TV operators, IPTV, broadcast television stations, and "Direct Broadcast Satellite" (DBS) which is also referred to as "Direct to Home" (DTH) service. Our Cable TV, IPTV and DBS/DTH affiliates inform us of their subscriber numbers, so we know the numbers of households, that EWTN reaches.

As of March 2010, EWTN Television is available in 140 countries to more than 150 million Cable TV, IPTV and DBS/DTH subscribers. The shortwave radio station and satellite-delivered AM/FM radio network reach many millions more and this does not count those millions around the world who visit www.ewtn.com.

EWTN Programming

What are the various types of programming that EWTN provides?: EWTN provides a rich variety of programming intended for each generation in a Catholic family. EWTN 's programming philosophy is in accordance with the teaching of the Magisterium. Principal categories include:

Daily Mass and Devotions

Exploration of the Faith: teaching series and round table discussions series, given and guided by, noted theologians.

Documentaries, Drama, Concerts

Live Call-in Talk Shows.

Children and Young Adults Programmes.

Church/Papal Events: extensive live coverage of Papal visits, celebrations and solemnities from the Vatican, including the weekly Papal audience, and major Church events.

Global Catholic News, including summaries from the Vatican, features and interviews.
Who produces programmes offered on EWTN?: EWTN produces approximately 75% of its programmes. Other programme, e.g., documentaries, plays and films, and musical concerts are acquired from producers around the world. All out-of-house productions are screened by the Theology Department of EWTN, to ensure their conformity with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
What has been the experience of EWTN's effect on viewers of other Christian denominations and non-Christian faiths?: The correspondence, which EWTN receives from members of traditional mainstream Protestant churches, is most gratifying. These viewers appreciate that, while EWTN is intended for Catholic families, it offers programming that is profound in both its solid theology and cultural content, and wide in its variety. Letters and emails received from viewers of non-Christian faiths show they are satisfied with the way in which EWTN portrays the Catholic faith, which helps them understand the tenets of the teachings of the Catholic Church. The depth of resources for research, which are available on EWTN 's web site, has also caused favourable comment.

Distribution of EWTN Programmes

Can one record EWTN programmes on dvd, videotape or audiocassettes?: One may record EWTN television and radio programmes on dvd, video or cassette tapes to be used at prayer groups, Bible study groups, or simply to show at gatherings of friends and family. However, these dvds, videos and audiocassette copies may not be sold or used for any commercial purpose.
Can one purchase EWTN programmes?: Currently EWTN DVD's are not generally available in PAL format in the UK. The advent of new technology permitting both PAL and NTSC formats to be played on region-free DVD players will allow this situation to be resolved. A small number of nicely packaged videotapes of a selection of EWTN programmes can be purchased from the Catholic Truth Society, tel. 020 7640 0042. Some audiocassettes of EWTN programming are available from St. Anthony Communications, tel. 01834 812 643.

EWTN's Status in the UK

Does EWTN have a licence to broadcast in the UK?: EWTN's License, originally issued by ITC and amended by Ofcom under the Communications Act of 2003, permits it to re-broadcast its signal from the UK. The programming, however, is generated from EWTN's studios at its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and re-broadcast to a European satellite from UK soil.
Does EWTN have a legal presence in the United Kingdom?: Friends of EWTN have established a registered charity in the UK to promote EWTN here. The name of the charity is St. Clare Media (EWTN) Ltd., Charity No. 1080782. Address: P.O. Box 913, Enfield EN2 0WY, Tel: 020 8350 2542, Email: info@stclaremedia-ewtn.co.uk.

Needs of EWTN in the UK

What are some of the ongoing financial needs of EWTN in the UK?: a. Funds are needed to cover the operational costs, promotional materials, and services offered by the charity St Clare Media (EWTN), to promote awareness of EWTN throughout the UK.

b. Funds to film and to expand production of UK programmes and documentaries.

c. Funds to donate equipment to religious houses, clergymen, residences of the elderly, schools, etc.

Donations to EWTN in the UK

Can donations be given in the UK to EWTN?: EWTN is funded by donations. As EWTN's global reach and programming requirements continue to expand and diversify, so too do its related costs. Your donation becomes a vital link to allow the Eternal Word to be spread from country to country. You can donate here.
What about those wishing to donate from outside of the UK?: Donations in US dollars or Euros can be sent to EWTN; 5817 Old Leeds Road; Irondale, AL 35210; USA. Donations can also be made online using the secure form found on EWTN's web page here.