Posted on 12/12/2006 8:40:55 AM PST by Aquinasfan
NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Archdiocese of New York and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI - News) announced today that The Catholic Channel will debut Tuesday, September 26th exclusively on SIRIUS channel 159. The lifestyle radio channel will air nationally 7 days a week/24 hours a day, and will feature contemporary talk and live daily Mass from Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
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 the latest in the world of entertainment, the arts and sports. Daily program hosts and guests will include members of the clergy and distinguished laity from across America.
Programming on The Catholic Channel will also include human-interest stories and inspirational themes, reflections on Scripture, Church history, sacred music, shows offering spiritual guidance, and football and basketball games from the University of Notre Dame.
His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, will be a prominent contributor to The Catholic Channel. The Cardinal will make frequent appearances on the channel and will be a regular guest of the various programs where he will address what is happening in the Archdiocese of New York and other significant issues in the Church. In addition, Cardinal Egan will be a regular celebrant and homilist for the Masses broadcast from Saint Patrick's Cathedral on The Catholic Channel.
"The Catholic Channel will engage listeners with exceptional Catholic programming delivered in a contemporary format," said Cardinal Egan. "This is a unique and unprecedented opportunity for the Catholic Church to combine its message and its teaching with the most modern communications medium available, in order to reach out to people wherever they are in life, and address what is on their minds and in their hearts."
"Together with the Archdiocese, we have assembled an exceptional cast of hosts whose talent and experience will produce some of the most compelling Catholic programming on the air," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. "The Catholic Channel will be an important component in a SIRIUS lineup that offers listeners the best radio on radio."
Programming highlights: (All times ET)
* The Catholic Guy, hosted by Lino Rulli (weekdays, 5-8pm). The 34-year-old Rulli is the Emmy award-winning host and executive producer of the popular TV show Generation Cross and a former TV reporter for the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis. With a master's degree in theology and a sometimes off-beat and humorous approach, Rulli has emerged a fan-favorite for younger generations of Catholics.
* Speak Now with Dave and Sue Konig, hosted by Susan and David Konig (weekdays, 12-2pm). She is a former newspaper columnist. He is an award-winning actor and stand-up comedian. They are married with four children and together will focus on married life, parenting and the issues facing today's families.
* Sleepless With SIRIUS, hosted by Father Paul Keenan (weekdays, 11pm-3am). Fr. Keenan, an experienced author and radio broadcaster, will help those who are seeking to add more meaning and purpose to their lives, and will be a comforting and understanding companion to those who are facing life's daily struggles and concerns.
* Live daily Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral (weekdays, 8-8:30am). Re-broadcast daily from 11-11:30am ET.
* Notre Dame Athletics. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the University of Notre Dame and will air all Fighting Irish football and basketball broadcasts on The Catholic Channel // 159.
Other on-air talent will include: Gus Lloyd, a former host on Spirit FM in Tampa, FL, whose morning show on SIRIUS will set the tone for the day with an overview of news and current events with scripture reflection and compelling interviews; Father Edward Beck, a Passionist priest, native New Yorker and noted author; and Bob Dunning, a veteran broadcaster, journalist and attorney from Sacramento, CA, who will engage his listeners by zeroing in on the issues facing today's Catholics. These hosts will interact with leading figures in the Catholic Church, prominent people from the world of news, entertainment and the arts, as well as with their audience to provide high quality, dynamic Catholic programming.
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. 161, faith-based programming provided by FamilyNet, the broadcast arm of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 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.
Anyone heard this? I'm looking for your impressions.
I think I will stick with EWTN
They actually started last week because they were waiting for Cardinal George to get better.
From the people who I have talked about it have been favorably impressed with the programming so far. The show The Catholic Guy with Lino Rulli is pretty good.
I was interviewed last week on his show and since then he has also interviewed many other notable Catholic bloggers.
I pretty much stick with EWTN, but it looks like The Catholic Channel won't totally suck, something that had initially guess would happen.
Quote: "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."
Does that mean that it will promote abortion, birth control, the ordination of women, and the lack of a need for regular worship attendance? That seems to be what's happening in the *American* Catholic Church in the 21st century.
That's good, because I had the same fear. There's room for a loose Catholic talk show format. Hopefully TCC will be a nice complement to EWTN.
Interesting. Yet another reason to get Sirius. I've been tempted as of late.
After listening to it for two days, I can say that this station is truly awful.
This channel is truly a reflection of the "Happy Clappy" Church today.
If you want happy talk, if you want psychology lite, if you the American liberal catholic church - this station is for you.
What you won't get is any sense that this is a Catholicity.
And they thought this would beat EWTN. Right.
I'd rather listen to true-believing communists than this pablum. Nothing will drive any sane person out of the Church faster.
Yes.
I don't subscribe to Sirius, so unless this gets picked up locally I won't probably hear it, anyway.
We've written to XM to try to get them to air EWTN. I'm not really interested in listening to anything else, especially after reading some of the "reviews", lol.
This post is for all the respondents. I know little about satellute radio except that EWTN is contracted with Sirius' offerings. Does anyone care to recommed any Sirius hardware? I'm particularly interested in a portable unit I can use like a Walkman. What is available? I've seen one unit, called the Stilleto, I believe. I'd be interested in your opinions.
Thanks...
Thanks for the flag. Great news for me because we have Sirius as part of our satellite TV package.
***I think I will stick with EWTN***
Me too. We actually have a brand-new (on air only about 2 months) Catholic Radio station here in North Texas which broadcasts programs from EWTN and Ave Maria Radio. KXEB 910 AM for anyone who's interested...
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