Corporate brand
UnclaimedA nonprofit global Catholic media network providing television, radio, news, publishing, and digital programming.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
EWTN, short for the Eternal Word Television Network, is an American nonprofit Catholic media organization headquartered in Irondale, Alabama. Founded by the Franciscan nun Mother Angelica, the network began regular television broadcasting on August 15, 1981, from a small studio at the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. It developed from a modest religious television project into a multinational media operation whose output includes television channels, radio services, news reporting, print publishing, streaming, websites, mobile products, and religious retail. The network’s core purpose is the production and distribution of Catholic teaching, worship, news, commentary, and cultural programming. Its schedule has included daily Mass, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, catechetical series, interviews, children’s programming, documentaries, call-in shows, and coverage of major events in the life of the Catholic Church. EWTN also provides Spanish-language services and has distributed programming through cable, satellite, terrestrial affiliates, shortwave, SiriusXM, connected-TV platforms, and online video. Its programming frequently covers papal visits, World Youth Days, episcopal installations, Christmas and Easter liturgies, conclaves, and other major ecclesiastical events. Mother Angelica initially filled the schedule with a mixture of original Catholic programs, material supplied by dioceses and other Catholic producers, selected programming from external Christian broadcasters, children’s shows, and some secular reruns. The schedule expanded during the 1980s, and satellite distribution enabled EWTN to move to continuous broadcasting. From the late 1980s onward, the network increased its in-house production, introduced regular Rosary broadcasts, and gradually developed a more explicitly theological and traditionally oriented identity. Daily televised Mass began in 1991. High-definition distribution followed later, and the network expanded its online and connected-device presence during the 2010s. EWTN’s media portfolio extends beyond its original television operation. It operates a 24-hour radio service distributed through terrestrial affiliates, satellite radio, and internet platforms. It acquired the National Catholic Register in 2011 and also owns Catholic News Agency, giving the organization a newspaper and news-agency presence alongside its broadcast operations. Its news division maintains operations in Washington, D.C., and has reported from the Vatican and other international locations. The organization is governed by a nonprofit board of trustees rather than public shareholders. EWTN has traditionally described itself as viewer supported, relying primarily on donations and revenue from its religious catalogue rather than conventional commercial advertising or direct financial support from the Vatican or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This funding model is closely associated with its recurring appeals for audience contributions. Mother Angelica hosted the flagship program Mother Angelica Live until serious health problems in 2001 led her to withdraw from active broadcasting. She subsequently lived a cloistered life and died in 2016. Leadership and governance were transferred to a lay board in 2000, and Michael P. Warsaw became a central executive and board leader. EWTN remains an active Catholic media brand with a broad international distribution footprint, although its editorial and cultural orientation has also made it a subject of debate within the Catholic Church and among media critics.
History
Mother Angelica, a member of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, established the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale, Alabama, in 1962. During the 1970s she became known for religious lectures and for producing pamphlets, audio recordings, and video material. Appearances on Christian television convinced her that a dedicated Catholic broadcasting service could reach a large audience with relatively modest facilities. EWTN was founded in 1980 and commenced regular programming on August 15, 1981. Its first studio was a converted garage at the monastery. The initial schedule contained only a few hours of daily programming, including Mother Angelica’s own program, a Sunday Mass, older Catholic broadcasts, children’s material, and programs supplied by dioceses and other producers. Some secular programming was used to fill the schedule in the early years. The daily schedule expanded during the 1980s, and a satellite-distribution change in 1987 allowed the network to broadcast continuously. As EWTN became more self-sufficient in production, it introduced daily Rosary broadcasts and additional educational programming. Daily Mass from the monastery grounds began in 1991. The network’s output gradually moved away from secular filler and toward Catholic liturgy, doctrine, apologetics, news, and devotional programming. EWTN also developed a radio operation. In 1992 it established WEWN, a shortwave station near Birmingham, Alabama, and in 1996 announced that its radio signal would be offered by satellite to American AM and FM stations. A later agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio extended the service to satellite-radio listeners. The network’s relationship with Catholic institutional authority and internal governance evolved over time. During an apostolic visitation in 2000, Mother Angelica transferred control of EWTN to a lay board. She continued to be a highly influential founder and broadcaster, but a major stroke and related health problems in 2001 ended her regular live hosting. Repeats of her programs continued under archival titles. She spent her later years in seclusion at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, and died in 2016. EWTN’s public identity became more traditionally oriented during the 1990s. Mother Angelica’s criticism of a World Youth Day presentation in 1993 brought national attention to her disagreements with progressive or post-conciliar trends in Catholic life. She later criticized Cardinal Roger Mahony over a pastoral document concerning the Eucharist and subsequently offered a conditional apology. These episodes contributed to perceptions of EWTN as a conservative Catholic media voice, although its output has also included liturgy, prayer, educational material, news, and general religious programming. The organization broadened its publishing and news activities in the twenty-first century. It acquired the National Catholic Register in January 2011 and assumed full control the following month. It also operates Catholic News Agency, with reporting operations in Washington, Latin America, and Europe. Its television news operation produces programs such as EWTN News Nightly, while other established programs have included The Journey Home and Life on the Rock. Distribution has expanded from cable and satellite to digital platforms. By the late 2010s, EWTN programming was available through thousands of television affiliates and through services and devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, YouTube, radio streaming, and the network’s own websites. Spanish-language programming is available across multiple platforms. EWTN continues to present itself as a nonprofit, viewer-supported organization whose mission is Catholic evangelization and media distribution on a global scale.
- 2011
National Catholic Register acquisition
[1]EWTN acquired the National Catholic Register, strengthening its publishing operations.
- 2001
Mother Angelica ends regular live hosting
[1]Health problems led the founder to retire from regular live broadcasts.
- 2000
Governance passes to a lay board
[1]Mother Angelica transferred control of EWTN to a board of lay trustees during a period of ecclesiastical scrutiny.
- 1992
WEWN radio station is established
[1]EWTN launched its shortwave radio operation in Alabama.
- 1991
Daily televised Mass begins
[1]The network began televising Mass daily from a chapel on the monastery grounds.
- 1987
Satellite distribution expands
[1]A more favorable satellite channel enabled the network to expand toward 24-hour broadcasting.
- 1981
First television broadcast
[1]EWTN began regular broadcasting on August 15 from Irondale, Alabama.
- 1980
EWTN is founded
[1]Mother Angelica created the Eternal Word Television Network as a Catholic broadcasting project.
- 1962
Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is established
[1]Mother Angelica founded the Alabama monastery that later housed EWTN’s first studio.
Products and positioning
A viewer-supported, global Catholic media network focused on evangelization, liturgy, doctrine, religious news, and Catholic cultural commentary.
Television network · 1981
EWTN Television
The core television service broadcasts around the clock and focuses on Catholic liturgy, prayer, catechesis, news, interviews, documentaries, children’s programs, and cultural material. It distributes original productions alongside selected programming from Catholic institutions and producers. Coverage of papal events, major liturgies, World Youth Days, and other church occasions is a notable part of the service. English and Spanish offerings are distributed through cable, satellite, affiliates, and digital platforms.
Radio network · 1992
EWTN Radio
EWTN Radio provides Catholic talk, worship, news, devotional, and educational programming. Some programs are adapted from television, while others are produced specifically for radio. Distribution has included terrestrial affiliates, shortwave, satellite radio, and online audio. The service has carried call-in formats such as Open Line, in which hosts address questions about Catholic faith and practice.
Religious news service
EWTN News
EWTN’s news operation produces television, radio, web, and written reporting about the Catholic Church, the Vatican, religion, and related public affairs. Its output includes the television program EWTN News Nightly and reporting from Washington, Europe, Latin America, and the Vatican.
Newspaper and digital publication · 1924
National Catholic Register
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper and digital publication founded in Denver in 1924. EWTN acquired it in 2011, adding print and online journalism to the network’s media portfolio.
News agency
Catholic News Agency
Catholic News Agency is a Catholic news service owned by EWTN. It publishes reporting and analysis through bureaus and contributors serving North American, Latin American, European, and international audiences.
Controversies
1997
Dispute with Cardinal Roger Mahony
Mother Angelica criticized a pastoral letter issued by Cardinal Roger Mahony concerning the Eucharist and made comments questioning the document’s theological emphasis. Mahony viewed the remarks as an accusation of heresy, and Mother Angelica later issued a conditional apology.
1993
Mother Angelica’s World Youth Day criticism
During a broadcast from World Youth Day, Mother Angelica strongly criticized a Stations of the Cross presentation and broader trends in the American Catholic Church. Archbishop Rembert Weakland publicly condemned the remarks as divisive and offensive. The episode contributed to EWTN’s reputation as a more traditionally oriented Catholic media voice.
Brand decisions
2011
Acquisition of the National Catholic RegisterM&ABackground
EWTN was extending beyond broadcasting into Catholic journalism and publishing.
Action taken
EWTN acquired the National Catholic Register and assumed full control in February 2011.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a long-running newspaper and digital publication to EWTN’s media portfolio.
2000
Transfer of control to a lay boardStrategyBackground
An apostolic visitation examined questions concerning Mother Angelica’s authority over the network and monastery.
Action taken
Mother Angelica transferred control of EWTN to a board of lay trustees.
Aftermath
Governance became more institutionally separated from the founder while her spiritual and public influence continued.
1991
Launch of daily televised MassProduct launchBackground
EWTN was increasingly emphasizing original Catholic programming and regular devotional content.
Action taken
The network began televising Mass every day from the monastery grounds.
Aftermath
Daily liturgical programming became one of the network’s defining offerings.
1987
Move toward continuous satellite broadcastingStrategyBackground
EWTN sought to increase the scale and consistency of its distribution beyond its initial limited daily schedule.
Action taken
The network expanded satellite distribution and moved toward a round-the-clock broadcast schedule.
Aftermath
The change materially broadened EWTN’s potential audience and supported the development of a global religious network.
Recent events
Reported
EWTN announces weekly radio show[3]
EWTN announced that it would launch the weekly radio show “Conversations with Consequences” on Feb. 1. The program is a co-production of EWTN and Guadalupe Radio Network and was scheduled to premiere on EWTN Radio.
Reported
EWTN documentary wins Best Documentary at Mirabile Dictu festival[4]
The English-language version of EWTN's original film “J.R.R. Tolkien – An Unexpected Friend,” co-produced by EWTN and Diego Blanco Albarova, won the Best Documentary category at the 2019 Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival in Rome.
Sources4 sources
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