Why is Catholic programming so boring?
Reading Amy Welborn’s entry announcing the EWTN will be broadcasting Mass from Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral in the Diocese of Phoenix, I felt the need to express some of my thoughts about Catholic programming — whether it be on EWTN, other stations, or even radio.
First of all, let me say that I do very much appreciate the work that EWTN and others do, particularly in educating people on the beliefs and faith of the Catholic Church. I have enjoyed many shows with Mother Angelica, Archbishop Sheen’s Life is Worth Living, the Journey Home, and a handful of others.
However, I’m a Catholic, and one who has an interest in exploring some of the deeper points of doctrine. So, if I tune in to Jeff Cavins and Scott Hahn talking about Scripture (as I have in past years), that’s the explanation.
But sometimes I yearn for something different than sitting down in a lecture hall. And, sometimes I yearn for something better than sitting my kids down for “Bible Treasure Chest” or “The Donut Man”. Sometimes I’d like to turn on a Catholic radio station that has more than just 12-24 hours of talk (and that is only on AM).
Yes, I know that better quality programming takes money — and Catholics are traditionally stingy with it — but there have got to be companies run by Catholics who can help fund some of these endeavors (rather than just relying upon donations and fund raising drives).
One thing is that there should not be a city in America without a Catholic radio station on FM (and hopefully more than one in some of the larger markets). Catholic radio could take a lot of tips from (evangelical) Christian radio in this respect. A station like WMBI out of Chicago (the radio extension of D.L. Moody’s Moody Bible Institute) has a good offering of preaching/teaching, news, commentary and music.
Then, there is a station like KLOVE, which plays contemporary Christian music 24 hours a day, but also throws in snippets of teaching, news, outreach, and commentary (complimented by a website).
The only potential Catholic alternative I’ve found to this is on the web at OmegaRock.com, which is aimed primarily at teens and young adults. Even some of the “filler” there, however, gets a bit cheesy. But at least their getting closer.
Television stations need to add some more interesting programs to the traditional line up — although I think one reason why they offer televised versions of the Mass, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, etc is mostly because that appeals to the older adult audiences — specifically targeting those that actually send money.
The thing is, television and radio are not Mass. They don’t have to be “sacred” (except when they are Mass!)
Let’s not be irreverent to the extent that it becomes difficult to distinguish us from the world, but lets also create a programming that reflects a Catholic culture that is in the world — while not of it. I believe it could make huge in-roads into overcoming the misunderstandings, jokes and objections that keep some — even Catholics — at a distance from the Church.
[tags]catholic, media, television, programming, radio, catholicsphere, wmbi, moody bible institute, klove, omegarock.com, culture, ewtn, church, religion, faith, music[/tags]
Preach it brother. If you want to hear some more interesting stuff, go online to some of the podcasts. Fr. Roderick has some great programming over at http://www.sqpn.com and there is a lot of programming listed at discipleswithmicrophones.org. I am assisting with a new program on sports and virtue at http://reclaimthegame.com/
Michael
Michael said this on March 23rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
[...] There is a very good posting over at CatholicSphere entitled ‘Why is Catholic programming so boring?’ The commentary is right on. It is unfortunate that there exists such an unmet spiritual hunger for quality Catholic programming. This is what Disciples with Microphones is supposed to be about - to meet this need and train others how to do so. We have a lot of work to do. Maybe this will wake us up a bit. Please take the time to read the posting. Unfortunately, anyone who is likely to read it is not the ones who need to hear the message. Oh well, I’m just glad Matt from CatholicSphere ’said’ it. [...]
Catholic Media Connections » Blog Archive » Why is Catholic programming so boring? said this on March 23rd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Michael,
Thanks for the information and links. I’ll definitely take a look and listen (actually, I’ve clicked around a bit and am listening to something right now. Hopefully I’ll find some good stuff to highlight in a future blog entry.
Thanks again!
Matt said this on March 23rd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Well, just recently I think your wish for quality non-boring programs done by Catholics has been answered. Sirius Satellite radio has its own Catholic Channel on Ch. 159. You can buy a radio or even just subscribe and listen online. Lino Rulli their afternoon eastcoast drive time host is anything but boring and I think he and the rest hosts should be supported by Catholics. I am sure they are tweaking the station a bit and will add additional programs on weekends. So, we should support non-boring Catholic radio and subscribe.
BTW.. With a subscription you also get EWTN and other good radio stations.
Pax
Marty said this on March 24th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Many of us have felt the same way over the years. It’s one reason that I started CatholicJukebox.com. Our radio and podcasts are about music by Catholics, but with a little edge. If you like klove, I think you’ll like catholicjukebox.com
All my com padres at SQPN.com feel the same way too. That is a typical comment of Fr. Roderick, why isn’t Catholic media up to par with the rest of the world?
I also think we’re starting to see it coming around with things like the new Catholic channel on Sirius Satellite radio. The shows are much more up paced.
And the more people like yourself cry out for what you want, I believe people will step up and produce quality programing.
George Leite said this on March 24th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I definately agree that EWTN should keep airing Rosay, Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Mass, and I do not believe it is only for “older Catholics.” These prayers are very powerful!! I am in my twenties and I look forward to praying the Rosary with Mother Angelica’s nuns every evening.
I think EWTN, as a religous network, primary responsibility is to educate people on the faith. While they can offer entertainment, I do not feel that should be their main venue #1 because secular films that contain virtually nothing objectionable to Church teaching are
virtually non-existant these days, and #2 people are so poorly catechized they need direct teaching.
Furthermore, many people have the unrealstic expectation that everyone who makes an appearance is living a stellar Catholic life. There have been cases where EWTN has aired secular personalities in the media who are making a positive difference but are not 100% Catholic on everything and EWTN has been accused of causing scandal. The bottom line is that they are under a lot of pressure, for even conservative Catholics loyal to Church teachings squabble about certain debateable issues , so I can understand why EWTN leans on the side of caution, and delivers sometimes (yawn) bland programming.
kristin said this on March 25th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Kristin,
I absolutely believe that EWTN should be airing those various devotions along with the Mass. I think they are very rich in connecting us to Jesus, our Lady, and the saints.
And, please forgive me if I gave the impression that I thought the station was only for older Catholics. I think that it has much to offer all Catholics, actually.
My issue is not necessarily about content, but about presentation. At present, I think that a majority of Catholic media outlets reach a limited Catholic audience. However, I think if presentation/format/etc (not content) were modified, we may be successful in reaching a wider audience — including non-Catholics.
There is a definite need for catechesis, and I think that those most in need of it are not being reached.
Pax!
Matt said this on March 26th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Interesting, what changes in format would you make?
kristin said this on March 26th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Well, on radio, I’d like to hear music mixed in with interesting, humorous and engaging personalities. Perhaps one or a few shows that would feature rock/pop/contemporary Catholic/Christian music. Throw in some 30-60 second spots that are like mini podcasts which are evangelistic in nature.
For television, creating some quality drama or sitcom series’ that are faith based, without being preachy or cheesy. These could be mixed in with similar 30-60 second evangelistic segments — sort of like EWTN does now with various prayers, mini homilies (like those from some priests like Fr. Pavone,etc), only with a bit more “flare”; something that caters to the “YouTube” generation.
Even 60-90 second versions of things like are appearing on SermonSpice.com.
In all honesty, I think there are some wonderful media creations available on the web. If there was a way to get some of that or a version of it to radio and television (and connect it back to the web for expanded coverage and depth — not to mention that one can drive audiences to the other), I think it could make some impact.
Just a few thoughts I had … and I’m quite certain that there are others out there with much better ideas — and ways to implement them — than I’ve mentioned here.
Pax!
Matt said this on March 27th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I just wanted to say thanks for the links and info you all have posted.
I’m presently working through many of the resources that have been linked/cited here and plan to put together a post in the near future highlighting those that I think really stand out.
I’ve already added Disciples With Microphones blog to my blogroll, and will add the additional music resources that I highlight in the future entry under the “Music” section in the side bar (and I might expand that to “Music and Media”.
If anyone has any additional resources for music, video or other media … be sure to post it.
Pax!
Matt said this on March 27th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
[...] I just listened to the “Rosary Army” podcast today for the first time, as part of my search for some good quality Catholic programming. [I’ve gotta thank the guys at “Disciples with Microphones” for tuning me into their site and podcast directory. I promise I’ll have a post soon on my impressions of Catholic podcasting and vodcasting. I’m trying to make my way through some of the different ones that are listed and listen regularly to ones that I find interesting, before commenting on them.] [...]
CatholicSphere » That Catholic Show: Explaining ‘Catholic Calisthenics’ said this on April 30th, 2007 at 4:30 pm