Over 50 years ago, CatholicTV began broadcasting the Low Mass with then-Archbishop Richard J. Cushing. CatholicTV used to rely solely on word-of-mouth marketing. Now the 50-year old television station uses modern social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
On October 12, 1964, CatholicTV became the first full-time Catholic television station in the world. Since then, old technologies have been replaced by new. For instance, the original Mass was filmed in a chapel in the Archbishop’s residence. Nowadays, the Mass is filmed in a Chapel dedicated to St. Therese in a multi-million-dollar television station.
When most Catholics think of priests, they picture black and white collars, vestments, plain black shoes, and bibles. But Father Robert Reed, the Director of CatholicTV is anything but the stereotypical priest. In a typical day, he uses his Blackberry to tell Twitter followers exactly what he is doing, down to mundane things like sitting in the airport.
Not long ago, CatholicTV was using “old-school” 16 millimeter film and huge black cassettes for broadcasting. Nowadays, CatholicTV broadcasts 24 hours a day and is already filming many programs (like the Rosary) in high-definition.
All of this has emerged after facing years of adversity such as the 1970 incident in which the TV station was burnt down by an arsonist. CatholicTV is viewer-funded, so sometimes funding can be hard to come by, but viewers have faithfully responded with donations.
In 1999, the station began broadcasting its programming online via the station’s web site, http://www.catholictv.org/- making Boston the first Catholic diocese in the world broadcasting online. Since then, CatholicTV has gone national and the website has been redesigned and upgraded, using the latest media technology for online viewers. These enhancements have culminated in the website’s nomination for a “Webby” Award for 2009 Best Religion and Spirituality web site. Supporters can vote at http://pv.webbyawards.com/
In April, CatholicTV exhibited at “The Cable Show”- an elaborate trade show featuring names such as ESPN, FOX, and NBC, among others. Interestingly, the trade show proved to be a spiritual battleground with religious and pornography stations on the same floor. The “Cable Show” is just another example of how the 50-year old television station is using modern technology and means to evangelize. Jay Fadden, General Manager of CatholicTV recently said, “As Catholics, the faith is part of our lives and today’s technology allows us to share the faith, discuss it, and pray together in a very different but community-orientated way.”
On October 12, 1964, CatholicTV became the first full-time Catholic television station in the world. Since then, old technologies have been replaced by new. For instance, the original Mass was filmed in a chapel in the Archbishop’s residence. Nowadays, the Mass is filmed in a Chapel dedicated to St. Therese in a multi-million-dollar television station.
When most Catholics think of priests, they picture black and white collars, vestments, plain black shoes, and bibles. But Father Robert Reed, the Director of CatholicTV is anything but the stereotypical priest. In a typical day, he uses his Blackberry to tell Twitter followers exactly what he is doing, down to mundane things like sitting in the airport.
Not long ago, CatholicTV was using “old-school” 16 millimeter film and huge black cassettes for broadcasting. Nowadays, CatholicTV broadcasts 24 hours a day and is already filming many programs (like the Rosary) in high-definition.
All of this has emerged after facing years of adversity such as the 1970 incident in which the TV station was burnt down by an arsonist. CatholicTV is viewer-funded, so sometimes funding can be hard to come by, but viewers have faithfully responded with donations.
In 1999, the station began broadcasting its programming online via the station’s web site, http://www.catholictv.org/- making Boston the first Catholic diocese in the world broadcasting online. Since then, CatholicTV has gone national and the website has been redesigned and upgraded, using the latest media technology for online viewers. These enhancements have culminated in the website’s nomination for a “Webby” Award for 2009 Best Religion and Spirituality web site. Supporters can vote at http://pv.webbyawards.com/
In April, CatholicTV exhibited at “The Cable Show”- an elaborate trade show featuring names such as ESPN, FOX, and NBC, among others. Interestingly, the trade show proved to be a spiritual battleground with religious and pornography stations on the same floor. The “Cable Show” is just another example of how the 50-year old television station is using modern technology and means to evangelize. Jay Fadden, General Manager of CatholicTV recently said, “As Catholics, the faith is part of our lives and today’s technology allows us to share the faith, discuss it, and pray together in a very different but community-orientated way.”
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