Twenty years ago there wasn’t a single Catholic radio station in the country. Today, while Catholic radio still lags well behind Protestant radio, there are approximately 160 Catholic stations airing across the U.S., including networks such as Relevant Radio, Holy Spirit Radio, Ave Maria Radio, EWTN and Sirius XM’s “The Catholic Channel,” (although you need to purchase a special radio for that).
No matter how you look at it, radio remains an excellent source for information and evangelizing. It’s one of the few mediums that’s still free, and you can listen to it while you’re doing other things, including driving.
According to statistics, somewhere between 71-93% of adults listen to the radio at some time during the week.
Last evening, I had the pleasure of hearing Father Francis “Rocky” Hoffman, executive director at Relevant Radio, speak to a group of Catholic radio supporters.
He told inspiring stories about how Catholic radio has led to conversions, people coming back to the practice of their faith, saved lives and souls, and more.
As a former accountant, he has also calculated what he calls the “capital cost per hour of instruction,” and said that Catholic radio remains one of the most efficient methods of instruction.
He compared the “capital cost per hour of instruction” of Catholic radio with that of other Catholic instruction.
The “capital cost per hour of instruction” at the University of Notre Dame, he said, would be $500. The cost per hour of instruction at a Catholic retreat center would be $150. The cost per hour of instruction at a Catholic high school would be $125, and $100 at a Catholic elementary school.
By comparison, he said that the “capital cost per hour of instruction” via Catholic radio is about $6.
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and its typically a far more orthodox instruction than you’d get at the institutions listed.
Given the amount of time people spend at work and at leisure, IMO more hours are used in the USA watching TV than listening to radio. I wonder what the cost per viewer is of the Eternal Word TV Network founded by Mother Angelica near Birmingham, Alabama. Would this be more or less expensive “per viewer” or “per listener”? Any idea?
TeaPot562
I don’t like radio. I like to SEE people who are talking. I’d rather see more Catholic TV stations.
I wonder why these efforts are “grassroots” rather than by the official Church? Why haven’t the USCCB and Vatican launched their an official national/international network? It seems unthinkable that the Church, which waxed so eloquently about the importance and need for modern means of communication at the Second Vatican Council, fails to use its size, money and resources in radio and television!!! I’m sure money (fear) is the issue, but the grassroots efforts show it’s certainly doable. We need a pope and bishops that realize new evangelization must include modern media in all its forms! Be not afraid.
We had Relevant Radio in Pittsburgh for a while and I loved it. I learned so much just in the two hours commuting to and from work each day. I supported it as much as I could, but apparently, they didn’t have enough money to sustain it here and I really miss it. Listening to Father Corapi on the ride in to work was one of the blessings that contributed to my husband’s conversion to the Catholic faith. The importance of this type of evangelization cannot be overestimated. I pray that it will continue and prosper.
@Deacon Steve Miller - It’s my understanding that the USCCB did in fact try to launch a television network twenty-some years ago, but it folded. It is also worth noting that Vatican Radio was established in 1931.
While I would love to see more media-savvy ordinaries, their energies are most often best spent recognizing and cultivating the authentic expression of the talents and charisms already present in members of their flocks (cf. Card. George’s encouragement of Fr. Robert Barron’s brilliant apostolate).
Editorial correction: More than 20 years ago in Portland, Oregon.
KBVM Catholic Radio History….Back in time The late Bishop Paul Waldschmidt, CSC, began KBVM-FM’s first day of programming, December 8, 1989 with these words:
“I join with the hundreds of other men and women in the Archdiocese of Portland in thanking God for this day, a day that has been a dream and a hope for so many years, a day that is the beginning of a new era in communications in the Archdiocese of Portland, the day that KBVM-FM begins to broadcast the good news of Jesus Christ to metropolitan Portland.
I was glad to note the other day that Boston’s Catholic TV is negotiating with Comcast and Charter in an effort to spread its message. I hope it gomes about. But I find it strange that Charter didn’t pick the Eternal Word feed years ago. Certainly there are enough Catholics in Charter’s Los Angeles area. They’ve offered the Trinity Broadcast Network for decades.
I have XM radio and absolutely love The Catholic Channel. Its run by the Archdiocese of New York and Archbishop Dolan. Its worth every penny, especially The Catholic Guy. In fact, I learned about this website and Tim Drake through the Willits show on the channel.
I’m surprised The Catholic Channel or Sirius and XM weren’t mentioned in the article considering its popularity. Its all across the country and has “official” status in the Church. :)
Don’t forget the Catholic Channel on XM-Sirius Sat Radio.
Great article. Fr. Rocky is an outstanding human being. Much of the time I listen to Relevant Radio I feel like I’m in a University setting. Listening to the radio becomes a oasis of orthodox catechizes and thought provoking ideas spilling into culture, philosophy, theology, history, and personal spirituality. As a 22 year old Catholic attempting to live his faith in an extremely secular society and death-oriented culture, Relevant Radio is a breath of fresh air. The longer this network of stations stays on the air, the faster Catholic America will wake up. God Bless Relevant Radio!
As a neophyte, I owe much to Relevant Radio. When I first became aware of our station, it took me a while to start listening but when I did, I found Jeff Cavins, Teresa Tomeo, John Morales and many other very eloquent broadcasters, able to give me the heart of Catholicism and it was like rain on a thirsty plant. I soaked it up and it gave me courage. As a protestant in a evangelical church, the contemplation of Catholicism wasn’t even on the radar. It was a safe way to learn about the faith. It became my daily chance to learn more of the the things of God. I can’t say enough good about the ability of Catholic Radio to assist in the “new evangilization.”
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