IRONDALE, Ala. — For the third consecutive year, EWTN Global Catholic Network has been awarded the 2015 Gabriel Award for Religious Television Station of the Year — a prestigious honor that acknowledges the network’s programming, community service and production values.

EWTN will receive the Gabriel Award at the 2015 Catholic Media Conference June 25 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel in Buffalo, N.Y.

“EWTN is the beacon of Catholic broadcast television. It is a consistent and true voice of the faith,” noted one of the Gabriel Award judges who participated in the annual competition, which is sponsored by the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals.

Another judge highlighted EWTN’s technical achievements, noting the high-quality imagery and on-screen graphics.

“As a viewer, you know the piece was promoting a Catholic worldview but never felt like you were being hit over the head with it. Very well done,” the judge said.

The Gabriel Awards recognize both religious and secular multimedia productions in the United States and Canada and honor participants within various categories, such as documentaries, short features, news, radio, television, Internet videos and film.

EWTN, which celebrates its 34th anniversary this year, provides broadcast satellite television and radio services, along with other multimedia networks, available to more than 240 million households within 140 countries across the world. The National Catholic Register newspaper and Catholic News Agency are services of EWTN.

“A Gabriel Award is especially meaningful to EWTN because the awards are presented for programs that uplift and nourish the human spirit and affirm the dignity of human persons — something EWTN strives to do every day,” said Michael Warsaw, EWTN chairman of the board and CEO.

“We thank the Catholic Academy for this special recognition,” Warsaw said, voicing gratitude for the award.

In addition to the Gabriel Award, EWTN’s television program Blessed2Play also received a certificate of merit for the production of the episode “Life of Christ.”

Blessed2Play, which airs on Fridays and Sundays, explores the faith lives of sports professionals and athletes. The host of the show, Ron Meyer, noted his gratitude for the recognition, saying he was thankful for all of the participants who made the show possible.

“I am grateful to the estimated 200 athletes, coaches, authors and broadcasters who have sacrificed their time to be guests on the show and make Blessed2Play what it is,” Meyer stated.

Doug Keck, EWTN president and chief operating officer, also recognized the performance of Peter Gagnon, the vice president of programming and production, Enrique Duprat, the vice president of Spanish programming, and John Elson, the director of program acquisitions and co-productions.

“The network’s programming is a result of a lot of hard work and prayers on behalf of many individuals,” Keck noted, saying that he was “proud that the work of the EWTN team is being recognized for excellence.”