The lineup:

Programming highlights: (All times ET)

    * The Catholic Guy, hosted by Lino Rulli (weekdays, 5-8pm).  The
      34-year-old Rulli is the Emmy award-winning host and executive producer
      of the popular TV show Generation Cross and a former TV reporter for the
      CBS affiliate in Minneapolis. With a master’s degree in theology and a
      sometimes off-beat and humorous approach, Rulli has emerged a
      fan-favorite for younger generations of Catholics.

    * Speak Now with Dave and Sue Konig, hosted by Susan and David Konig
      (weekdays, 12-2pm).  She is a former newspaper columnist.  He is an
      award-winning actor and stand-up comedian.  They are married with four
      children and together will focus on married life, parenting and the
      issues facing today’s families.

    * Sleepless With SIRIUS, hosted by Father Paul Keenan (weekdays,
      11pm-3am).  Fr. Keenan, an experienced author and radio broadcaster,
      will help those who are seeking to add more meaning and purpose to their
      lives, and will be a comforting and understanding companion to those who
      are facing life’s daily struggles and concerns.

    * Live daily Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral (weekdays, 8-8:30am).
      Re-broadcast daily from 11-11:30am ET.

    * Notre Dame Athletics.  SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of
      the University of Notre Dame and will air all Fighting Irish football
      and basketball broadcasts on The Catholic Channel // 159.

Other on-air talent will include: Gus Lloyd, a former host on Spirit FM in Tampa, FL, whose morning show on SIRIUS will set the tone for the day with an overview of news and current events with scripture reflection and compelling interviews; Father Edward Beck, a Passionist priest, native New Yorker and noted author; and Bob Dunning, a veteran broadcaster, journalist and attorney from Sacramento, CA, who will engage his listeners by zeroing in on the issues facing today’s Catholics. These hosts will interact with leading figures in the Catholic Church, prominent people from the world of news, entertainment and the arts, as well as with their audience to provide high quality, dynamic Catholic programming.


Do you know what’s missing from this mix?

Education.

Yah, it’s radio – and radio thrives on this kind of programming, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that one of the elements that has made Catholic radio a going concern isn’t simply talking and chatting, but education. Whether it’s Catholic Answers, or EWTN radio replaying Fr. Pacwa’s and other’s television shows on air, or the programming that’s of the "Ask the Experts" type…there seems to be none of that here, although I’m sure these hosts will get asked questions, certainly.

I just think that one of the reasons Catholic radio appeals to people is that they feel they can learn something – reading is something that fits less and less into people’s schedules these days, and people really do enjoy snagging a bit of education on Catholic matters while they’re driving around.

If I were in charge (heh)…I’d have, for example, one time slot that rotating programming of this type. An hour every day that one day would be from someone with some knowledge of church history (and you’d call the program something quirky), the next would be on a saint or something, then the next day we’d have an hour on, say liturgy and music (which would be totally non-controversial, of course), the next day a focus on apologetics, etc. This Week in Rome…The Global Church…You get the drift.

I think what a sense is a lack (so far) of really focused programming on topic and areas of interest , and a determination to make this all personality-driven, but my sense is that even though there are good personalities on successful Catholic radio, that is not really what drives its success.

There are gaps in the announced schedule, and it doesn’t seem to be complete as announced, so perhaps there’s more to come.

And…I’d heard at the beginning of all this, they were going to incorporate Vatican Radio programming into the mix. Is that still the case?

Well…aside from my gut reaction-critique, it is a good enough start, with good people involved…so God bless and let’s pray that it’s successful in helping people authentically deepen their faith in Christ!


Ah…edited to add…I forgot that Sirius already carries EWTN, which features that kind of programming. Okay. I guess I take it back, then! But I’ll leave it up there for my musings on the appeal of Catholic radio in general..

Okay..and one more thing: the Popcaks will be doing a Sirius spot as well:

…the Pastoral Solutions Institute has been asked by Sirius Satellite Radio to provide a series of 90sec informational spots presenting Catholic answers to various marriage, family, and personal issues for its new venture, The Catholic Channel. The spots, titled, The Adventures of Family Man,  will air daily and be repeated several times throughout the day. 

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