Why are Protestants so good with radio and TV?

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In kindness I will say that the Protestant message is “Good News” and those receiving it react to it as such. In 50 years as a Catholic I can’t say that I understood how someone could refer to the Gospel message I received as “Good News” (Suffering saints, fasting, penance, purgatory, hell, rules, laws, and more laws, etc, etc,)

The Gospel message of the Bible - especially Jesus’ message is none of this - It is truly “Good News” A message of grace (Free gift, not deserved, earned or worked for). See the good thief!

Recognize that marvelous gift and your life will be changed. Accept the love of God and you can’t help but return it. You can’t help being changed by it, you don’t even think about it! The fruit of this love will be all sorts of external works. No thoughts of rewards - you just want to be wherever Jesus is.

Now that’s what I call GOOD NEWS!!! Who would not be attracted to that message? If you don’t get emotional and break out in tears over that- you have to question if you really believe the Gospel of Jesus.
 
First reaction- maybe not right, but something to think about-
they run it like a business- just like business apparently does better than government at running programs.
Protestant preachers got to get hired! They have to learn how to appeal to people, not because people “should” but because they want to-- watch and listen
 
So as I read some of the messages above I seem to feel that what some of you are saying is that many of the protestant TV evagelists are trying to spread the “good news” but sometimes we only notice the corrupt money grubbing ‘beg fest’ of some shows? The greed of some preachers overshadows the good of the others?

Which preachers/shows would be considered good and which would be put in with the ‘beg fest’?
 
You are thinking of Ernest W. Angley

I read a book of his about the “rapture”. It was a novel but it was very heavyhanded.
 
Like it or not, the protestants, especially the evangelicals, have been much, much more aggressive in their public outreach than Catholics have ever even considered. In addition to radio and tv outreach, their church programs for youth are often massive. If you doubt this, pick up a brochure for a large evangelical church and check out the numerous programs for youth. I have done this and been quite surprised. About two weeks ago I found out my daughter had been attending a religious discussion group held regularly at a local protestant megachurch. It had become something of a social get-together with friends. From visiting with herI learned that serious topics were being discussed with ordained clergy, but in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Sometimes the group adjourns to a coffee-house to continue discussion.

One advantage the big protestant churches enjoy is adequate ordained clergy. Some large churches in the Twin Cities advertise that they have up to eight pastors. This is of interest, when some sizeable Catholic churches here are lucky to have one priest. In fact our church just lost a long time deacon who is going to serve several inner city churches that have no priest.
 
Protestants have long dedicated themselves to such outreaches. So they have become experienced at it and understand how to run effective programming. Catholics, on the other hand, are just getting their feet wet and experiencing growing pains. Often, the people involved in these apostolates don’t even know understand the medium particularly well and how to best use it to their advantage. Frankly, the most talented people tend to go into other professional areas, and those who work the lesser paying Church type of jobs aren’t always the brightest lights and this generally shows.

The Protestant stations have also long functioned on an infulx of outside dollars. Between early investment in FM (before it became overly expensive), the abily for some supercongregations to financially support things, the influx of some investors dollars who could grow networks (Salem, for example), and the fact that much of what is often on “Christian” stations is really brokered radio (where individual apostolates produce their own programming and buy time to have their shows airred), it has become sustainable.

Catholic apostolates, on the other hand, have high costs to break in and purchase a station or enter into an LMA to have their programming as the standard bearer on the station, then have to produce their own stuff or take something off a satellite that somebody else has put the money, time, and dedication into.

There really just isn’t that much Catholic radio out there, There are individual apostolates which are working on their own thing. And EWTN both produces and syndicates. Ave Maria has been active for several years with trying to offer a format which is more well attuned to the AM broadcast market. And now Starboard is making an attempt of their own to develop programming and a network.

Finally, Catholics have an interesting problem in that we are one Church and yet have people coming from all kinds of different perspectives. So who do you try to make happy? Who do you try to reach in your audience? What kind of stuff do you focus on more or less? Can you make the diocese happy while also going about things in a somewhat independent manner? Will the priests be upset if a host comes out and criticizes them? How will the programming be received by an audience in one part of the broadcast area versus another? Or from one diocese to another? Will non-Catholics be open to it? Will some Catholics be offended?

In fact, there’s a fair amount of debate as to what the best direction is for Catholic radio. What do you focus on? Spiritual stuff? Catechesis? Aplogetics? News and Current Events? Talk? Caller focused shows? Guest intensive? Fast Paced? Long form discussions? Music? Should it sound more like a heavily religious station or ought it be more of a stealth Catholicism approach? Is the station your complete package that people can tune into and stay with all day or is it mostly a place where they can come for particular shows for enrichment?

Who is you audience, even? Among Catholics, there are all kinds of levels where people are in their faith journeys, in their perspectives on the world around them, in their interests? Is the desire to reach out to lapsed Catholics or those who are mostly cultural and habitual in their practice of the faith? Do you want to be evangelical and if so, how? Are you trying to compete with other radio stations in some way? Are you trying to offer something unique? What age group do you want to reach? What gender?

Is a station even approching the apostolate with these questions at all? Or are they going into things with the attitude that they just need to do whatever they feel led to do by the Holy Spirit no matter how great or odd it may seem? And is the work of the Holy Spirit in collaboration or conflict with these questions?
 
(Addendum - my post was a bit too long and I had to cut this)

So there are a LOT of questions which need to be sorted out.
Only time will tell if Catholic Radio/TV can grow and be successful or not and what direction it will ultimately take.
 
You made a lot of excellent points. The Catholic Church is much more accepting of different points of view than the Protestants. We have much more liberty in the exercise of our spirituality than Protestants do. Just look at all the various degrees of difference that we accept, and rightly so, in the practice of Orthodox and Orthopraxis of Catholicism.

The major difference between us though is the fact that we are a Sacramental community. We depend on the Sacraments to glue us together. Our culture is a sacramental culture, so we do not count on out personal salvation through the personal acceptance of Jesus as our Savior in a fixed moment in time. We know that we all have the strength of sacramental grace working in us at every moment of our lives. And we know that we have this whether or not we prefer Latin Tridentine Masses or Guitar Masses; whether or not we prefer to abstain from meat on Friday and feast on Lobster, or eat meat on Friday and substitute it for a round of bible reading with the people confined in the hospital.

The other major difference between us is that we believe in the New Testament Commandment to sell all that we have and follow Jesus Christ. This means that we have to do what He does, not just believe that we are saved.

Catholicity doesn’t translate well on TV. It’s too hard. It’s too personal. It’s too demanding. It’s too practical. And it is too accepting of different expressions of its own Orthodoxy.
 
This is a great question and one I have been thinking about for thirty years or so. I think the reason is because we aren’t here to entertain the audience.

I believe it also reinforces the fact that without the Holy Spirit we couldn’t hold two member together for a week. LOL

People who have a need to feel that their faith holds great value present their message the best they can. We in the Church have the truth and the truth speaks for itself. We don’t need to sell it.
 
Yes it is possible to listen to Serius radio in your car and in your house.

You just have to spend a little more money, I think $50. You will get for your 50 a jam box type of affair that you slide the Serius box into.

You can also get a docking unit that allows you to listen to Serius radio through your component system if you have one.
 
I think there are two different objectives that catholic mass media can address. One is direct evangelism (to non-religious, non-Catholics, non-practicing Catholics). The other is to support practicing Catholics (inform, encourage, inspire).
Most of the programming I have heard seems to me to be the later. And it is probably listened to by those who already have the desire to learn more about their faith. I think a case can be made that by strengthening the faith and knowledge of practicing Catholics we will see those Catholics more willing and able to fulfill there role as the true front line of evangelization. We will also get a stronger church.
I Live in Green Bay WI. I used to get radio broadcasts from the EWTN group. (I Loved it.) The new Relevant Radio network headquartered here). Has replaced many of the programming that I learned so much from with their own. (How I miss Catholic answers live). I cannot tell if the new RR programming is intended to evangelize more or is just intended to reach a different catholic demographic. I wonder how well it will work.
 
I agree with many of the comments made above, especially points that Catholics don’t seem yet to have mastered the medium. Here are some things I think Catholic broadcasters should do if they want to reach out in a new evangelization to the millions in the US who are unchurched.
  1. Vastly improve their musical offerings. The protestants do this with great effect, especially in the mornings. Their seasonal music, particularly Christmas, is outstanding. They have technically excellent music that is modern and upbeat.
  2. Get away from apologetics. It has been asserted over and over that the public has a short attention span and likes sound bites. Regrettable as that is, I agree. That being the case you can’t reach out to the public with theological arguments. They aren’t going to listen to a discussion about the doctrine of transubstantiation or get excited about quiz shows that posit questions about the faith. You have to reach people where they are in their journey through life.
  3. Use common sense, subtlety and wit to bring people around; not ham-fisted assertions of authority that turn many people off. All the philosophy taught in Catholic schools seems to be forgotten when broadcasts are planned. Catholic broadcasters fail miserably when it comes to constructing Aristotelian arguments using the commonplace to teach lessons. Jesus did this repeatedly in his parables to great effect.
On the other hand, if the goal is to “preach to the choir,” they are doing just fine! I enjoy listening to Fr. John Corapi and Kresta in the Afternoon; I also liked Jeff Cavins before he left the morning radio broadcast. Secretly I don’t want to see Catholic radio “dumbed down.”
 
Quote from above: People who have a need to feel that their faith holds great value present their message the best they can. We in the Church have the truth and the truth speaks for itself. We don’t need to sell it.

Well, maybe, but then what about the great commission given by Christ to go into all the world? And, why is the Holy Father urging a new evangelization?
 
[My question is this, why are protestants so successful with radio and TV networks and Catholics so far behind? This is not about the quality of programming as much as the shear number of stations.

Is there a TV and radio gap?
[/QUOTE]
Yes.
They are in the game in a way we are not. First, we have not had anyone of the standing of Fulton J Sheen in the national imagination for the past 30 yrs since his passing from the scene.
This in part is because he lived during a Gold Age of TV which gave rise also to making a star of folks like Oral Roberts and Norman Vincent Peale.
TV Mystique in the world of 150 channels an a ready remote is dilluted. The last figure of comprable stature was John Cardinal O’Connor and he was best known in the New York Area.
Also, in the era after Vat II too many people in authority decided that Catholic Apologetics was too shrill, so we put the Flying Nun and teens singing Peter Paul and Mary tunes and Kum bay Yah as the faces to show the faith to the world.
***Many liberal, elitist cafeteria Catholics, like Gary Wills are apopleptic with paroxyms of rage at the kind of outreach we have at Catholic Answers. ***
Heck, they want to reinvent the Catholic Faith as a kinder, gentler, feminist version of Presbyterianism with a few icons left in the sanctuary and a the Tabernacle maintained as a sentimental relic in a cupboard next to the microwave oven in the the kitchen serving the fellowship hall.
The protestants have more freedom of action and they can readily build empires that are vacuum cleaners for sucking money out of the faithful that belongs in the local church, Catholic or protestant.
Authentic Catholic ministries have not made the big bux for themselves or their sponsors through media.
Anyway, thats what I think.
But we can and must change it and there is a need for other voices besides EWTN, lest we become ghettoized.
Too tired. Must to bed,…
 
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Malachi4U:
I think it is TBN but one protestant station has Bishop Sheen on it! I try to record it and watch it on Wednesdays. Amazingly, when you look at 40-50 year old protestant entertainment, oh I mean evangilization programing, it seems old, out dated and hicksville and not good at begging for your money. With Bishop Sheen his programs look like they could have been made yesterday (except the B&W ones) ond he doesn’t beg for your cash to be “saved”. His Catholic message applies today as well as yesterday and seems like it will endure tomorrow. Praise God for honest TV evagilizers like Bishop Sheen. Even more of the others could follow him.
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Malachi4U:
I think it is TBN but one protestant station has Bishop Sheen on it! I try to record it and watch it on Wednesdays. Amazingly, when you look at 40-50 year old protestant entertainment, oh I mean evangilization programing, it seems old, out dated and hicksville and not good at begging for your money. With Bishop Sheen his programs look like they could have been made yesterday (except the B&W ones) ond he doesn’t beg for your cash to be “saved”. His Catholic message applies today as well as yesterday and seems like it will endure tomorrow. Praise God for honest TV evagilizers like Bishop Sheen. Even more of the otherscould follow him.
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Hooray,Malachi! Yes, you are absolutely right,son! Bishop Sheen was a radio personality in the 1930’s and the Dumont network picked him up to do a 30-minute show, eventally called, Life Is Worth Living, which pre-dated protestant evangelical programming by several years.

Many current religious television personalities can recount years when they say they have learned professional electronic communication skills from Bishop Sheen, and even the Holy Father told interviewers that he learned proper English from Sheen’s tape recordings.

Best wishes,
Sharon Watern
 
Protestants may be better at getting TV and Radio time, but their programming is not better than Catholic Programming. I think EWTN is very elegant in their simplicity, also you never get any protestant bashing. I have seen some subtle and not so subtle anti-catholicism on TBN and have heard it on Protestant radio stations. If I had a criticism for EWTN it would be that they might want to consider putting on Movies Such as “Our Lady of Fatima”, “The Song of Bernadette” “Its a Wonderful Life” instead of “Life on the Rock” forty times a week.

I am a reservist from Chicago and have been mobilized to Tampa, FL, I sure wish I had relevant radio down here. I would agree that Morning Air with Jeff Cavins was a great show. They need to find a new host who can make it work.

And finally, from the old broadcasts of Bishop Sheen I would have to say he was the best, however, I would put Fr. John Korapi up against any of those protestans ministers on TV.
 
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Anglo-catholic:
In kindness I will say that the Protestant message is “Good News” and those receiving it react to it as such. In 50 years as a Catholic I can’t say that I understood how someone could refer to the Gospel message I received as “Good News” (
***I too used this rationalization to leave the Catholic Church. Why worry about sin and saying the act of contrition. ***

The Protestant path seemed like simple common sense. In reality it breaks in one of two directions; cheap grace, bolstered by false assurance of absolving yourself or ultra legalism. Visit any little pious bible chapel and watch what happens when someone comes in with their hair too long, too short or starts smoking, or joins a self help group to quit smoking that is not 'christian .
***Calvinists can be damned legalistic. That is why I went from the bible chapel to Methodism. Heck, its almost Catholic, but without the responsibility. Besides, great hymns, good preaching, engaging sunday school classes, an almost eucharistic approach to communion. ***
Many fallen away Catholics find Methodism a good fit. Anglo Catholicism would have made me homesick sooner.
The problem with the Methodist Sanctuary is not that the people don’t love Jesus, or that He is not present among the people in that warm fuzzy kind of way when you hold hands and sing ‘blest be the tie that binds’.
The problem is there is no Sanctus in the Sanctuary because the Tabernacle has been excluded and replaced with a mere book on a Table and divine sacrifice with a man, a very nice and well educated and compassionate man, but a man giving a lecture.
God is present, but not in the way He instituted. The Eucharistic Sacrifice is not a matter of indifference.
***We love the theif on the Cross too by the way. As a matter of fact, Catholics, all things being equal, usually have a better handle on the passion story, because meditating on the suffering Christ, the Stations of the Cross, the Seven Last Words, has always been seen as a means of deepening ones conversion. ***
And we see the connection between the Passion, the Last Supper and the Incarnation, which is why Catholics get why Jesus bequeathed His Mother to the Beloved Disciple.

As an Anglo Catholic, you still hold to these connections more than say a presbyterian, so you value Catholic Treasures. You simple want them at what you feel is a more reasonable price.****

Suffering saints, fasting, penance, purgatory, hell, rules, laws, and more laws, etc,

So what would you say to the Christians who were martyred by Valerian or Diocletian? Or those being murdered today in the Sudan? Would you send them a copy of the Jabez Prayer book or The Purpose Driven Church? Is there really too much penance in the Church? I saw more cars in the lot at the abortion mill this morning than I saw Catholics in line for confession and I see everybody taking communion.
I am so grateful to have saints like Benedict, Francis of Assisi and St Patrick to teach me how to live for Christ. Indeed those three are admired far beyond the borders of the Catholic Church.
***I will never leave the church again. There is nothing in Christ in protestant Christianity that is true and good that I am deprived of as a Catholic and to be outside Her is to be without treasured the Saviour Himself bequeathed to me. ***
But I can readily understand, that life can be more agreeable as a protestant. In the end, I came to understand I could no more walk away from the call of my Catholic Sacramental graces by calling myself a born again or a Methodist than I could swim the Atlantic by calling myself a fish.
Yours in Peace and Christ,
Steve
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I didn’t read all of your answers in detail, so maybe someone already said this. I have a theory about why Protestants have such successful media stations, and it is that there is such an extreme hunger for Jesus among Protestants.

That hunger for Him cannot be satisfied in the ways that many Catholics take for granted. They do not have access to Him in the ordinary repeatable sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. There is something within the soul of every believer that longs for Jesus and to be always nearer to Him.

Protestants try to respond to that unsatified hunger in a variety of ways. They seek for Him eagerly and obsessively in his Word, they look for Him in their fellowship with their immediate community, they try as best they know how to experience Him in their worship and music, and they work hard at their media endeavors always trying to stir up the Faith that is within them. Yes, they do experience Our Lord in all of those ways. But a full experience of Him eludes them.

We shouldn’t be so surprised, but rather pray for our separated brethren that they may come to know the fullness of the Church Jesus left to nourish us on this journey. “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You”. St. Augustine :gopray2:
 
For those of you unable to get EWTN on local radio, you might look into an inexpensive shortwave radio receiver…
 
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