May 12, 2015 / 15:49 pm
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 which acknowledges the Network's programming, community service, and production values.
"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 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 multi-media productions in the United States and Canada, and honors participants within various categories such as documentaries, short features, news, radio, television, internet videos, and film.
EWTN, who celebrated their 34th anniversary this year, provides broadcast satellite television and radio services, along with other multi-media networks, available to over 240 million households within 140 countries across the world.
"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 Chief Executive Officer
"We thank the Catholic Academy for this special recognition," Warsaw said, voicing gratitude for the award.
In addition to the Gabriel Award, EWTN's own 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, the EWTN President and Chief Operating Officer, also recognized the performance of the Vice President of Programming and Production, Peter Gagnon, Vice President of Spanish Programming, Enrique Duprat, and the Director of Program Acquisitions & Co-productions, John Elson.
"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."
EWTN will receive the Gabriel Award on Thursday, June 25 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel in Buffalo, New York.