EWTN Global Catholic Network has announced that it will cease broadcasts on its shortwave radio service, WEWN, on Oct. 31 after 34 years of operation.
The decision was announced on Friday by EWTN’s board of governors.
From its Shelby County, Ala., transmitter site, WEWN operated on 12050 kHZ and 15610 kHz, using 250 kW ERP. It used four Continental 420C transmitters capable of 500 kW each, according to the Alabama Broadcast Media page. WEWN had been on the air with a reduced operating schedule.
According to a network release, several factors prompted the shutdown, including what it deemed as “massive” declines in listenership due to the widespread availability of mobile devices, terrestrial and satellite radio and digital platforms even across remote regions.
EWTN also cited antiquated transmission infrastructure and high operating and maintenance costs.
“As we shift from shortwave to newer and more far-reaching distribution channels, we remain grateful for the coworkers and benefactors who sustained the service for so long and committed to expanding access to faithful Catholic content,” said Michael P. Warsaw, chairman of the board and CEO of EWTN.
Warsaw expressed gratitude for the late Dutch philanthropist Piet Derksen and his wife, Trudy, whose $26 million gift made the construction of the WEWN transmitting facility possible, helping EWTN foundress Mother Angelica advance the network’s mission.
According to Radio World research, WEWN, licensed to Vandiver, Ala., was one of 12 independent U.S. shortwave stations still broadcasting.
EWTN ceased shortwave broadcasts targeted specifically at North America in 2008. In recent years, its English-language shortwave service reached audiences primarily in Africa and the Middle East. The Spanish-language shortwave coverage was directed to Latin America.
Launched on Dec. 28, 1992, WEWN was EWTN’s first radio service, offering Catholic programming to listeners in regions where access to other forms of media was often limited. EWTN Radio syndicates programming across approximately 600 AM and FM affiliate stations worldwide, as well as on satellite and streaming platforms.
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