Three exclusive 24-hour channels will offer live event coverage, rebroadcasts and historic recordings giving listeners hundreds of hours of Papal programming
NEW YORK - April 9, 2008 - The Catholic Channel, an exclusive collaboration between SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and the Archdiocese of New York, will offer listeners nationwide a comprehensive broadcast schedule for Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic journey to the United States April 15 - 20.
Throughout the Papal Visit SIRIUS will offer three exclusive 24-hour channels carrying live event coverage, rebroadcasts and historic recordings that will give listeners around the country hundreds of hours of Papal-related programming, more than any other media outlet.
The Catholic Channel, which airs year-round exclusively on SIRIUS channel 159, will carry all major Papal events and speeches live, including the Masses from Nationals Park, Yankee Stadium and St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Youth Rally, and Pope Benedict's visits to the United Nations and Ground Zero. Catholic Channel hosts will broadcast live, on-site at every public event and The Catholic Channel's exclusive daily programming lineup will provide listeners around the country with the latest news and information on the Pope's activities during his visit.
Subscribers can also listen to The Catholic Channel online with SIRIUS Internet Radio, the Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service. A free three-day trial of SIRIUS Internet radio is currently available at www.sirius.com/sir.
The Catholic Channel's event coverage will include: (All times ET)
Tuesday, April 15
At 4:00 pm, live coverage as Pope Benedict arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and is greeted by President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and other dignitaries. SIRIUS' Rob Astorino will be on site reporting.
Wednesday, April 16
At 10:30 am, live coverage of Pope Benedict's visit to the White House and the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn with SIRIUS' Rob Astorino on site reporting.
Later that evening, at 5:00 pm, The Busted Halo Show, hosted by Father Dave Dwyer, will broadcast live from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where Pope Benedict will conduct evening prayer and address the 350 Bishops of the United States.
Thursday, April 17
Seize The Day, hosted by Gus Lloyd, will air live from 6:00 - 10:00 am from Nationals Park in Washington D.C., providing pre-event coverage of the day's Papal Mass.
At 10:00 am SIRIUS will air a live broadcast of Pope Benedict celebrating Mass at Nationals Park with Father Dwyer providing commentary for SIRIUS listeners. Immediately following the Mass a special edition of The Busted Halo Show, hosted by Fr. Dwyer from Nationals Park, will provide a full recap of the event.
At 1:00 pm a special edition of A Conversation with the Cardinal, the weekly show hosted by His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, and Rob Astorino, will feature a discussion on the life of Pope Benedict XVI.
Starting at 4:00 pm The Catholic Guy will broadcast live from the Law School Lawn at The Catholic University of America where Pope Benedict will arrive at 5:00 pm to address Catholic educators. The Holy Father will then proceed to the John Paul II Cultural Center for a meeting and prayer service with representatives of other religions.
Friday, April 18
The Catholic Channel will cover the Pope's departure from Andrews Air Force Base and his arrival at JFK airport in New York.
From 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Across The Nation, hosted by Bob Dunning and guest host Pia de Solenni, will broadcast live from inside the United Nations, providing live coverage of Pope Benedict's speech to the UN General Assembly.
At 6:00 pm, The Catholic Channel will carry live coverage of the Pope's address to leaders of other Christian denominations at St. Joseph's Church.
Saturday, April 19
A special edition of As You Think, hosted by Father Paul Keenan, will air live from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm from inside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. During the show, at 9:15 am, The Catholic Channel will offer a live broadcast of the Solemn Pontifical Mass for priests, deacons and religious at St. Patrick's, a non-public event celebrating the third anniversary of the Holy Father's election to the Papacy.
From 12:00 - 8:00 pm, The Catholic Channel will broadcast live from the Youth Rally on the grounds of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY where thousands of young people will gather to hear Pope Benedict speak. SIRIUS listeners will hear the Pope's address to the crowd as well as musical performances by Kelly Clarkson, Third Day, Toby Mack and Three Graces. Catholic Channel hosts Fr. Dave Dwyer, Dave and Susan Konig and Lino Rulli will be on-site providing live commentary and interacting with the young people in attendance.
Sunday, April 20
The Catholic Channel will provide live coverage of Pope Benedict's 9:30am visit to Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
At 11:00 am, The Catholic Guy, hosted by Lino Rulli, broadcasts live from Yankee Stadium with reporters both inside and outside the stadium setting the scene for the day's public Solemn Pontifical Mass starting at 2:30 pm. The Catholic Channel will air the Mass live and in its entirety with hosts Fr. Paul Keenan and Sister Marie Pappas providing commentary for SIRIUS listeners nationwide.
At 8:00 pm The Catholic Channel will provide live coverage of the departure ceremony at JFK airport, which will include farewell remarks by Pope Benedict.
Throughout Pope Benedict's trip, SIRIUS is dedicating two additional channels to the Papal Visit.
The Papal Archives Channel, SIRIUS 119, will air Monday, April 14 through Sunday, April 20, showcasing historic speeches from Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI, plus the earliest known recording of a Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII circa 1902.
Papal Playback, SIRIUS 143, will offer re-broadcasts of key moments and events from the current trip, giving listeners multiple chances to hear Pope Benedict's Masses and public addresses.
The Catholic Channel launched in December 2006 and airs nationally 7 days a week/24 hours a day exclusively on SIRIUS. For more information, visit www.sirius.com/thecatholicchannel.
