Shalom World | |
Area: | Worldwide |
Headquarters: | Edinburg, Texas,United States |
Language: | English Spanish German |
Picture Format: | 1080i HDTV |
Owner: | Shalom Media USA Inc (a non-profit corporation) |
Online Serv 1: | LIVE Stream |
Online Chan 1: | Live TV Stream |
Online Serv 2: | Digital media receiver |
Online Chan 2: | Roku, Opera TV, Android TV, LG Smart TV, Philips, Toshiba, Sony, Sharp, Panasonic, Xbox One, Mi, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, HoloLens, Apple TV (4th generation) |
Shalom World is a 24-hour, commercial-free, English-language television channel that broadcasts spiritual and religious programs related to the Christian faith.[1] The channel broadcasts Catholic Mass, documentaries, animations, music videos, concerts, conferences, events and other programs that are relevant to the Catholic Church.[2] [3]
The channel in different countries aims to provide a platform for local evangelization and is tailored to the needs of the local culture.[4] The channel has a cumulative viewership of 8 million viewers in 140 countries across three channels – Shalom World North America, Shalom World Europe, and Shalom World Australia.[5] The channel provides additional support to the pastoral efforts of the Church.[6] During the global COVID-19 movement, the channel was used as a resource for people to attend Mass through television, with Holy Mass with Pope Francis as the most-viewed program.[7] [8]
Shalom World was launched on April 27, 2014 in North America as a vibrant, youthful, and family friendly Catholic television network catering to people of all ages.[17] It took its origin from Shalom ministry which was started in Peruvannamuzhi, a remote village in Kerala, India in 1989 as a small prayer group. This group of young men led by Benny Punnathara, under the guidance of Monsignor C. J. Varkey, sought to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ using modern means of mass communication hence setting up Shalom Media.[18] Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning ‘peace.’ Shalom ministry has been crucial to spreading the ‘Peace of Christ’ through their various publications, television programs, and other media initiatives. They are dedicated to sharing the Word of God in adherence to the doctrines and teachings of the Catholic Church. Apart from these media initiatives, the ministry also organizes retreats and leadership conferences inviting people to open their lives to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.[19]
Shalom World originated from the Indian network Shalom Television, which began its broadcast in 2005 and promoted the work of local parishes as well as other faith-related programs in the Malayalam language. Shalom World, with its headquarters in Texas, USA, was established nine years later to broadcast programs in English.[20] Shalom World is furthering its boundaries under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Roy Palatty CMI, Spiritual Director, Shalom Media.[21] It broadcasts 24/7 high-definition, Catholic content that is faith-filled, virtue-building, character-based, and family-friendly.[22] Shalom World has now expanded to Australia and Europe.[23] It was launched in Australia on January 26, 2018.[24]
For World Youth Day 2019, Shalom World was named the Official Media Partner by the Archdiocese of Panama. Through this partnership, viewers across the globe were able to participate in the largest youth event of the Church. The live broadcast of this event began on January 22 and ended on January 27.[25]
Shalom World is a Christian TV platform that focuses on faith-based entertainment suited for all ages. Apart from faith-formation material, the content includes wholesome family entertainment such as movies, comedies, dramas, sitcoms, and children’s shows. This wide range of programming can be accessed on-demand for free without a subscription, making it a sought-after alternative to other continuous broadcast channels.[26] The channel can be live streamed on smart TVs; it can also be viewed through the website and a mobile application.[27]