Cable TV viewers can now watch the Mass at the Basilica every
Sunday morning.
On July 7 the Hallmark Channel began broadcasting the Basilica's
midmorning Mass at 11 a.m. Eastern time as part of a three-hour
block of Sunday morning religious programming. Depending on time
of year and region, viewers either see the Mass live or on a tape
delay of one to a few hours. During seven weekends when conflicts
with the University calendar, such as graduation weekend, interrupt
normal schedules, services taped from other Sunday mornings will
be shown.
Preparation for the broadcasts included the installation of
five discreet robotic cameras in the Basilica and a control room
in the church basement. A University spokesman said Notre Dame
entered into the three-year agreement, which includes sharing
in the production costs, in the interest of bringing quality Catholic
Mass programming to a national audience.
The Hallmark Channel says it has nearly 41 million subscribers.
