Archdiocese of Karachi to launch satellite TV channel

(December 23, 2009) Archdiocese of Karachi has launched its first independently owned television network. In fact the Archdiocese has been quick to adopt new technologies of communication in recent years. An Urdu weekly Agahi – first in the country - was launched three ago and a little later its on line Edition was made available. Less than a year ago the Archdiocese launched first Catholic Web TV. And now it has embraced digital and satellite technology. The Satellite based TV Channel is given the name, ‘Good News’. This was coordinated by Father Arthur Charles, the Vicar general of the Archdiocese and a Professor at National Catholic Institute of theology, Pakistan. He is also Editor-in-Chief of Agahi and the director of the Catechetical Centre Karachi. He is now the president and the CEO of Good News TV. The broadcast will be aired nationally, as well as in other parts of Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe seven days a week, 24 hours a day and will feature a modern format with an open dialogue focused on the message of Jesus Christ in the 21st Century. Holy Mass, Recitation of the Rosary, Lives the Saints, Scripture Readings, contemporary and current events, politics, music, entertainment, arts and sports have their slots. The Channel will also include human interest stories and inspirational themes, shows offering counselling and guidance, educational programmes and more. Archbishop Evarist Pinto has hailed the launch of Good News TV as “a massive step forward for a different way of broadcasting in the country.” In his inaugural speech he called on the media to promote family values, human dignity and the common good. The Channel will commence its test transmission on the Eve of Christmas.