Cable TV viewers can now watch the Mass at the Basilica every Sunday morning.
On July 7, 2002, 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.