Anyone who thought that The Da Vinci Code changed the public perception of the Catholic church hasn’t see anything yet. Salt & Light Television, the resurrected (pardon the pun) Inner Peace Television Network, was launched nationally last week. It has already featured programming such as pop-music videos with rapping priests and Cooking with Saints, which is hosted by Grano restaurant’s chef Roberto Martella and is filmed on a stained-glass-window-covered set.
The station will operate on a $1.5 million annual budget which will come entirely from a charitable foundation established by the Gagliano family and Gagliano-owned St. Joseph Corporation until advertisers can step in to help lighten the load. According to the network, Salt & Light has no intention of airing traditional commercials during its broadcasts but instead it will provide sponsorship opps for entire programs similar to what has been done for Cooking with Saints. The specialty station is currently offering a free preview.
