Birmingham, USA - EWTN Global Catholic Network, founded in a monastery garage in Alabama 30 years ago, is acquiring the 83-year-old National Catholic Register newspaper.
The deal announced Wednesday did not involve any cash. Instead, the broadcasting operation said it will take over the Register's operating expenses and future subscriptions.
The Register has struggled for decades. A group of investors and the Legionaries of Christ, a Roman Catholic order, purchased the paper in 1995 to keep it from closing.
The acquisition is part of EWTN's attempts to expand its news presence in the worldwide multimedia market serving Catholics. EWTN was founded in suburban Birmingham in 1981 by Mother Angelica and now provides multimedia services globally.
The Register is EWTN's first venture into traditional publishing.