Few would have predicted that EWTN would quickly become a state-of-the-art facility given its humble beginnings: 12 cloistered nuns with no television experience, a monastery garage turned into a studio, and $200. But with a belief in God's Providence and generous donors who believe in the network's mission, EWTN can utilize the finest technology the communications industry has to offer.

March 8, 1981
Just before the first satellite dish arrived, Sr. Regina had a vision in which she saw a black sky, a white satellite dish, and a flame emerging from the center. She heard God say, "This is my network, and it will glorify my Son." After the dish arrived a few weeks later, a photograph taken while it was installed reproduced Sr. Regina's vision: a black sky, the white dish, and a red flame emerging from its center. Professional photographs could not account for the red flame. Mother Angelica called it a miracle.

December 7, 1983
Mother Angelica tells an EWTN carpenter to tie white rags on the trees where she wanted to build a new studio. People began to ask questions, including some visiting bishops. Mother Angelica said she wanted the Lord to look down and see EWTN needed a new and larger studio. One bishop asked if it was working, and she replied, "It doesn't hurt to remind Him. A friend came by and asked about the rags and then donated $50,000 to start the building.

April 14, 1985
Network dedicated a 6,500 square-foot post-production facility.

December 1985
State-of-the-art production equipment arrives for Edit B control room.

1987
To accommodate the production requirements of a 24-hour network, the master control area was remodeled to include four general work areas: "On Air" control, Control Room A for studio production, a computerized editing suite for the promotions department, and an engineering/transmission area. This facility is in addition to the recently completed Control Room B, which is the centerpiece of EWTN's video production.

August 2, 1988
Gabriel I, EWTN's first production vehicle outfitted for taping, producing, and editing, is delivered, allowing for additional location work.

September 1988
EWTN acquires uplink truck to beam location programs back to Birmingham via satellite, sending the signal to the satellite for live coverage.

February 1991
The Network begins broadcasting live daily Masses during Lent from Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, initially as encouragement for the families of soldiers serving in the Gulf War. With the conclusion of Lent, viewers let EWTN know that they would like the Daily Mass to continue. To fill this need, EWTN purchased unobtrusive, state-of-the-art robotic camera, preserving the sense of the sacred.

December 28, 1992
Through the generosity of the late Mr. and Mrs. Piet Derksen, the world's largest privately owned short wave radio network, WEWN (Eternal Word Network) is launched to a potential worldwide listening audience of 600 million.