WATERTOWN -- On the first Sunday of Advent, CTND, the Catholic cable TV channel of the Archdiocese of Detroit will switch its network affiliation from EWTN Detroit to Boston's CatholicTV Network.

On Nov. 27 CTND will roll out programming from CatholicTV Network, to supplement local programming on Comcast, channel 398, Bright House Networks, channel 16, and Wyandotte, channel 73.

"Over the past decade or so, we've carried a few hours of CatholicTV's programs every week. Going forward, we'll broadcast their award-winning informational and devotional programming seven days a week," said Ned McGrath, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

McGrath also praised CatholicTV's online presence, at www.CatholicTV.com, as "robust and dynamic."

The first Catholic television station in the world, the CatholicTV Network offers programming inspired by Catholic teachings 24 hours a day.

"They have an app for smartphones and a reliable live stream for all devices," McGrath said.

"Our digital media staff is anticipating the opportunities and synergies that can now develop between and among CatholicTV and our archdiocesan media resources -- CTND, AODonline.org, The Michigan Catholic newspaper and TheMichiganCatholic.com," he added.

"What a tremendous way to begin the season of Advent and a new Church year by inaugurating this new partnership between CTND and the CatholicTV Network! I am personally thrilled to be able to share our daily schedule of fine Catholic programming with the people of the great Archdiocese of Detroit," said Father Robert Reed, president of the CatholicTV Network.

Father Reed expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Allen Vigneron and to McGrath for being open to the collaboration.

"In our digital multi-media society, television remains a powerful force for proclaiming the Gospel. It is my sincere hope that our interesting mix of spiritual, educational and entertaining programming from all over the nation will be a source of comfort and strength as well as a force for evangelization for the Church of Detroit," he added.

Cable TV channels in many other North American dioceses already carry The CatholicTV Network.