Wordnet Productions

What Wordnet Productions does

Wordnet Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Catholic media ministry founded in 1978 by Fr. Mike Manning, SVD and headquartered at 532 North D Street, San Bernardino, California, with a secondary event venue at the Divine Word Retreat Center in Riverside. The organization produces Catholic faith-based television programming, a 24/7 flagship streaming channel, and bilingual daily-reflection mobile apps for individual Catholic viewers, parish communities, and Catholic dioceses, distributing content both domestically (via TBN, EWTN, American Forces Network, and diocesan Catholic TV networks) and globally through connected-TV platforms.

Core products include the WordNet TV streaming channel and program guide (carrying Sunday Mass, Wednesday Mass, Fulton Sheen Gems, Mission Minute, Sing to the Lord, The Word in the World, Advancing the Kingdom, All Things Catholic, Power of Love, Waking Up in America, Live with Passion, and All Things Are Possible); the iGod Today (English) and Dios Habla (Spanish) daily Bible-reflection apps on iOS and Android (launched 2010); and a physical catalog of books, CDs, and DVDs (e.g., Fr. Martin Padovani titles, Jesus Calls Women, Parenting Vocation, Called to Love). Content is produced in a 40-by-20-foot soundproofed in-house studio equipped with three HD cameras and CCU control units, a professional Tricaster switcher, Avid Nitris Media Composer and Adobe Premiere CC editing suites, digital conversion from Betacam/U-matic/VHS/DVD, and Cubase audio recording, with podcast distribution handled via Libsyn. The platform supports donations through PayPal, integrates with Amazon Smile, and offers the studio for rental and contract production services to other Catholic organizations.

Operationally, the ministry is small and donor-funded, run by an executive director (Fr. Soney Sebastian, SVD), an executive manager (Anna Hamilton), and an associate producer (Fr. Akhil Thomas, SVD), with Sr. Patricia Phillips, SHCJ having served 40 years before retiring in 2022. Revenue derives primarily from tax-deductible donations under 501(c)(3) status and supplemented by low-AOV product sales (books at $14.99–$19.99, CDs at $14.99, DVDs at $8–$25) and modest studio-rental and production-services income. Leadership maintains a close institutional relationship with the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) religious order, including a content collaboration with the SVD Generalate's communication department in Rome (established August 2022) that supplies monthly mission content. As of 2025, Wordnet is running a Legacy Capital Campaign to raise $329,600 for facility expansion adding Studio B, a Prop & Archive Room, a Production Office, and a Legacy Room.

Name

Wordnet Productions

Legal name

Wordnet Productions Inc

Website

https://wordnet.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wordnet Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Catholic media ministry that produces religious television programming, a 24/7 streaming channel, and bilingual daily-reflection mobile apps serving individual Catholic viewers, parishes, dioceses, and Catholic television networks through donations and modest product sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Media Production

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Catholic Broadcasting (MPABALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Media, Publishing & Broadcasting (Radio, TV, Digital, Press) (BPAGAJAI), Faith & Religious Live Streaming Platforms (MPACACAK)

Keywords

• Catholic television programming
• Religious media production
• Faith-based streaming
• Catholic mobile apps
• Christian educational content

Headquarters

HQ city

San Bernardino

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Wordnet Productions relies on donations from viewers and supporters. The Legacy Capital Campaign aims to raise $329,600 for studio expansion.
2. Product Sales (Books, CDs, DVDs): Sale of books by Fr. Padovani ($14.99-$19.99), CDs ($14.99), and DVDs ($8-$25) including titles like 'Healing Wounded Emotions', 'Healing Wounded Relationships', and educational programs.
3. Studio Rental and Production Services: Rental of professional video studio and production facilities, editing bay rental, on-location taping services, and documentary production services.
4. Amazon Smile Donations: Receives portion of Amazon purchases when supporters nominate 'Wordnet Inc' as their Amazon Smile charity recipient.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wordnet Productions produces and distributes original Catholic television programming and digital media, centered on the WordNet TV 24/7 streaming channel and the iGod Today/Dios Habla daily Bible reflection mobile apps. The ministry also sells faith-based physical products (books, CDs, DVDs) authored by Fr. Martin Padovani and offers professional studio rental and production services through its San Bernardino, California facility.

Product overview

Wordnet Productions operates a Catholic media ministry platform centered around WordNet TV, a streaming platform offering religious programming across multiple devices and formats. The core offering includes original video programs (Advancing the Kingdom, Mission Minute, Fulton Sheen Gems, Sing to the Lord, All Things Catholic, Sunday Mass, Wednesday Mass), the iGod Today/Dios Habla mobile app for daily Bible reflections, and physical products including books and CDs by Fr. Martin Padovani on healing and spiritual growth. Content is distributed through streaming platforms (Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV), mobile apps (iOS, Android), and the studio produces additional resources like DVDs on vocations. The ministry also offers production studio rental services and operates a gift shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iGod Today: Daily reflection mobile app launched in 2010 providing daily Bible reflections and spiritual content
• Dios Habla

Products and services

• WordNet TV Streaming Platform Core Catholic media streaming platform that shares religious television programming including live streaming, on-demand videos, and scheduled program guides accessible via website, mobile apps, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV for individual Catholic viewers and faith communities.
• iGod Today / Dios Habla Mobile App Daily Bible reflection mobile application providing inspirational content and spiritual reflections for individual Catholic users; available in English (iGod Today) and Spanish (Dios Habla) on iOS and Android devices.
• Production Studio Rental and Production Services Professional video production facility rental including a 40'x20' soundproofed studio with HD cameras, Tricaster switcher, editing suites with Avid Nitris and Adobe Premiere CC, digital conversion from legacy formats, DVD authoring, and audio recording with Cubase; targeted at Catholic organizations and external clients needing professional production services.
• WordNet TV Gift Shop Online storefront selling faith-based books, CDs, and DVDs to individual Catholic consumers via wordnet.tv.
• Healing Wounded Emotions (Book) Book by Fr. Martin Padovani helping readers discover spiritual and emotional well-being; available in English ($17.99) and Spanish as 'Cómo Sanar Sentimientos Heridos' ($16.99) for individual Catholic readers.
• Healing Wounded Relationships (Book) Book by Fr. Martin Padovani providing spiritual and practical help for growth in relationships with God, others, and self; available in English ($17.99) and Spanish as 'Cómo Sanar Relaciones Heridas' ($16.99).
• The Exodus Experience (CD) 66-minute CD by Fr. Martin Padovani providing a healing journey for the divorced, separated, and widowed through five stages; priced at $14.99.
• Parenting With Power (CD) 79-minute CD by Fr. Martin Padovani on guiding children to become self-reliant adults across five parenting areas; priced at $14.99.
• Jesus Calls Women (DVD) DVD resource featuring real-life stories of women from diverse cultural backgrounds who chose consecrated life as sisters, with interviews from eight religious orders and a study guide; available in English and Spanish, priced at $8.00.
• Parenting Vocation (DVD) 40-minute DVD resource for parents whose children are considering or have entered religious life or priesthood, featuring candid sharing from parents about questions, concerns, and blessings; priced at $8.00 (plus $8 international shipping).
• Called to Love (2-Disk DVD Set) Two-disk DVD set on Consecrated Celibacy with Disk One featuring Sandra Schneiders, IHM on theological perspectives (78 minutes) and Disk Two featuring Women Religious sharing experiences (63 minutes), including a discussion guide; priced at $25.

Quantifiable outcome

• Studio expansion project ($329,600) adding four rooms to current facility

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SVD GeneralatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2022Collaboration with SVD Generalate's communication department to produce monthly SVD Mission News Bulletin 'Witnessing to The Word' and collaborate on iGod and Dios Habla programs. Collegio in Rome collaborating on production.
• ParishWorldminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatholic media resource website serving as a distribution partner for Wordnet content and resources.
• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Catholic and religious television network distributing Wordnet programs to viewers nationwide.
• EWTNcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEternal Word Television Network - one of the largest Catholic television networks distributing Wordnet programming.
• Catholic Television Network (Various Dioceses)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiocesan Catholic TV networks in Youngstown, Boston, Fresno, Detroit and other cities distributing Wordnet content locally.
• Society of the Divine Word (SVD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious order affiliation - Fr. Mike Manning (founder) and current leadership are SVD priests. Society of the Divine Word Western Province is a key organizational partner.
• USCCBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops - media distribution partner for Catholic content.
• Society of Holy Child JesusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious order with historical connection to Wordnet ministry - Sr. Patricia Phillips, SHCJ served as executive director for 40 years.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonation partnership where Amazon donates a portion of purchases when supporters designate Wordnet Inc as their Amazon Smile charity recipient.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Relevant Radio: A Catholic radio network in the U.S. producing faith-based audio content and daily reflections. Comparable to Wordnet's iGod Today app offering — both deliver daily Catholic spiritual reflections — though via audio rather than video/app.
• DeSales Media Group: The media arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, producing Catholic TV, radio, and digital content for the Catholic community. Comparable as a diocesan-affiliated Catholic media producer serving similar parish and viewer segments with overlapping program formats.
• NET TV (formerly Catholic TV of San Antonio): A diocesan Catholic television network producing original Catholic programming and distributing nationally. Comparable to Wordnet as a Catholic TV producer with similar target audience and nonprofit ministry model.
• CatholicTV Network: A nonprofit Catholic television network streaming Masses, devotionals, and original programming online. Directly comparable as a Catholic-focused streaming broadcaster targeting similar parish and individual Catholic audiences with overlapping program categories.
• Catholic Faith Network (CFN): A Long Island-based Catholic television network producing and streaming Catholic programming. Comparable as a nonprofit Catholic TV ministry distributing Mass, devotionals, and original shows to similar parish and individual Catholic audiences.

Emerging players

• Hallow: A Catholic prayer and meditation app offering daily reflections, scripture readings, and audio content. Comparable to Wordnet's iGod Today/Dios Habla apps as a daily-reflection product for Catholic users, but with venture-scale funding and a mobile-first approach.
• Shalom World: A Catholic streaming television network offering original Catholic programming on demand. Comparable as a Catholic-focused OTT broadcaster targeting similar faith-formation audiences with overlapping on-demand content.

Broad incumbents

• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): The largest Christian broadcast network in the U.S., distributing religious programming via TV and digital channels. Comparable to Wordnet as a faith-based TV distribution partner and in producing original religious content, though TBN's scope is broader (interdenominational Christian, not Catholic-specific).
• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network): The largest Catholic media network in the world, operating a global multi-channel TV network, radio, and news services. Directly comparable as a Catholic broadcasting outlet and an existing distribution partner for Wordnet, but at vastly greater scale and budget.

Regional players

• Salt + Light Media: A Canadian Catholic media foundation producing TV, radio, and digital content. Comparable as a Catholic media nonprofit with similar programming categories (Mass, devotionals, interviews), but with primary Canadian distribution rather than U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=zNpUT7Z7c5c
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wordnet-productions

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wordnet Productions