Launched in July 2003, it is the first Catholic national television channel in Canada. The channel airs programming in several languages, although prominently in English along with several French programs airing under the brand Télévision Sel + Lumière as well as Italian and Chinese programs.
The name of the station derives itself from the theme of World Youth Day 2002, "You are the salt of the earth... you are the light of the world," part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-14). The National Director of WYD 2002, Fr. Thomas Rosica, is the Chief Executive Officer of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation.
Programs range from daily news and current events to special features and films. Most programming falls into one of five categories:
- National and international stories of Catholic Action and Social Justice
- Stories of Catholic Communities
- Learning and Faith Development
- Prayer, Devotion and Meditation
- Catholic liturgy, including daily Mass and Vatican ceremonies
Salt + Light Television has been endorsed by national and international Catholic leaders and organizations, including the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Vatican Television Center, and many departments of the Vatican.
