Religious broadcasters have a reputation in noncommercial media for being well-prepared and ready to pounce on any opportunity to launch new stations. So it was no surprise last fall that many of the applicants for new, full-power noncommercial stations were religious — 60 percent, by one count.

But last October’s licensing window saw a new force in religious non-coms. There were more applications from Catholic organizations this time around. And that was no accident. read more