‘Songs of Praise’ broadcasts each week from different locations and is a worship programme, which comes on at 5:10- 5:55pm (BBC1) on a Sunday. One programme was presented by Jonathon Edwards and contained interviews with the local people of Blackburn talking about their faith, hymn singing and church services. Subtitles are shown for people who are unable to go to church allowing them to interact or sing along with the hymns at home. Some religious programmes come very late in the night including the signed version of Songs Of Praise, which comes at 1 am on Monday morning. This is because they don’t attract many viewers and because the channels have made a commitment to broadcast religious programmes. However, because they have a limited budget and aren’t going to attract mass audiences, they are televised in off-peak hours to fulfil their commitment. This is not fair on the people who watch the signed version, as they have to wait until 1 am the next day. The target audience is again the vaguely religious as the history of the area is also explained and the entire programme is not hymn singing e.g. it may interest people who want to know about the area of Blackburn.
‘My Favourite Hymns’ is also a worship programme (11:00-12:00 am, Sun, ITV1), one programme contained an interview with Toyah Wilcox a celebrity, and then goes to some hymn singing and then back to the interview. People interested in Toyah Wilcox and her life may also like the programme rather than focusing on the hymns. However it may be argued that the programme is specifically religious but interview questions are wide ranging and all types of people are included, as therefore it will interest a greater audience. The questions again focus on Christianity looking at how Toyah Wilcox’s christening changed her life and how she had a relationship with God. This particular programme is largely made up of interview however there are programmes, which have a church service throughout. The programme is similar to Songs of Praise as it has both interviews with hymn singing. However ‘Songs of Praise’ does not have in depth interviews and looks at a greater range of religious related issues.
Both ‘Songs of Praise’ and ‘My Favourite Hymns’ may attract people who are not religious as they may watch the programme because they might enjoy listening to hymns or like the religious spirit at the time of year e.g. Christmas. On the other hand, some people may not enjoy the programmes as they may be religious but the hymns may not be of their choice. They may be going to church and therefore miss the programmes because the target audience is those who are unable to go to church giving them a chance to watch and participate. Both programmes are aimed at Christians, as the majority of the population of the UK is Christian and therefore a greater audience. The BBC is meant to educate the nation and they may need to show programmes of other religions in order to give a greater variety of religious programmes on the channel. A variety of programmes are shown during festivals of the major religions and therefore there is a variety however in my opinion more is required during other times.
‘The Heaven and Earth Show’ is a weekly Magazine style programme looking at a range of issues both religious and relevant, with studio discussion, phone-ins (interacting with audiences –opinions/responses). The target audience is again the vaguely religious. One particular programme looked at whether Myra Hindley should be given a second chance or forgiven, because the issue of forgiveness is associated with Christianity and it also relates to Jesus dieing to save us from the punishment human sin deserves (not in programme but directly linked). People were interviewed in the city of Manchester on their opinion therefore a wide range of opinions could be found. Only white people were asked and this maybe because they were believed to be Christians however there are black people who are Christians. I think a range of people from different backgrounds; races and cultures should have been interviewed to give a more varied opinion on the issue. During Diwali, Hindu deities were shown and therefore the programme appeals to a variety of religions. This was shown again during Christmas because Hindu’s exchange presents during Christmas too. I do not think that debates and discussions were to only do with the younger generation as a range of different ages were asked their opinion and the people interviewed in the studio were middle-aged adults. The Heaven and Earth Show looks at relevant issues as well as looking at them in a religious viewpoint therefore it is more popular attracting both the religious audience and those interested in relevant issues.
‘Moses’ and ‘Faith in Fashion’ are both documentaries. The target audience again is the vaguely religious (explained above). Faith in Fashion came during Ramadan looking at how Muslims keep their religious views about clothes but still keep up with fashion. Individual views are given with Muslim responses. The programme is not only aimed at Muslims, as people interested in fashion may also like the programme. Different styles of wearing the Hijab are also shown.
Jeremy Bowen who is a respected Middle East correspondent presents ‘Moses’. ‘Moses’ questions whether the bible story of Moses is real, looking at historical evidence. Jeremy Bowen (as he is a news correspondent) has a reputation of giving the facts as they are, and not a biased view, therefore the programme would attract a wider audience. E.g. if a priest were to present the programme then people may not believe him as they might feel he is giving a biased view to support religion. Those interested in the archaeology of Egypt as well as Muslims, Christians, and Jews would be interested in the programme because it is a story in their holy book. Both programmes come in the peak viewing time of 8-9pm and 9-10pm because they will attract huge audiences.
I think that religious programmes educate and inform their audiences as facts on different religions are given e.g. in Faith in Fashion. Religious programmes don’t really entertain however interesting facts and discussions take place, which can entertain a range of audiences. I think that religious programmes don’t make a difference to a person’s faith because they look at the issues from a range of opinions and arguments. Sometimes a religious programme may make you fell closer to God because you can understand issues to a greater depth and take part in worship e.g. Hymns in Worship programmes.
