The first type of religious programme is the `worship' programme; these programmes typify the expected or conformist views of religious broadcasting. The audience is in no ignorance of what the content will be, and are conscience of the fundamental point and direction the programme will take. The target audience for these are the vaguely and strongly religious. I studied `Songs of Praise', shown on BBC1 on a Sunday evening, peak-time viewing. The programme is fairly formal and is presented from a church. Songs of Praise, a long running worship programme, recently celebrated its 40th year of running. The target audience is mainly middle class, older females, the congregation being very representational of the target audience. The programme content is the same nature each week, presented from a different church each week. It contains interviews with Christians who have found their faith, or something of a general Christian nature. The range and content of worship programmes has not really changed since its conception. The content is relevant to its popularity is because the services are at an appropriate time, with enjoyable music, the hymns have subtitles for the audience at home to participate, some of which do because they are non-mobile making it hard for them to attend church. The programme has a very loyal audience, who may have a nostalgic appreciation of the programme.
Religious documentaries have a broader audience base and are the most popular programmes apart from `Songs of Praise'. They concentrate on “religious and moral issues, and are investigated in a much deeper way than in the worship and magazine programmes.” Examples of religious documentaries are `Witness' and `Soul of Britain'. The programmes content varies; representing traditional religious values, focusing on how traditional morality has declined in Britain and how traditional institutes were not apparent in 21st century values. Reasons for religious documentaries popularity is the issues raised in the programmes, the different point of views and balanced opinions from people at different ends of the spectrum. For example it may be the study of one religious group, such as the Jesus army.
The last type of religious broadcast is a magazine programme, covering different aspects of religion. Magazine programmes have a broad audience, usually vaguely religious people, as they are not in church. They're usually presented from a studio, with a relaxed atmosphere and young presenters sat on a sofa drinking tea, on a contemporary set. The programmes content are different topics each week, like popular events. They're easier viewing, with interviews, phone-ins to involve the audience, mini-documentaries, discussions, readings of poetry, and poplar topics of interest on the programme. They are less selective about the content with a newer outlook on religion; both moral and social aspects of religion are discussed. Stronger religious people may find it too catholic.
The variety of religious programmes across the four main television channels has broadened. Magazine programmes which are set out to attract a broader range of multicultural viewers, have a more relaxed approach; whereas a worship programmes purpose is to attract a certain type of audience, and keep to the traditional religious roots. It is evidential that each has a certain appeal that makes it unique from the other group, to attract a variety of audiences.
