' Describe the variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main television channels.'

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Krishan Nathwani 11SV        R.S. Coursework        17/09/04 

‘ Describe the variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main television channels.’

The coursework question, ‘ Describe the variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main television channels’ is what I will be writing about. I will be giving examples of a number of specific religious programmes and of what style they are. Religious broadcasting is a programme is specifically about a certain religion. When religious broadcasting began it was mainly on a Sunday and aimed at the religious people who took an interest in Christianity, regularly visited church on Sunday and accepted all the beliefs. As the years went on religious broadcasting in Britain has changed and developed a lot. The viewers have changed from a largely Christian church to now what is called a vaguely religious. Vaguely religious viewers are people who have a belief in God and ask strong questions and attend religious events such as marriage in church, Christmas services etc. The ‘God Slot’ that used to be on Sunday from 6pm till 7pm, is now no longer as people are not viewing regularly at this time of the day. Today religious broadcasting has been cut down by a considerable amount, there are programmes today specifically for a religious audience but there are not many on television today.  

The specifically religious programmes that are on television today and the days they are on are:

Songs of praise is on the BBC channel and is specify aimed at Christianity. The programme has hymns and various interviews and is aimed at the elderly mainly who have a great interest and belief in Christianity. The Heaven and Earth show is also on the BBC and has interviews and deals with religious issues. My Favourite Hymns has hymns through out with words for people who wish to sing along. The Ark deals with religious issues, as so does God is Black. Panorama deals with issues where religion is brought up. In a week only 3 hours and 40 minutes are given to religious broadcasting. All of these programmes are all based on Christianity with some episodes to do with other religions in the UK.

There are three categories, which all religious programmes can be divided into. These three categories are worship type programmes, magazine type programmes and religious documentaries.

Worship type programmes are programmes, which include a lot of hymn singing, prayers and reading from special religious books. All channels broadcast some types of worship programmes in different times of the year for special religious festivals such as, Lent for Easter, Diwali Ramadan and Christmas.

Magazine type programmes are programmes that show a number of interviews and religious news. These programmes are mainly on in the morning.

Religious documentary type programmes are the most popular programmes. The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all have religious documentary programmes on in the week and are normally based on one religion at a time.

The worship programmes, Songs of praise and My favourite hymns the target audience are fairly old as old people would have more of an interest in these programmes and may like to listen to the interviews and may even sing along to some of the hymns sung. Other people may not find the programme interesting because they may find the issues boring, they may not have an interest in the religion and may find the hymns old-fashioned. The Heaven and earth show is a magazine type programme and people many enjoy this as they may have a great interest in the interviews taking place in the show, they may find the readings interesting. The documentary programmes such as the ark, God is black and panorama discuss various religious issues, which may seem very interesting to some people.

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In this coursework I have explained that there are religious broadcasts that have a category and explained what each the programmes in each category include. I think there are not many religious programmes on television any more because the demand has fallen and fewer people are interested in such matters and from this youth do not have an interest or an understanding. The majority of programmes are documentary as these programmes are most popular and they interest people and the issues are to do with life today. Documentaries are aimed at middle aged adults.

‘ Analyse and ...

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