The four main channels that I will be looking at are the BBC1, BBC2, ITV and Channel 4. In the year 2005/2006, the BBC hosted 139 hours of religious television, 92 hours on BBC1 and 47 hours on BBC2. Sport, however, got 670 hours worth of broadcasting in the same year. The ITV produces only 104 hours religious programming per year, with the majority of television being given to children’s programming. Channel 4 produces 110 hours of religious media. In the past year, religion on the television has increased by 4%.
The 3 types of programmes are Worship programmes, Documentary programmes and Discussion programmes. The Worship programmes are one’s that feature religious worship including hymn singing and exploring religious history. The most popular is Songs of Praise. Documentary programmes are the most popular programmes, which deal with moral issues globally, and nationally e.g. euthanasia, surgery, spy religion. A very popular type of documentary is Everyman. The Discussion programmes are one’s that are on during the day and discuss issues with religious and famous people. The most noticeable programme of this type is the Heaven and Earth Show.
Songs of Praise is a programme that has hymn singing but offers more. There are historic places, human-interest stories and how religion has changed lives. Songs of Praise has featured guests such as Jonathan Edwards, Desmond Tutu and Princess Anne. The target audience I feel would be middle aged people, as these people would be at home on a Sunday afternoon. I would not watch this programme as I do not like hymn singing and I would not prefer this programme at the specific time. I also feel discussion programmes are more interesting than the worship ones.
The Everyman programme has a huge audience and discusses moral issues. It is set out as interviews and broadcasting. The people on Everyman are all religious people. They discuss issues such as transplant surgery, euthanasia, abortion, divorce, CIA using religions to spy and opposite religion marriages. I think the target audience would be middle-aged adults with interest in religious issues. I would not watch this programme as it is on too late to keep me interested, it does not appeal to me, as it is all the same style and format.
The Heaven and Earth Show is made topical and relevant with information and issues regarding everyday news and events. The studio is set out brightly with interesting songs. Some people who have been on the show are Pete Doherty, Patrick Swayze and Cliff Richard. The target audience would be for religious people or people who are interested in the issues. It is on at the same time as church is which seems unusual. I would probably watch this from time to time as it is interesting and relevant to the important news and wars. It explains and helps in peoples views and beliefs.