The Variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main TV channels Essay Example

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In Manchester, individuals were interviewed about the possibility of forgiving Myra Hindley and whether she had already redeemed herself. The topic of forgiveness is often associated with Christianity and relates to the concept of Jesus dying to save humans from the consequences of their sins. Two upcoming documentary programs, namely 'Moses' airing on Sun, 1 Dec at 20:00 pm on BBC1, and 'Faith in Fashion' airing on Thu, 5 Dec on BBC1 from 23:45 to 00:05 examine diverse matters. Faith in Fashion focuses on how Muslims still manage to keep up with fashionable trends despite their religious code of conduct, which came during Eid ul Fitr.

The Hijab, a headscarf, was subject to varying opinions and demonstrated through different ways of wearing it. Jeremy Bowen, a respected Middle East correspondent, presents 'Moses' which queries the authenticity of the Bible story by examining historical evidence. Despite limited interest, religious television programming is featured mainly on Sundays - a holy day for Christians who refrain from work, and coincides with worship programs designed for those who only attend church during special festivals.

For those who cannot go to church but want to participate in hymn singing at home during Christmas, TV channels have made a commitment to broadcast religious programs in a designated time slot exclusively for religious content known as the God-slot. Due to low viewership of certain religious programs, they cannot be aired during peak hours (8-10pm). Therefore, in order to fulfill the commitment, these programs are aired late at night after 11pm.

"The Songs of Praise" has a version that is signed and available to its limited audience. Each program targets

a particular age or religious group, catering to their unique interests and preferences. Worship programs are particularly well-received by Christians who cannot attend church for various reasons such as illness or child care. These programs aim to serve the needs of those who struggle with participating in religious activities.

The program Songs of Praise can appeal to a vaguely religious audience and those interested in Blackburn's local history. However, some religious individuals may not enjoy the worship content if the hymns do not match their preferences. Conversely, non-religious individuals may appreciate listening to the hymns or the program's overall spirit during certain times of the year. The Heaven and Earth Show featured Hindu deities during both Diwali and Christmas, acknowledging that many Hindus also exchange presents during the latter holiday.

This demonstrates that various religions are participating. The discussions and debates are not solely for the younger demographic, as individuals of diverse ages were surveyed and the interviewees in the studio were adults. The Heaven and Earth Show encompasses present-day topics, appealing to a broader audience. Faith in Fashion is not limited to Muslims but also caters to those interested in fashion. Conversely, 'Moses' appeals to people intrigued by Egypt's archaeology, as well as Muslims, Christians, and Jews due to its inclusion in their sacred texts.

It is important to continue broadcasting religious programmes during peak viewing time between 8-10pm to meet the needs of all viewers, not just the target audience. My Favourite Hymns, which explores Toyah Wilcox's relationship with God after being christened, focuses on Christianity and its questions. Worship programs, such as church services, are primarily aimed at the Christian population in the UK due

to its majority. However, the BBC's mission is to educate the nation and therefore may need to showcase other religious programs for a wider variety of content.

While festivals of major religions showcase a diverse range of programs, I believe that more variety is necessary outside of these events. The exclusive interviewing of white individuals in 'The Heaven and Earth Show' may have been due to their belief in Christianity, but there are non-white Christians as well. To provide a more diverse perspective on the matter, individuals from different cultural, racial, and background should have been interviewed.