Does Commercial Radio do Religion?
Three Christian broadcasting groups are undertaking a major new survey of commercial radio.
In days when more people prefer going to the pub than attending church, has music radio abandoned religion? Is "thought for the day" on pop radio a thing of the past, are Christian bands denied airplay, or is there a small army of committed broadcasters keeping God alive amid the music and ads?
These are some of the questions the survey hopes to answer. Revival Media is a Christian organisation involved with three commercial stations in the south, and Director of Programmes Patrick Woodward has been nominated several times for commercial radio’s Independent Easter Awards. Together with the Churches’ Media Council and the Christian Broadcasting Council, a survey has been drawn up, and sent to commercial stations across the country via the Commercial Radio Companies Association. Patrick comments "Even though pubs beat churches in the popularity stakes, there is still a sizeable minority in the UK who go to church – twice as many, in fact as attend football matches. In the last census over 70% of people claimed to be Christian. But over the years commercial stations seem to have reduced their religious output. We want to know if the stations are effectively serving the faith needs of the population. I have a suspicion that religion will be found on the commercial airwaves, but I have no idea just how much!"
This is the first survey of its type and it is hoped that all commercial stations in the UK will take part. Those who do will be offered discounts on entry to the major Christian programme awards next year. Copies of the survey can be downloaded from the following sites –
www.revivalmedia.org
www.cbc.org.uk, and
www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk
For more details contact Patrick Woodward on 01323 439798
ENDS
Note –the survey will be sent out on 7th January 2005
Contacts: Patrick Woodward, Revival Media: 01323 439798
Peter Blackman, Churches’ Media Council: 01245 322158
J Peter Wilson, Christian Broadcasting Council: 0870 209 6105
Saturday 1 January 2005