Join broadcaster Roger Bolton as he tells the remarkable story of the Christian Broadcasting Council UK from its pioneering beginnings to its renewed vision for the future.
The video was first shown at the CBC Revive 2026 Conference on 8 May 2026 in London. It features archive footage, historic interviews and a fresh look at today’s rapidly changing media landscape, this short video explores why Christian media matters now more than ever.
Discover:
- How CBC helped shape Christian broadcasting in the UK.
- Why faith still deserves a place in the public conversation.
- The challenges and opportunities created by digital media.
- CBC’s vision for encouraging the next generation of Christian communicators.
- How you can be part of strengthening the Christian voice across the nation.
Whether you’re a broadcaster, journalist, content creator, church leader or simply passionate about communicating the Gospel, this inspiring film offers a compelling look at the past, present and future of Christian media.
Watch now and discover how, together, we can fulfil the Great Commission through media.
Christian Broadcasting Council at 40
For four decades, the Christian Broadcasting Council has served a unique calling in the life of the Church and the media in the United Kingdom.
We have a vision to bring believers together, to proclaim the Gospel and harness the power of media for the Kingdom of God. Our calling is to encourage excellence, strengthen Christian witness and help ensure that faith has a clear and credible place in the public square.
This is the story of CBC UK – our history, our purpose and our future.
“Hello, I’m Olave Snelling. My guest today is Archbishop George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“Yes, Olave, I’m delighted to be here in your new premises at Premier Radio. It’s wonderful.”
CBC was founded in 1986, emerging from a gathering of Christians of different traditions who shared a calling to support and strengthen faith-based broadcasting across the nation.
In those early days, Christian media was still in its infancy. Much was pioneering, much was prayerful and much required courage, perseverance and unity.
We witnessed new networks being formed and stood as an umbrella body, uniting broadcasters, ministries and creatives in prayer, collaboration and purpose.
Our mission was clear: to stimulate and promote the knowledge of the Christian faith and the proclamation of the Gospel through radio, television and emerging media.
“The whole aim of the Christian Broadcasting Council, of which I am Chairman, is that the name of Jesus should be raised high in the media. Our aim is to raise standards for Christian broadcasting across the board, whether it’s produced by Christian companies or whether it’s produced by Christians in secular companies.”
As Christian broadcasting developed, CBC played its part in shaping that progress.
We hosted high-profile award ceremonies celebrating creativity and spiritual impact in media. We engaged with Parliament and regulators, advocating for the place of faith in public life.
Like many organisations with a long history, CBC has known seasons of energy and seasons of quietness. The passing of faithful leaders, changes in the media landscape and the rapid transformation of technology have all brought challenges.
Yet even in quieter years, our vision did not disappear. Prayer continued, commitment remained and the need for an effective Christian voice in media only became clearer.
“In this programme today, I’m joined by Olave Snelling.”
“I don’t know exactly what the universities can do or what parliamentarians can do, because you’re talking about changing people’s minds, and that’s a very big thing. But hey, we have the power of prayer.”
So, as CBC marks its 40th anniversary this year, this is not simply a moment to look back with gratitude. It is also a season to look ahead with renewed purpose.
We’re excited that the Kingdom of God is still advancing.
“We feel that we’re trembling on the edge of a mighty move of God. We don’t know how it’s going to be. We don’t know what form it’s going to take or what shape it will take. But we feel something in our spirit, for such a time as this, that God is going to use the media very powerfully in these days.”
We live in a time of extraordinary media change.
Traditional broadcasting still matters deeply, yet the landscape now stretches far beyond radio and television. Podcasts, online video, digital journalism, social media and emerging platforms are shaping the way people encounter ideas, beliefs and truth itself.
This presents both challenge and opportunity.
“Now, through media, we can have a window on the world like never before.”
While the UK remains deeply shaped by the Christian story, Christian perspectives are often overlooked, under-reported or misunderstood within the media.
Our purpose remains rooted in the same calling: promoting the Gospel through media, organising gatherings, supporting Christian communicators and encouraging a public environment in which Christian broadcasting can flourish.
The CBC is being renewed not as a monument to the past, but as a servant for the future.
We’re also looking ahead towards the next generation and the new media landscape they are already inhabiting.
This means encouraging younger voices, supporting those called to journalism, production, presenting, digital communication and creative media.
It means developing practical training, including our course for journalists, to help them report on and explore faith issues with skill, confidence and integrity.
Because when we work together, our reach is greater and our impact is deeper.
You can explore the CBC UK Directory and become part of this growing network at cbcuk.directory.
The challenges have changed, but the heart of the calling remains the same.
As Scripture reminds us, we are to speak the truth in love and let our light shine before others.
So today, as we give thanks for 40 years of CBC, we honour all those who have prayed, pioneered, built and served.
And we invite you to stand with us in this next chapter.
Pray with us.
Partner with us.
Join us in strengthening Christian media, encouraging new voices and helping ensure that the Gospel continues to be heard across our nation.
As together we seek to fulfil the Great Commission.
