Religious programming on the BBC this Easter
Post categories: religion
|10:40 UK time, Thursday, 15 March 2012
Easter this year on the BBC is all about passion.
It's the name of our two big highlights and it's a reflection as well of all the effort that has gone into making this Easter a stand out in the calendar for our listeners and viewers.
The year before I started at the BBC, there had been some concerns expressed about the BBC's Easter coverage and I was clear when I joined that we'd listen to viewers' feedback and work hard to address this and get the balance right in the future. This is my third Easter at the BBC and since I joined I've been determined to provide coverage that is meaningful and relevant to viewers and listeners.
Anne Widdecombe and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in the BBC One Programme Does Christianity Have a Future?
Since then, we have steadily built strong television content with documentaries presented by the likes of Bettany Hughes, Nicky Campbell and Ann Widdecombe on subjects as diverse as the future of Christianity, forgiveness and the perceived persecution of Christians in Britain.
This year we've really decided to be bold with major offerings on TV and radio. The Preston Passion on BBC One on Good Friday is the culmination of eighteen months of conversations, planning and effort to deliver a live event that not only marks Easter but also sends out a clear message that we take this subject area very seriously and back it with ambitious programming from dramas, to services, to debates and thought provoking documentaries.
Bishop Crowther (Ronald Pickup) and Samuel Horrocks (Tom Ellis) in 'Pilate', part of BBC One's The Preston Passion
Of course alongside the two stand out projects, The People's Passion on BBC Radio Four and The Preston Passion on BBC One, there will be Easter services and programming across many platforms.
I truly believe this is an exciting Easter line up, with something for all our viewers and listeners. I hope everyone will see and hear the passion that has gone into our programming.
Aaqil Ahmed is Commissioning Editor Religion and Head of Religion & Ethics
- More details about the BBC's religious programming this Easter are on the Media Centre website.
Comment number 1.
At 10:38 6th Apr 2012, Jo Moore wrote:There are plenty of programmes for Christians over the Easter weekend. Why are there no programmes about the Pagan origins of Easter. There are plenty of people in this country that follow the old traditions which where here well before Christianity was introduced. Easter is the Pagan festival of fertility, and there is nothing in the BBC progamming regarding this. Maybe you should take this on board for next year.
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Comment number 2.
At 21:04 9th Apr 2012, Revd D wrote:I would like to thank the Religious Programmes Dept. for the Christian content they have given on BBC's 1&2 over the Easter period. The content has been very helpful for all types of Christians. I also would like to thank you for the Chaplains Angels of Mersey which shows the Christian Church working at the real situations of life not just singing and worshipping in Church. I have also enjoyed the variety on Songs of Praise showing the vast range of Christian music available in today's church. In a period in history that many Christian feel under attack from Pagans, Atheists and the Secular society it's encouraging to see a fair coverage for a festival that has its origins in the Christian Church. Again many thanks for your support.
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