MS
Does anyone have any idea of the audience levels for new wave religious channels, or the type of exposure that they actually get?
RO
Ok, I'll do it anyway.
First, to save myself from needless repetition - I refer you to this blog entry of mine which deals with one complaint about this channel.
Around 5am this morning, I was channel surfing and decided to check out the God Channel, which I often watch really for a cheap laugh (not at religion, but at their 'tactics'). I only caught the end of the '700 Club', what I believe to be a Christian discussion/preachfest show. There was a report about a man who from a very young age was sexually confused and discovered he was gay. Although not a 'declared' christian (wow, it feels like signing up to the Galactic Empire) he always acknowledged God's existence. He then realised God was punishing him for being gay, by killing his grandfather, seriously injuring his friend in a car accident, and making his boyfriend leave him to become a christian. This led him to become 'very angry with God', and turned to drugs/alcohol etc. before attempting suicide. Twice. Eventually, he realised that homosexuality is one of the 'lies' created by Satan, and so dropped the 'homsexual way of life' to become a Christian.
Um, what the...
The show ended with a little piece-to-camera reminding us that God will forgive our sins - whether killing someone, drug abuse, or sleeping with another man (don't they just go together so well?) and follow the Christian way.
Surrounded by all these clever, TV people - I'm sure I could get a straight answer about this. The Mission Week I refer to in my blog entry above forced me to complain to Ofcom (or perhaps the ITC back then) around October 03. I received a reply which basically told me that they have no control over GOD TV since they're actually regulated by the Spanish regulator, which I assume is much more lax.
Now, I refer to the recent complaints regarding Fox News and the comments made by...whoever it was, about the BBC being anti-American. I believe one of the threats made by Ofcom, was that it's license to rebroadcast in the UK could be terminated. So, how can the God Channel possibly be exempt from this? Or, are they? I hope to raise this with Ofcom in the near future to try get a clearer answer.
Sorry, about the rant, this channel just makes me absolutely livid. And I know there's a simple 'if you don't like it, don't watch it' attitude, but I find it difficult to stand by idley when they steal millions of pounds like this.
If you remember Auction World - people tend to think just because they broadcast on TV, that there must be an air of quality and respectability, when in fact they were just the TV equivalent of those market traders selling you fake goods.
Thanks for your time, and I'd appreciate any comment on whether or not Ofcom really do have any power to cut them off, should they be so inclined?
First, to save myself from needless repetition - I refer you to this blog entry of mine which deals with one complaint about this channel.
Around 5am this morning, I was channel surfing and decided to check out the God Channel, which I often watch really for a cheap laugh (not at religion, but at their 'tactics'). I only caught the end of the '700 Club', what I believe to be a Christian discussion/preachfest show. There was a report about a man who from a very young age was sexually confused and discovered he was gay. Although not a 'declared' christian (wow, it feels like signing up to the Galactic Empire) he always acknowledged God's existence. He then realised God was punishing him for being gay, by killing his grandfather, seriously injuring his friend in a car accident, and making his boyfriend leave him to become a christian. This led him to become 'very angry with God', and turned to drugs/alcohol etc. before attempting suicide. Twice. Eventually, he realised that homosexuality is one of the 'lies' created by Satan, and so dropped the 'homsexual way of life' to become a Christian.
Um, what the...
The show ended with a little piece-to-camera reminding us that God will forgive our sins - whether killing someone, drug abuse, or sleeping with another man (don't they just go together so well?) and follow the Christian way.
Surrounded by all these clever, TV people - I'm sure I could get a straight answer about this. The Mission Week I refer to in my blog entry above forced me to complain to Ofcom (or perhaps the ITC back then) around October 03. I received a reply which basically told me that they have no control over GOD TV since they're actually regulated by the Spanish regulator, which I assume is much more lax.
Now, I refer to the recent complaints regarding Fox News and the comments made by...whoever it was, about the BBC being anti-American. I believe one of the threats made by Ofcom, was that it's license to rebroadcast in the UK could be terminated. So, how can the God Channel possibly be exempt from this? Or, are they? I hope to raise this with Ofcom in the near future to try get a clearer answer.
Sorry, about the rant, this channel just makes me absolutely livid. And I know there's a simple 'if you don't like it, don't watch it' attitude, but I find it difficult to stand by idley when they steal millions of pounds like this.
If you remember Auction World - people tend to think just because they broadcast on TV, that there must be an air of quality and respectability, when in fact they were just the TV equivalent of those market traders selling you fake goods.
Thanks for your time, and I'd appreciate any comment on whether or not Ofcom really do have any power to cut them off, should they be so inclined?
SJ
I honestly suggest, if you'd like to learn more about being a Christian... listen to Premier Radio and not watch God TV. As you originally declared, you watch it for a joke, and that's what a lot of the stuff is - although well meaning, it is just OTT.
Similarly, from what you say, it seems to be the blokes opinion and not the opinion of the TV Channel, so I'm not quite sure your complaint would be acknowledged even if OFCOM were involved.
The GOD Channel really are well meaning though, and I can positively tell you there are no under-hand tactics. the fact that most of it seems to be American however does not help matters, as, I too agree that it seems a bit a joke with some of the stuff it does.
Similarly, from what you say, it seems to be the blokes opinion and not the opinion of the TV Channel, so I'm not quite sure your complaint would be acknowledged even if OFCOM were involved.
The GOD Channel really are well meaning though, and I can positively tell you there are no under-hand tactics. the fact that most of it seems to be American however does not help matters, as, I too agree that it seems a bit a joke with some of the stuff it does.
SP
I'm with Barney on this one. They wouldn't have got away with this they'd been talking about (for example) Muslims instead.
I'm surprised at the response from Ofcom. Surely every channel broadcast for viewing in Britain has to come under their jurisdiction. Whoever's regulating channels abroad is irrelevant. Otherwise I've no doubt you'd be able to access hard-core porn on Sky which had been approved by the Dutch (or whichever) regulator.
I'm surprised at the response from Ofcom. Surely every channel broadcast for viewing in Britain has to come under their jurisdiction. Whoever's regulating channels abroad is irrelevant. Otherwise I've no doubt you'd be able to access hard-core porn on Sky which had been approved by the Dutch (or whichever) regulator.
GC
No, every channel does NOT have to be regulated by ofcom.
Under EU law, (the television trans frontiers(/) directive) any broadcaster licenced under any member state may freely transmit and rebroadcast into another.
It works 2 ways...many scandinavian sat broadcasters are uk licenced becouse the rules over advertising (and lucrative kids/toy/food ads) are lighter here.
Motors TV are another non-uk broadcaster with a sky epg.
You could licence a channel in spain/italy for example and target the UK...gaining a sky epg number, without ofcoms say-so.
You just have to forfill the obligations of the licencing country.
a suprisingly large number of telly types don't know this....
Under EU law, (the television trans frontiers(/) directive) any broadcaster licenced under any member state may freely transmit and rebroadcast into another.
It works 2 ways...many scandinavian sat broadcasters are uk licenced becouse the rules over advertising (and lucrative kids/toy/food ads) are lighter here.
Motors TV are another non-uk broadcaster with a sky epg.
You could licence a channel in spain/italy for example and target the UK...gaining a sky epg number, without ofcoms say-so.
You just have to forfill the obligations of the licencing country.
a suprisingly large number of telly types don't know this....
)
IS
That'll be Premier Radio who got fined for broadcasting anti-gay nonsense a few years ago then is it?
sjdavis posted:
I honestly suggest, if you'd like to learn more about being a Christian... listen to Premier Radio and not watch God TV. As you originally declared, you watch it for a joke, and that's what a lot of the stuff is - although well meaning, it is just OTT.
That'll be Premier Radio who got fined for broadcasting anti-gay nonsense a few years ago then is it?