Synod's concern on TV schedules

THE Church of England yesterday expressed "deep concern" about a reduction in religious broadcasting on British television.

Members of the Church of England's national assembly, the General Synod, overwhelmingly backed a motion criticising a decline in religious programming, but rejected an attempt to narrow the focus of criticism to the BBC.

Nigel Holmes, a former BBC radio producer, told the meeting in London that in 20 years the output of general programme channels on BBC TV had doubled, but the hours of religious broadcasting on TV were fewer and were scheduled at less accessible times.