Religious Tv

Ashley Sanchez

COM-126

Toni Bower

July 28, 2012

Religious Television – Uses and Gratifications

Religious television has made a significant impact in the lives of viewers. Like any show, people have specific reason for watching it and the uses and gratification approach shows this. It answers questions like why? When? And how often? The uses and gratification approach can also be applied to Reality TV to better understand why people are so interested in it and on what terms.

Religious television is defined as a TV show centered around religious issues or topics, and/or a program available through a religious network. Fifty-one percent of religious television viewers are instrumental viewers meaning they seek for information and knowledge, and are mostly new watchers programs aimed towards enlightenment (Abelman, 1987). Ritualized television users are also found among religious television viewers. They are typically unsatisfied with commercial television and select religious TV as an alternative and not necessarily for the religious-orientation of the programming.

Religious television shows such as, “The 700 Club”, “Bible Bowl”, “Davy and Goliath”, and “Another Life” consists of a variety of different genres including, talk shows, children’s shows, game shows particularly making religious television shows appealing to a diverse group of TV lovers (Abelman, 1987). However, these shows are also found incorporated with other non-religious family entertainment. Many of these shows offer spiritual guidance and call for action from viewers to assist in financial support for the cost of production and ministries (4). Although we might believe the majority of people watch religious television for religious purposes, Dennis found that there are other factors that play into the role of religious TV viewing, which include, information, and entertainment possibly from the uplifting music. Also, an astonishing 14 percent of the participants in a national survey...