Editing Religious broadcasting (section)

{{Short description|Dissemination of religious matter on television and radio}}
{{About|broadcasting related to religion|the spirituality-focused literary genre|theological fiction|genres of Christian arts|Christian media}}
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{{Globalize|article|Christianity|Anglophone|3name=the [[English-speaking world]]|South Asia|date=November 2017}}
{{expert needed|1=Islam|ex2=Judaism|ex3=Hinduism|ex4=Buddhism|reason=Article needs more non-Christian examples|date=November 2017}}
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'''Religious broadcasting''', sometimes referred to as '''faith-based broadcasts''', is the dissemination of television and/or radio content that intentionally has religious ideas, religious experience, or religious practice as its core focus.  In some countries, religious broadcasting developed primarily within the context of public service provision (as in the UK), whilst in others, it has been driven more by [[religion|religious]] organisations themselves (as in the United States).  Across Europe and in the US and Canada, religious broadcasting began in the earliest days of radio, usually with the transmission of religious worship, preaching or "talks". Over time, formats evolved to include a broad range of styles and approaches, including radio and television drama, documentary, and chat show formats, as well as more traditional devotional content. Today, many religious organizations record sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their own web-based IP channels.<ref name="Armstrong1978">{{cite book|author=Ben Armstrong|title=Religious broadcasting sourcebook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4siJAAAAMAAJ|access-date=23 April 2013|year=1978|publisher=National Religious Broadcasters}}</ref>

Religious broadcasting can be funded [[commercial broadcasting|commercially]] or through some sort of [[public broadcasting]]-style arrangement (religious broadcasters are often recognized as [[non-profit]] organizations). Donations from listeners and viewers, often [[tax-deductible]], are solicited by some broadcasters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kpletv.org/|title=KPLE-TV|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> In the US, 42 percent of non-commercial radio stations currently have a religious format where on the other hand about 80 percent of the 2,400 Christian radio stations and 100 full-power Christian TV stations throughout the entire United States are considered non-profit.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=November 2017|title=Religious Broadcasting|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/osp/inc-report/INoC-11-Religious-Broadcasting.pdf|journal=FCC|pages=2 }}</ref>

In some countries, particularly those with an established [[state religion]], broadcasting related to one particular religion only is allowed, or in some cases required. For example, a function of the state-owned [[Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation#Legal basis|Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation]] is by law "to broadcast such programmes as may promote Islamic ideology, national unity and principles of democracy, freedom equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam..." (s. 10(1)(b)).

Broadcasting in both radio and TV has taken on a new look with the development of the internet and mobile devices. Internet radio stations and internet TV stations have been on the rise over the last few years. The main reason for the increase is that the cost to set up and operate is significantly less than traditional radio and TV stations. This is huge for religious organisations as it allows them to put their religious content to a world wide audience at a fraction of the cost.