The latest BBC repeats? Songs of Praise hymns
THE BBC came under fire last night over plans to slash the cost of Songs Of Praise by broadcasting more repeats of hymns from its archive.
A document reveals that producers have been asked to ‘streamline’ the amount of new music filmed in churches and cathedrals each year and instead use its ‘extraordinary existing library’ of previously recorded hymns.
The show’s budget could also be reduced by up to 12.5 per cent, from £4million to £3.5million a year, as part of belt-tightening across the BBC, it is claimed.
The Corporation has now invited production companies to submit plans to make the show after its existing contract with Avanti Media and Nine Lives Media expires. Episodes under the new deal will begin airing from next June and run until 2024. Documents reported by The Times reveal the broadcaster has told potential producers: ‘We especially welcome ideas around utilising the extraordinary existing library of music, thus streamlining the volume of new music captured each year while maintaining viewers’ expectation of the series.’
With more than one million viewers, Song Of Praise – launched in 1961 – remains the BBC’s biggest religious TV show.
Its presenters include singers Aled Jones and Katherine Jenkins and priest Kate Bottley.
Michael Nazir-Ali, former Anglican Bishop of Rochester, urged BBC chiefs to safeguard the programme. He said: ‘If it’s a cost-cutting exercise, then I think that is unfortunate. I think they should keep up their level of investment in a programme like that, which continues to be popular.
‘There are new ways of doing older hymns. For instance, there are new renderings of Amazing Grace that are very good. Of course, there should be an investment in new music to familiarise people with new music.’
Andrea Williams of campaign group Christian Concern said: ‘What we need on our screens is more Christianity, not less – the real kind of Christianity that is unashamed of its message and the hope it brings to society.’
Calvin Robinson, a deacon in the Free Church of England, said: ‘I am glad to
‘We need more Christianity on our screens, not less’
see they are continuing it but I would like to see more original content. I am sad to hear that they are going to be repeating old content.’
Hugh Morris, director of the Royal School of Church Music, told The Times: ‘It’s quite important to reflect that church music isn’t something of the past. It is something that remains alive and active.’
It is understood that the scale of the potential cuts to Song Of Praise has not yet been agreed and producers could still secure further funding.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Music is integral to Songs Of Praise and this tender is not asking suppliers to reduce the number of new hymns, but rather calling for creative ideas for their use alongside the programme’s extraordinary back catalogue.’
The BBC needs to save £1.4billion by 2027 after the licence fee was frozen at £159 per household in January.