Читать книгу The Atlas of Religion - Joanne O'Brien - Страница 56

In 2005, broadcasts on a Christian theme reached a worldwide audience of almost 2 billion people via commercial, governmental or specifically Christian stations. Two-thirds of programmes were on radio and one-third on television. Christian agencies and networks spent $6 billion on Christian broadcasting. The USA produces the greatest volume of Christian broadcasting and also has the highest regular audience. Worldwide, urban areas are likely to have more exposure to new forms of electronic media, but advances in satellite technology mean that programmes are increasingly being received in remote rural areas. Satellite transmitters are also reaching hitherto closed areas such as the Middle East, where certain states ban internal Christian broadcasting. Since its beginnings in 1921, Christian broadcasting has been the most effective form of Christian evangelism. One of the most successful broadcast ministries has been the Lutheran Hour. Started in 1930, it is the world’s longest-running Christian outreach radio programme. It is heard by 1.2 million people weekly over 800 radio stations across North America, but is also broadcast internationally on the American Forces Network, thereby expanding its audience to 40 million regular listeners.