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With God on Our Side: A Comparative Study of Religious Broadcasting in the USA and the UK 1921-1995: The Impact of Personality. Ian Robertson A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Media & Communication Talbot Campus Fern Barrow Poole Dorset BH12 5BB © Ian Robertson 2020 1 ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to examine the extent to which the personality of key individuals not regulators, or churches or governments, contributed to the impact of religious broadcasting. In order to put this in context, the thesis will first sketch the backdrop of mass communications and the development of broadcasting within it, as well as the religious influences of the era and models of personality, whilst also undertaking a comparative examination of religious broadcasting in the USA and the UK from 1921 to 1995; years indicative of the commencement of religious broadcasting in the USA and in terms of the latter, the introduction of the first licenced Christian Radio Station in the UK. It will highlight the historical and legislative context in which this genre of broadcasting evolved and the pioneers who took to the stage and became household names. Equally the research will illustrate the differing programming styles and programme makers of the US and the UK and the organisations that grew up around them to make the broadcasts possible. The thesis will take a macro view of broadcasting in this period, in order to highlight the significant role of personalities in the formation and development of religious broadcasting. So as broadcasting in the UK moves from a monopoly status controlled by the BBC, to adopt and add a commercial environment similar to the USA, the thesis will examine the impact this has on the style and content of religious broadcasting. The research will also trace the battles that some religious groups in the UK fought to gain the sort of access to religious broadcasting experienced in the USA, whilst others resisted such opportunities. It will highlight the significance of the 1990 Broadcasting Act, with its lighter touch regulation, thus opening the first possibility for religious groups to own and run radio stations. 2 Audiences in broadcasting are of real importance in terms of size and demographics and the study will look at the nature and dynamics of the audiences for religious broadcasting and what similarities and differences there were between the USA and the UK. Finally, in order to crystallise the issues outlined, the thesis will create two case studies of Christian broadcasting programmes, one from the USA and one from the UK, looking at their governance, structures, programme styles, funding, on air personalities and their relative audiences. It is hoped this will reveal something, in these two tangible examples, of the personality dimension in this unique area of religious broadcasting, as it existed in the USA and here in the UK, during the 20th Century. ***** 3 Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all those who have helped me in the course of researching and writing this thesis. I would particularly like to thank my supervisory team of Professor Hugh Chignell and Dr. Richard Wallis at Bournemouth University’s Media School. Their patience, motivation, immense knowledge and on-going advice, has been invaluable in helping this senior citizen turn an ambition into a reality in the production of this study. Also important to mention is the help and guidance provided by Jan Lewis from the Media School and Natalie Stewart from the Doctoral College. Both of whom remained constantly available to answer the many questions that arose during the last three years. Thanks must also go to the teams at the BBC Written Archives, The British Library, Lambeth Palace, Church of England Records Office, National Religious Broadcasters in the United States and of course our own excellent library staff in particular Ian Marsland and Phil Stocks who assisted considerably with finding and securing relevant resources. I am also indebted to all my interviewees, many of who have had considerable experience in the field of religious broadcasting and were so willing to share both their expertise and heart on the subject. 4 Neither must I forget the inspiration of Dr. Tony Stoller, who like me was a media professional who trod this road before me and remained a source of help and encouragement throughout. Finally I am extremely grateful to my close family and friends who have stood by me throughout this challenging time, but especially to my son Justin, daughter Penny and son-in- law John, who always made me feel this was an important adventure and to my late Mother and Father to whom I always promised if life should ever deliver me this opportunity, I would carpe diem (seize the day). ***** 5 Declaration This thesis represents the original work of Ian Robertson unless otherwise stated in the text. The research upon which it is based was carried out at Bournemouth University under the supervision of Professor Hugh Chignell and Dr. Richard Wallis during the period May 2017 to May 2020. Signed Ian Robertson 29th May 2020 ***** 6 Table of Contents Abstract 2 Acknowledgements 4 Declaration 6 Table of Contents 7 INTRODUCTION 1. Definitions 13 2. Facing the Challenge/Contribution to Knowledge 13 3. Key Research Questions 16 4. Structure of the Thesis. 16 5. Methodology 21 CHAPTER 1 MAPPING THE TERRITORY 26 Literature Review: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants 1. The Crucible of Mass Communications 27 2. The Saga of Broadcasting 32 3. The Anatomy of Religion 43 4. The Impact of Personality 55 5. Religious Broadcasting 64 7 CHAPTER 2. GOD IS MARCHING ON 82 The Birth and Development of Religious Broadcasting 1921-1955 1. The United States Blazes a Trail 82 a) The Foundations are laid: 1921-1934 82 b) A Time of Strategic Maturation: 1934-1955 88 c) To the Ends of the Earth: Mission in the Ether 93 2. The United Kingdom learns to inform, educate, entertain and inspire. 95 a) The Reithian Years 95 b) Beyond Reith 104 c) Sound and Vision 109 3. Summary 117 CHAPTER 3 NEW HORIZONS The Expansion of Religious Television and Radio 1955-1995 121 1. The American Experience 121 2. The Mould is Broken in the UK 134 3. The Radio Revolution 147 4. The Battles with Regulators, Broadcasters 150 and Government 8 a) The Approach of the Central Religious Advisory 151 Committee (CRAC) b) Cable, Satellite and the Channel 4 Factor 154 c) The Battle for Freedoms 159 5. Summary 165 CHAPTER 4 THE HALL OF FAME 169 The Champions of Religious Broadcasting 1. A Spectrum of Significance 169 2. The Key Personalities 174 a) John C.W.Reith 174 b) Rev Dick Sheppard 179 c) W.H.Elliott 184 d) Aimee Semple McPherson 188 e) Father Charles Coughlin 194 f) Mother Mary Angelica 198 g) Dr.Billy Graham 201 h) Oral Roberts 206 i) Pat Robertson 210 J) Jerry Falwell 215 3. Summary 223 9 CHAPTER 5 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS 227 The Relationship between the Churches and Broadcasting 1. An American Dynamic 227 a) The Traditionalists 228 b) The Evangelicals 236 2. The British Reserve 241 a) A New Ministry Door Opens 242 b) A Whole New World 250 3. Summary 259 CHAPTER 6 AUDIENCE IS KING 261 An Assessment of the Significance of Audiences for Religious Broadcasting 1. The Challenge of Research 261 2. An American Review 263 a) Size Matters 263 b) The Characteristics of Religious Broadcasting Audiences 266 c) Why Do People Watch Particular Religious Television Programmes? 271 10 3. A Very British Approach 273 a) Early Days 273 b) The Scope of BBC Research 275 c) What Does the Audience Research Reveal? 276 4. A Commercial Perspective 283 a) The Audience and Religious Television 284 b) Godwatching 286 c) Highway and Songs of Praise 287 d) Seeing is Believing 289 5. Summary 291 CHAPTER 7. ON THE CASE 294 A Comparative Study of a USA and UK Religious Programme 1. Introduction 294 2. The Cases 295 a) PTL Club 295 b) Stars on Sunday 312 3. Summary 322 11 CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSION 326 Following the Evidence 1. The Panorama Portrayed 326 2. The Implications of the History 329 3. The Proposition of the Thesis 332 CHRONOLOGY 335 BIBLIOGRAPHY 343 APPENDICES 1) Key UK Media Institutions 1 2) Key US Media Institutions 7 3) UK Broadcasting Reports/Committees 14 4) Highlights of UK and US Broadcasting Legislation 21 5) A Radio Poem 26 6) Vatican Documents: Re: Media 27 7) Archives Consulted 28 8) Interviewees 34 12 INTRODUCTION 1. Definitions Religious broadcasting is a specialized kind of broadcasting, as are sports, classical music, drama, news and current affairs and so on (Emmanuel 1999, p.154). For the purposes of this study ‘religious broadcasting’ is defined as predominantly (though not entirely) Christian based radio and television programmes where religious ideas, experience and practice are highlighted. This all-inclusive generic ascription was adopted from the inception of broadcasting in the USA and the UK by the broadcasters themselves and followed in this thesis, in line with all the literature featured. In some countries, like the UK, religious broadcasting developed within the context of a public service structure (Bailey 2007, p.5-6), whilst in others like America we see a more commercial context driven more by personalities and religious organisations (Dickenson 1983, p.21). The format for religious broadcasting tended, in the beginning, to be the transmission of worship or preaching, but eventually developed into documentaries, radio and television dramas, chat shows, films and debates (Gunter and Viney 1994, p.29-33).

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