from The Scotsman - 9th September 2006
http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1332382006
Christian radio station
takes revival message to airwaves
by JASON CUMMING
SCOTLAND'S first full-time Christian radio station has been launched - ending a ten-year battle for a permanent place on the airwaves.
Revival FM broadcasts a mix of music and talk as well as programmes such as Bible studies and Sunday church services from its purpose-built £80,000 studio.
However, the station has banned music by artists deemed to be "anti-Christian" and humour poking fun at any denomination is also considered off-limits.
Backers predicted that up to 85,000 people each month will tune in, while its online broadcasts have already attracted listeners from 80 countries.
Ian Dunlop, the chairman of the non-profit station, said: "It's not 'church on the radio' or 'bible bashing'. We are not broadcasting exclusively to Christians. It's about airing Christian values. People want to hear Scottish voices in a Scottish cultural context. Churchgoers are our core audience but the rest of the community can tune in and enjoy it just the same."
Revival FM aims to offer a range of "family programming" including individual shows targeting children and pensioners with others focusing on local issues.
It will not play "music associated with musicians or singers who have espoused anti-Christian sentiments or views" or lyrics which are contrary to Biblical beliefs or ethics. However, the station does feature a small amount of secular music as well as Christian rap and hard rock from bands such as Delirious? - who have had mainstream UK Top 20 success, Grammy-nominated All Star United, and dance pioneers the Tribe.
Ian Arbuckle, a presenter, admitted rules banning "anti-Christian" music had caused problems when colleagues realised lyrics were "not quite right" mid-song. He said: "We're very keen to get away from the perception that Christian music is staid and out of date. "If you're competing with Real Radio and Radio Clyde you have to try to hook people in and a lot of stuff these days is better than what's in the charts."
Mr Dunlop added: "We tend to be fairly middle of the road. You might hear Britney Spears occasionally but you'll get hungry waiting for her." A team of about 50 volunteers broadcasts up to 14 hours of original content live daily with the remainder pre-recorded. The station aims to provide "24/7 access to God's word and Spirit-filled music".
Revival FM has operated for up to two months annually on temporary licences since 1996. Ofcom, the communications regulator, last year gave it permission to broadcast 24 hours a day. Its website received 3,000 hits on Sunday as it started broadcasting continuously.
Based in Cumbernauld, the station can be heard at 100.8FM in an area including much of Glasgow, and stretching west to Paisley, north to Falkirk and east to Linlithgow.
Religious leaders welcomed the launch and said there was an "untapped market" for Christian broadcasting.
Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: "At the moment, the Christian perspective on many major issues is either ignored or marginalised by the media.
"On an average Sunday, 600,000 Scots go to Christian churches - compared to 300,000 who go to the cinema in any given week and 110,000 who go to watch SPL football matches. That is really not reflected on the airwaves right now.
"Compared to the amount of time dedicated to football, it begs the question of why we don't have a dozen Christian radio stations."
Morag Mylne, convener of the Church of Scotland's church and society council, added: "I don't necessarily see it as a mechanism for getting people back into church but it may get people thinking about living a Christian life."
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1332382006
