The BBC has announced a comprehensive schedule of content across its platforms – TV, iPlayer, radio, and BBC Sounds – to observe Easter and other significant faith festivals throughout the spring season. The lineup includes worship, documentaries, music, and factual entertainment.
Here’s the Lowdown: Key Easter programming features live worship services from St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol (BBC One) and Canterbury Cathedral (Radio 4). Gareth Malone returns with Gareth Malone’s Messiah, staging Handel’s classic work. Songs of Praise offers three specials: exploring women in the Easter story (April 13th), an Easter Sunday celebration from Southwark (April 20th), and a gospel music focus (April 27th). BBC One will also broadcast the Pope’s Urbi et Orbi message live from Rome on Easter Sunday morning.
What This Means Now: The schedule demonstrates the BBC’s commitment to reflecting diverse faiths. Beyond Easter, programming includes the return of Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps, Celebration Kitchen episodes focusing on Passover and Wesak Day, Amol Rajan’s documentary on the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India (Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges), and special broadcasts marking Eid from Bradford (Eid Live and Celebrity Eid).
The Bigger Picture: This marks the fifth year of the BBC’s “Faith and Hope” season, aiming to provide content that connects with audiences regardless of their personal beliefs. The programming spans major Christian observances alongside Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim festivals, featuring bespoke content for Ramadan, Eid, and Vaisakhi on platforms like BBC Asian Network and BBC Sounds, fulfilling the broadcaster’s public service remit.
