What Do You Think Channel 4

[chrisgel]

Is hoping to gain by this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2353250/Channel-4-broadcast-daily-Muslim-prayer-Ramadan-month.html

I'm curious as to why they are doing this. I would imagine that most Muslims would already have something in place and would also presume judging by some of the comments (Yes I know it's the Mail but their readers are viewers too)
that this will alienate some.
So I can only see a lose/lose situation here.
Any thoughts?

[rockyracoon]

It's at 3am so Peeps don't have to worry about Hollyoakes being disrupted.

[AB Editor]

Well, they do try an put across the anti-establishment view, so if they've annoyed the Mail maybe they'll say "job done"?

I quite like the prayer, or I did while I was sitting in a swimming pool at the top of a hotel overlooking Kuala Lumpur. The "local" ones can be a bit, er, naff.

I will be treating any message within with the same weary contempt I hold "thought for the day" in (or the Archers theme music).

[AB Editor]

"It's at 3am so Peeps don't have to worry about Hollyoakes being disrupted."

Oh, I missed that! Bit early for me. Might be fun for those who catch it.

[sunny-dave]

To brighten Ab_Ed's morning
.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeIEovjOVdI

[sp1814]

chrisgel

Why are they doing it?

Gain a few more viewers, open a debate and wind up some sections of the public. To whit - there are some Daily Mail readers who now will never watch CH4 again.

I would be very surprised if the Daily Mail and Channel 4 share a large cross-section demographic, so it's doubtful that it will hit viewing figures.

This is what CH4 used to be about...being a bit subversive, and the bane of Middle England.

I have a feeling though, that it will backfire somehow. Dunno.

[sp1814]

So it's at 03:00am!!!!

Oh for goodness sake.

[tonyav]

Channel 4, is that still going.

[chrisgel]

Sp - Have to admit I didn't read all the article. I went straight to comments for a laugh. It's funny how rage seems to affect peoples ability to spell isn't it.
Or is it the other way round?
I didn't spot the 03:00 time and to be honest I won't be staying up/getting up for it anyway.
As I said Muslims seem to have managed without Channel 4 for a long time so I was curious why CH4 were doing it.

[jim360]

I really don't care.

[meglet]

I just think its a pointless publicity stunt. The observant Muslims I know have a walkie-talkie type system direct front their local mosque so that they can be woken up with the call to prayer anyway.

[sp1814]

I smell publicity stunt too. The chiefs at CH4 must've known exactly what reaction they'd get.

[sandyRoe]

Does the BBC still broadcast the Urbi et Orbi address by the Pope on Easter Sunday? What do they hope to gain from that?

[chrisgel]

Sandy - The BBC has to have a percentage of religious programming, it's in their charter. Channel 4 have no such obligation.

[naomi24]

Channel 4 relishes the controversial. I can’t imagine many Muslims will sleep with televisions on at full blast in the hope that the sound wakes them at the prescribed moment.

[sp1814]

According to the article:

"There is also a legal requirement for the BBC and ITV to broadcast a certain amount of religious programming."

Try as I might (without looking it up online), I can't think of a single religious programme currently being broadcast on ITV.

Can anyone else (without cheating and using Google)?

[anotheoldgit]

3am ??????????

It's a good job they don't have to get up in the morning so as to go to work.

[mccfluff]

i think you may be confused AOG, muslims still go to work during ramadan

[boxtops]

I think it's OK, it's inclusive.

AOG, I don't know what you mean - Muslims rise this early every day at this time of year, for the morning prayer, then either go back to bed before work or stay up. During Ramadan they have to get breakfast in before the morning prayer too - people of my acquaintance are often tired due to the early start.

[Old_Geezer]

Not keen on established channels getting too involved in religious areas, but from what I can see this is just an very non-prime time equivalent of Songs of Praise, or Carols from Wherever, isn't it ? If so then it seems to me to be of more concern giving potential than it turns out to be once you look a bit deeper at it. I'd be concerned if they were broadcasting any religion throughout the day though. That's for the specialised TV channels to cover, should they wish.

[sp1814]

AOG

It's a good job that so many Asians run their own businesses - they can set their own hours, and share responsibilities with family members.

I'm sure you, like me, are aware that The latest data from 2006 suggests that Asian-owned businesses make up around 13 per cent of all London businesses and provide jobs to around 210,000 persons.