Songs Of Praise Makeover

[Ann]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30070899

Sounds disappointing - I liked it just as it was ............. but will let you know later!
Do you watch Songs of Praise?

[jno]

the proof of the pudding is in the eating; maybe you'll like the new style more (but give it a couple of weeks to get into its stride and yourself a couple of weeks to adjust)

[Ann]

Yes I know jno - but I see it's changing to a "magazine-style" format, I preferred the church settings and hymn singing from congregations. Many of my friends watched it for that reason, will be interesting to see what happens to the viewing figures.
Change isn't always for the better when it's a programme which has been popular for years.

[jno]

viewing is apparently in long-term declline, though. Best figures I could find are that it was watched by a quarter of the population in the early 1990s, say about 12 million people, 5-6 million in 1998, and 3.4 million in 2009.

[THECORBYLOON]

In 2012, the average age of its viewers was sixty-five and only two years later it has jumped to mid-seventies. With audience figures declining and the average age shooting up, I am surprised it's going still!

[Ann]

Yes Corby - but a lot of the elderly house-bound loved it and it was their only chance to join in a church service.

I suppose it's now too expensive for the BBC to take film crews around the country to different churches to record services.

Strange they can find the money to send dozens of journalists half way round the round just to cover one news story!

[THECORBYLOON]

If the average age has increased by seven years in a two-year period and the viewers have left in droves, what changes would you suggest?

[murraymints]

I watch it and enjoy a good old karaoke style sing along to old forgotten hymns....even the non Catholic ones...like Aled Jones best !

[Ann]

Doubt Aled will be on in the new format Minty :(

[janbee]

Minty, I like Aled Jones too

[Ann]

Hope everyone complains to the BBC but I suppose we must wait and see first!

[quinie]

Yes,Ann,I've watched it for years.We'll just have to wait and see-it might be OK.Don't think complaints will have any effect.
Requests are made every year for a return to a traditional Scottish Hogmanay but the same reasons for change are trotted out.

[sandyRoe]

Will synagogues, mosques, and Catholic churches get a turn now?

[cupid04]

Yes, I do record it to watch at my convenience...will let you know what I think of new format.

[Butterbun]

I watch this too and think Aled Jones does a brilliant job. Will wait and see what this new format is like.

[Zeuhl]

Like many Brands and products, 'Songs of Praise' is seeing its audience die off.

Presumable, they will want to appeal to the upcoming older audience of moderately religious people aged 45+

[jourdain2]

I've watched it for years. I'll wait and see, but it was brought in as a swap for a church service for the housebound (I think I'm right, but it was a long time ago, so I stand to be corrected) and the new format seems to be a long way from that.

Doubt if mosques will join in sandyRoe, music and singing are frowned on! :)

[cupid04]

Just watched this and wondered if Connie wassisname's orange hair was part of the new look....lol! Wasn't bad except for the first song. Not too keen on songs that just repeat the same line over and over.

[quinie]

I enjoyed it.