More interest in the Bible in Bulgaria due to Christian television

3xM publishes a research on the impact of her Christian television programs of her partner Studio 865 in Bulgaria today. The most important results are encouraging. The program ‘Christianity attracts more viewers than the other programs on the same channel. Besides this 60% of the interviewed people indicate that ‘Christianity’ is the best or a better program than most of the TV programs which they watch. As a result of the program, 31% have become more interested to read the Bible. And 12% stated that they will attend a church service again or do this more often.

Impact

In the program ‘Christianity’, current issues in society, such as Christianity and Islam, or aggression at schools, are discussed from a Christian perspective. The program consists of among other things, a studio interview, commentaries and a Christian news program. It is very important for 3xM to investigate the impact of the programs which it supports. Martien Timmer, International director of 3xM explains: “Impact research helps us to see what the effects of Christian programs are in human lives. It gives us the opportunity to improve our work in God’s kingdom, so that we can make Him known to more people!”

Improvement

The impact research was performed in Plovdiv, Burgas and Varna, for which 2,667 people were interviewed. In addition to this research was done by means of focus groups and finally viewers of ‘Christianity’ were asked to fill in a question form on internet. Based on the results of the impact research, Studio 865 feels encouraged in carrying out her mission. At the same time it is a challenge to search more carefully for topics which are relevant for the viewers. Family life, for instance, is under great pressure in Bulgaria. In the media family is depicted as something which is out of date and old-fashioned. Studio 865 hopes to attract a greater viewing public with her programs on familiar topics and in this way reach even more people with the hopeful message of the gospel.

3xM

For more than 30 years 3xM helps local Christians in producing and broadcasting television programs. Passing on knowledge is part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries in which few Christians live in the so-called 10/40 window and is mainly active in West-Africa, Asia, Turkey and Bulgaria.