East Belfast Mission to broadcast live on RTÉ
Rev Brian Anderson, East Belfast Mission
For over 30 years, most televised Christian Worship on RTÉ has come from the broadcaster’s Donnybrook studios, but, while this model has served audiences well, it has involved bringing small representative sample groups from parishes and schools to Dublin from all corners of the Island, a significant imposition on them with an associated carbon footprint.
Now, advances in camera technology and web-based delivery of content have made it possible to broadcast Christian Worship content directly from authentic congregational church settings.
At the end of 2025 RTÉ invited the Irish independent production sector to submit proposals based on this model. The broadcaster chose ‘Scratch Films’ to produce its Christian Worship Content to be broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player for the next three years.
With the ‘Scratch Films’ production model, through lightweight, light-sensitive robotic cameras and web-based delivery, it is now possible to produce Christian Worship content in every one of the 32 counties, across a wide variety of denominations, communities and worship styles.
This new approach commenced on Sunday 11th January, 2026, with transmissions coming directly from churches, marking a significant move away from studio-based broadcasting to local church locations and worship settings.
This Sunday, 15th March 2026, the first Irish Methodist service in this new format will be broadcast LIVE from East Belfast Mission (EBM) in the North Eastern District of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
The service will be led by the Rev Brian Anderson (Belfast East Circuit Superintendent), together with the leadership team and worship band from EBM. As it falls on St Patrick’s weekend, the theme will explore how Patrick acted as a social reformer in the Ireland of his time, and how his example challenges our faith to respond to the social issues of our own day.
Watch LIVE this Sunday on RTÉ One at 11am or catch up on RTÉ Player.