20 Years of PBS Show ‘Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly’ Come to an End Feb. 24, 2017

By Derek Welch --
21 Dec 2016 --

The PBS show Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly to air final episode in 2017.

The award-winning weekly public television series, Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly is coming to an end next year after a 20 year run. The show, whose 1,000th episode aired on November 18, will broadcast its final episode on Feb 24, 2017. The program, founded by Bob Abernethy and launched in 1997, has covered and analyzed worldwide news about religion for 20 years. Each year, the show produced 52 weekly programs and quickly established itself over the years as a credible, thoughtful, and balanced source for religion news.

20 Years of PBS Show ‘Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly’ Come to an End Feb. 24, 2017[/tweetthis]

In a news release, the host and executive editor Abernethy said, “It has been a great privilege to report the many ways people of faith worship and serve others. We are deeply grateful to our thoughtful staff and also to our viewers, many of whom have told us the program consistently affirms the values they most respect.” A statement was not given as to why the series is ending.

Stephen Segaller, WNET Vice President of Programming said, “WNET is honored to have been the producing station for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly all these years. We take great pride in all the awards and accolades the series has deservedly garnered during this time.”

This one of a kind TV show built a reputation by producing documentary segments of insightful perspectives, meaningful stories and discussions with scholars, policy analysts and newsmakers examining religion's role and the ethical dimensions behind top news headlines.

They have interviewed many dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama, the Aga Kahn, and President Jimmy Carter; profiled a number of men and women of faith, such as pastor Rick Warren, evangelist Billy Graham, novelist Marilynne Robinson, Cardinal Blase Cupich, gospel musician Kirk Franklin, authors Max Lucado and Joni Eareckson Tada and many others.

The sad news is now out. After 20 years of groundbreaking religion coverage, @ReligionEthics is coming to an end https://t.co/G40VqDiZVG
— Kim Lawton (@KimLawtonRandE) December 15, 2016

Oh man. We can't have nice things. PBS show ‘Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly’ to end after 20-year run https://t.co/QKR4plxjwI via @AMBankstw
— Sarah Pulliam Bailey (@spulliam) December 15, 2016

This earned the show more than 200 industry awards, including Wilbur, New York Festival, Gracie Allen and taking all 2016 Religion News Association honors for Excellence in Television News Magazine Religion Reporting.

The Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly website will remain available so that people can access an extensive archive which includes streaming videos and transcripts of individual shows.