The CoE members have also accused the broadcaster of marginalising the remaining programmes. Some Anglicans feel that the media is eroding Christian influence in British national life.

The BBC has denied their claims, and insisted that religious broadcasting has actually increased in recent years to an annual total of 164 hours. But the corporation's religious affairs correspondent, Robert Pigott, said that the motion has already gathered support.

A BBC spokeswoman reportedly said that the BBC's total religion and ethics hours broadcast, across all its television portfolio have remained above the 2004-05 figure of 155 hours.