This paper identifies four main characteristics of Islamic television programs. They are reality and objectivity, comprehensiveness, moderation and application of Islamic distinctive features. A questionnaire was distributed to the broadcasters of Al-Hijrah Television to determine their perception on the characteristics of applying the aforementioned characteristics to their programs. Programs of Al-Hijrah Television were also observed to further investigate the application of the characteristics to Al-Hijrah Television programs. The main finding of this paper is that despite the satisfaction of Al-Hijrah Television broadcasters, the application of the four characteristics to Islamic television programs does not suffice the need of the audience. It was also found out that drama programs are more effective than traditional programs in delivering the Islamic message despite the rarity of Islamic drama.

This paper is based on a PhD study of the content of Islamic television broadcasting. Even though there are attempts in the Muslim world to produce Islamic television programs, most of the programs do not comply with Islamic rules either because of some content that includes some scenes that are not Islamic or because of the format that is usually rudimentary and unattractive. This paper focuses on Islamic television programs. It identifies important characteristics of Islamic television content such as reality and objectivity, comprehensiveness, moderation and application of Islamic distinctive features. It also identifies four characteristics of Islamic television programs format; which are artistic production, delivering indirect messages, adapting the message to the audience, and simplicity and frequency.

Islamic television programs become a need for Muslim audiences in the post-modern era due to the high speed technology advancement that the world is witnessing. Al-Hijrah television channel is a Malaysian channel that is shouldering the responsibility to distribute the Islamic message to South East Asian Muslims. This paper analyzes the programs of al-Hijrah television. The programs were analyzed based on both frequency and duration. The main finding of this paper is that al-Hijrah is trying to keep away from being traditional religious channel by broadcasting a diversity of programs not only focusing on talk show programs. However, even though some programs are not categorized as talk show; the feature of traditionalism is dominant.