Two NBC Affiliates Pull Controversial 'Book of Daniel' from Line-Up
Two NBC affiliates have decided not to carry a controversial television program about the life of an Episcopal priest and his family.
Two NBC affiliates have decided not to carry a controversial television program about the life of an Episcopal priest and his family.
WTWO, an NBC affiliate in Terre Haute, Ind., and KARK in Little Rock, Ark., became the first television stations on Wednesday to announce they will not carry “The Book of Daniel,” a television program that has been assailed by the American Family Association for what it considers to be a negative portrayal of Christians.
“We have decided not to air the NBC program ‘the book of Daniel’ this Friday night,” said the KARK in a statement on its website. “We appreciate hearing from so many of our viewers who expressed opinions on both sides of the issue.
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The AFA has protested the program noting it includes as the main character, a priest who is struggling with an addiction to a prescription drug, his wife who has a problem with alcoholism and children who are dealing with issues of homosexuality, drugs and promiscuity. The show also features a Jesus character that only the priest can see and acts as a friend and counselor.
Both affiliates noted that they had been in contact with viewers. WTWO noted in its website that the decision was made partially because of phone calls and e-mails. KARK said that it had engaged viewers with opinions on both sides of the issue. Both stations have the same parent company, Nextstar Broadcasting Group.
AFA President Donald Wildmon told supporters in an e-mail letter to supporters on Wednesday to call local NBC affiliate advertisers and “ask in a nice way” to have their advertising removed.
“It is time to make our voice heard at NBC that we will not long remain silent about their anti-Christian bigotry,” said Wildmon, whose conservative Christian group has called for boycotts of other large companies over moral issues.
Jack Kenny, the show’s creator and its executive producer told the Hollywood Reporter that the show was not anti-Christian.
"We are not in any way satirizing Christianity or Jesus," he said. "It‘s done with love, honoring those things."
Despite the controversy, the general manager of KARK, Duane Lammers told the Hollywood Reporter that its decision was not made due to the program’s content but to protest unilateral decisions by the network, compensation, exclusivity and other decisions.
"This has nothing to do with the program and has nothing to do with the AFA," Lammers said. "I think the system is screwed up. I think the network thinks we are going to do whatever they tell us to do. I think the regulatory environment is flawed."
In his e-mail message, Wildmon claimed that NBC was having trouble securing sponsors and "it appears" that it will fill ad gaps with "distressed merchandise" ads at low cost and will also use other ads which don't bring in revenue.
