Overheard in an Auckland mall: a group of young people discussing a new television show they all watch on a Tuesday night, a show with interviews, personal testimonies and then a frenetic debate filled with strong opinions, laughter and banter.

A debate, says Laurel McCulloch, who produces the show, which takes as its form God versus the World. "On each topic we ask what would God say, what would the World say? Each speaker has 30 seconds to make their point, it is fast and funny," she says.

The show is called 'Shout Out' and comes from the new Christian television channel Shine TV, broadcasting to over 360,000 households on channel 99 of the Sky Digital network and UHF channel 56 in Christchurch.

Aimed at a youth audience and high-lighting Polynesian and Maori cultures 'Shout Out' is gathering a dedicated following and is just one of many ways in which the new channel is making a name for itself.

CEO Denis Delaney says he has had much positive feedback from people who have drawn inspiration from the Christian message they broadcast.

"Shine was chosen as the name because it simply reflects the vision of the channel. Isaiah 60 says, 'Arise, shine; for Thy light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you'. Rather than judge, criticise or compare we believe there is enough good news to share, especially relating to Jesus Christ and the type of lifestyle Christians can lead, without criticising a particular group or individual.

That is our aim, to be a positive influence - to Shine."

Besides 'Shout Out', Shine also produces a children's programme , the 'Bubbly Show', a contemporary Christian music show 'Vertical', which will be partnering with LifeFM, and an exercise programme called 'Rise and Shine' .

Three years in the planning and broadcasting since December, Shine TV was formed from an amalgam of Freedom TV, Alpha Video Trust, United Christian Broadcasters and Dove Ministries. In September last year Shine TV became part of the Rhema Broadcasting Group thereby unifying the major Christian Broadcast ministries in New Zealand.

"The goal is for Shine to be a window on Christian life in New Zealand and not our interpretation of Christian life here," says Denis.