The program held significance for several reasons. The initial and surprising success of Touched by an An­gel rescued CBS from its financially beleaguered position and moved it out of its third-place position in mid- 1990s audience ratings. More significantly for the long-term, however, the program demonstrated that dramatic television could address religious topics and find a sizable audience in doing so. In an era often characterized by programs featuring a cynical viewpoint, such as Seinfeld, this came as a surprise and led to several other experiments with religion on television. The 1997 season alone heralded seven series that made some reference to religion or spirituality in the wake of the popularity of Touched by an Angel. The trend continued into 2003, when the series Joan of Arcadia, about a young woman who receives visitations from God in the guise of ordinary people, had its debut.

The show was originally created in response to the television audience's reported interest in seeing more prime-time programming about religion. Before the pilot aired, however, CBS president Peter Tortorici replaced the program's creator, John Masius (also of St. Elsewhere}, with Martha Williamson, who was brought in to brighten the story. Williamson, a longtime producer and "show doctor," wanted to create an uplifting story with a spiritual feel. With her guidance, the program approached religious faith earnestly yet gingerly, referencing familiar Christian scriptures, prayer, and of course angelic messengers, yet rarely mentioning particular religious traditions or organizations. The angels, Tess (Della Reese), Monica (Roma Downey), and An­ drew (John Dye) talked people out of crime and sui­cide, rescued children from fires, guided people through illnesses and death. and led people to participate in ethical behavior and even advocacy efforts, in each episode telling the suffering, "God loves you." Touched by an Angel tackled AIDS, spouse abuse, autism, and mental illness, but also (and more controversially) civil rights in China, slavery in the Sudan, global warming, and cloning. While the program's core audience was older women, it was frequently heralded as one of few shows that parents could watch with their children in the early prime-time hours.

Special guest stars to the series have included Bill Cosby. Kirk Douglas. Debbie Reynolds, Phylicia Rashad. Hank Aaron, John Heard, Charlotte Church. Kirk Cameron, Stephanie Zimbalist, Margot Kidder. Chad Lowe, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and many others.

Touched by an Angel tapped into the widespread changes that are altering the religious landscape of America at the beginning of the millennium. In addition to a rising number of people who affirm their be­lief in angels, more Americans now identify themselves as "spiritual" and view spirituality as a personal practice that may be distinct from more formal practices of religion. Touched by an Angel succeeded in acquainting Hollywood decision-makers with the potential for viable religious programming in this new religious environment.