Posted: 5/28/04
Ratings report reveals religious radio stations on the rise
WASHINGTON (RNS)–The number of religious radio stations is on the increase, growing by more than 100 from 2002 to 2003, a recent Arbitron report shows.
The number of religious stations grew by 122, or more than 6 percent, from 1,843 to 1,965. The 2003 total constitutes 14 percent of the 13,898 radio stations in the country.
In “Radio Today: How America Listens to Radio,” Arbitron defines religious stations as those featuring gospel and “contemporary Christian” music as well as non-music stations that focus on “teaching programs.”
There were 1,803 religious radio stations in 2001, said Jess Benbow, spokeswoman for the New York-based media and marketing research firm.
Interest in religious radio reflects a “spiritual hunger” in the country, said National Religious Broadcasters Chairman Glenn Plummer.
“I think people in general are spreading, via word of mouth, how beneficial Christian radio really is,” he said.
Other Arbitron findings about religious radio listeners include:
47 percent of their listening occurs at home.
38 percent of listening occurs in cars.
65 percent are women.
37 percent are black.
33 percent are adults ages 55 and older.
21 percent are ages 35-44.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.