Religious Radio Reaches 98% of Americans, Commands 25% of U.S. Stations, Study Finds

New study from Pew Research Center underscores enduring presence of religious radio while pointing to new opportunities for growth in a changing media landscape.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB) –  A new national study from Pew Research Center highlights the enduring strength and widespread reach of religious radio, offering important insights for members of NRB, the largest association of Christian communicators.

The report, “Religious Radio Across America,” draws on a nationally representative survey of 5,023 U.S. adults conducted in June 2025, an analysis of all FCC-licensed AM/FM radio stations, and a computational review of approximately 440,000 hours of broadcast audio. It finds that faith-based broadcasting remains a significant force in today’s media landscape.

Key Findings

• Nearly 98% of U.S. adults live within range of at least one religious radio station
• About 25% of all AM/FM stations are dedicated to religious programming
• More than 4,000 religious stations operate nationwide
• Roughly half of U.S. adults listen to religious audio content, including radio, podcasts, and streaming.
• A select group of widely syndicated shows, many produced by NRB members, are carried on as many as half of all religious stations.
• 39% of non-Christian, religious Americans and 18% of religiously unaffiliated adults also listen.
• Music makes up about half of religious radio programming, with the top 1% of artists accounting for more than half of all song plays.
• Most listeners do not cite news and political coverage as a core reason for tuning in, even as stations range from minimal coverage to several hours per day devoted to current events and political discussion.

The study also points to shifting habits, with younger audiences more likely to engage through streaming and podcasts, reinforcing the need for a hybrid broadcast and digital approach.

Implications for Religious Broadcasters

• Religious radio’s reach and station density continues to position it as one of the most accessible formats in American media.
• Audiences are moving fluidly between broadcast radio, streaming, and on-demand audio—making consistent multi-platform presence increasingly important.
• Engagement is shaped by content identity, not just distribution, with listeners responding most strongly to programming centered on encouragement, spiritual grounding, and everyday life relevance.
• Religious broadcasting continues to reach beyond expected audiences, underscoring both its cultural reach and ongoing opportunity for broader engagement.

“This research reinforces the strength of this enduring medium and the opportunity ahead,” said Troy A. Miller, NRB president & CEO. “As audiences adopt new listening habits, our members are uniquely positioned to meet them with trusted, life-giving content across every platform.”

Click here to read the full report.

NRB members are invited to an exclusive online briefing with Pew Research Center on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. and will receive additional resources to help apply these findings in practical ways.

To interview Troy A. Miller or a representative at Pew Research Center, please contact presscenter@nrb.org. Members of the press may also request attendance to cover the live briefing.

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About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org.

About the NRB Convention
The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assisting those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic and award-winning Exposition consists of hundreds of organizations and is an active marketplace for those seeking products and services to enhance their organization. The next Convention will be held February 23–26, 2027, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.