Although satellite and internet radio have exploded in popularity over the past few decades, “terrestrial” radio stations (AM/FM) have remained a steady force within the U.S. media landscape. According to a recent Pew Research analysis, roughly a quarter of the approximately 17,000 AM and FM stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission primarily broadcast religious programming. The analysis also found that virtually all U.S. adults (98%) live within the coverage range of a religious station.
North Carolina and Texas have the highest rates of religious radio stations. In North Carolina, 36% of AM/FM stations are dedicated to religious programming, with 34% in Texas. By contrast, only 13% of AM/FM stations in Rhode Island and 12% in Connecticut are religious stations.
Of religious radio stations, the vast majority (81%) broadcast Christian content. However, that percentage is likely higher because some stations are labeled “not able to be categorized”. Within that 81%, Catholic radio accounts for 10% of all AM/FM stations.
The programming aired on these stations includes a mix of music and talk-radio formats, with a fairly even distribution across platforms: mostly music (37%) and mostly talk (35%).
The Pew analysis found that slightly less than half (45%) of U.S. adults say they listen to religious programming on the radio. Of those, 37% say they listen to religious music, 30% listen to religious services or sermons, and 18% listen to religious talk shows.
More information on the Pew analysis is available here.
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