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Christian Radio Listeners Want Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Peace According to New Survey

Media Contacts:

Chuck Finney, President

(817) 796-8960 ext. 801

chuck@finneymedia.com

Raquel Robinson

Administrator, Communications & Design

(817) 796-8960 ext. 804

raquel@finneymedia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHRISTIAN RADIO LISTENERS WANT MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL PEACE ACCORDING TO NEW SURVEY

Finney Media to release the results of its fifth nationwide survey about Christian listener behaviors and trends with special conference presentation

Southlake, TX (May 22, 2025) – Finney Media, a research and consulting firm based in Southlake, TX, has completed its 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey. This year’s survey marks the fifth nationwide survey conducted by the research firm since 2016.

“What an absolute honor to have the opportunity to get inside the minds of Christian listeners”, said Chuck Finney, Finney Media president. “This year, listeners tell us they simply want to find peace on their dial. It’s important for us, as Christian media professionals, to audit our programming regularly to ensure we are truly delivering what our listeners want to hear.”

Nearly 12,000 Christian radio listeners voluntarily participated in the survey conducted earlier this year. Listeners were asked questions that covered a range of topics, including why they listen, tune out, give and how they engage with their Christian radio stations and programs online.

Chuck Finney will share the total format results from the 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey for the first time publicly during a breakout session at the 2025 Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) Momentum conference happening on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET.

For those unable to attend the conference presentation, Chuck Finney and Listener Research Consultant Rick Hall will host a FREE 30-MINUTE WEBINAR on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Noon CT/1 p.m. ET. In the online event, the pair will share more results from the 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey and practical ways stations and programs can apply these findings to enhance their current programming.

For more information about Finney Media, the Finney Media Why Listen® Survey and these upcoming events, visit finneymedia.com.

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About the Finney Media Why Listen® Survey

Since 2016, the Finney Media Why Listen® Survey has looked at the listening behaviors of Christian radio listeners from across the United States. Respondents are asked to voluntarily provide their insights into areas such as Why They Listen, Why They Tune Out, Why They Give and more.

For more information about the Finney Media Why Listen Survey, visit finneymedia.com/why-listen.

About Finney Media

Finney Media has been impacting Christian formats for over ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. For more information, visit finneymedia.com.

 

Media Contacts:

Chuck Finney, President

(817) 796-8960 ext. 801

chuck@finneymedia.com

Raquel Robinson, Communications 

(817) 796-8960 ext. 804

raquel@finneymedia.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FINNEY MEDIA ANNOUNCES CONSULTANT TEAM EXPANSION WITH THE ADDITION OF AUDIENCE GROWTH CONSULTANT

Vance Dillard brings over 50 years of radio experience aiding Christian radio stations and programs as they expand their reach to bring more people closer to God

Southlake, TX (April 22, 2025) – Finney Media, a Christian media research and consulting group based in Southlake, Texas, is expanding its team. Christian Radio veteran, Vance Dillard, has joined the group and will serve as an Audience Growth Consultant.

“Vance’s extensive experience in News/Talk and AC plus his years leading the programming at Salem Music Network and Family Radio gives him an outside-of-the-box perspective on reaching more people for Christ,” said Chuck Finney, President. “We’re excited Vance is joining the Finney Media family.”

In his new role, Vance will apply his extensive experience with CCM and traditional music formats, such as Southern Gospel and Chorales, along with his expertise in Spoken Word to guide stations and programs on their journey to grow audience and reach more hearts, more deeply through a Gospel-focus.

For more information about Finney Media, its services and group of consultants, visit finneymedia.com or call (817) 796-8960.

About Finney Media

Finney Media has been impacting Christian formats for over ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research andconsultation. For more information, visit finneymedia.com.

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Media Contact:
Chuck Finney
(817) 796-8960 ext. 801
info@finneymedia.com

On-demand webinar takes a look at the changes in why listeners listen to Christian Radio between 2018 and 2021

 

Southlake, TX (July 21, 2021) – Finney Media, a Christian media consultancy, shared historical results from the 2021 Why Listen® national listener survey in a recent webinar. The free, 30-minute event focused on changes in Christian radio listeners as seen in the 2018 and 2021 Finney Media Why Listen® national survey. This spring, nearly 11,000 Christian radio listeners from across the United States were included in the 2021 survey.

“Eye-opening,” said Chuck Finney, president. “With the pandemic and cultural changes over the last year, we discovered that listeners look to their Christian radio stations to be a spiritual source of encouragement even more than in the past. And it was already a strong relationship. Net promoter scores, already high, were higher. Worship and spiritual growth scored big.”

The webinar presentation of this key data for CCM, Hybrid and Teaching stations/ministries is now available on-demand for free through Zoom. Additional data will be released on all three formats throughout 2021 and will be available at finneymedia.com.

The Finney Media Why Listen® Survey takes a look at why Christian radio listeners choose to listen to Christian radio, why they tune in or tune out, and why they give to Christian radio, among other areas of discovery.

About Finney Media

Finney Media has been impacting Christian formats for over ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. For more information, visit finneymedia.com.

For more information about Finney Media, visit www.finneymedia.com.

Media Contact:
Chuck Finney
(817) 796-8960 ext. 801
info@finneymedia.com

Finney Media Release Initial Results from

2021 Why Listen® Listener Survey

Southlake, TX (June 1, 2021) – Finney Media, a Christian Media consultancy based in Southlake, Texas, is releasing its new survey findings from the 2021 Why Listen® Survey. The nationwide survey takes a look into the attitudes and behaviors of Christian radio listeners in Listenership Reasons, Tuneouts, Giving and other key measures. Expanded this year was a look into how listeners are engaging with their Christian radio stations and programs through podcasts and social media.

“The past year has changed the way many of us work and live,” said Chuck Finney, President. “Christian radio has been that safe haven for so many during a very difficult year. The Christian broadcaster’s role continues to evolve.”

Among the findings in the 2021 survey, Christian radio listeners are highly likely to recommend their Christian radio station or program to friends and family. This year’s Net Promoter Score overall of +77, moved up from +71 from the 2018 Why Listen Survey.

Nearly 11,000 Christian radio listeners of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Teaching Stations/Programs, and Hybrid stations from around the United States participated in the survey, the third Finney Media Why Listen® Survey. Previous surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2018.

Additional insights will be released from the survey throughout the year. President Chuck Finney will present top level findings for Christian music stations at the 2021 CMB MOMENTUM CONFERENCE happening June 2-4, 2021 in Orlando, FL.

Christian radio professionals and those interested in gaining more insights from the survey findings can sign up for a special Why Listen® Results Webinar happening on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 12 p.m. central time/1 p.m. eastern time.

To register for the Why Listen® Results Webinar, visit our WEBINAR REGISTRATION PAGE. For more information about Finney Media, visit www.finneymedia.com.

About Finney Media
Finney Media has been impacting Christian formats for over ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. For more information, visit finneymedia.com.

For more information about Finney Media, visit WWW.FINNEYMEDIA.COM.

Southlake, TX (November 12, 2019) – Finney Media, a values-based media consultancy, has released a new book on communication titled “Wisdom for Effective Communication: The Little Book of Big Ideas”. The short, quick, and powerful read is available on Amazon; it is a compilation of communication wisdom gained by author Chuck Finney’s lifetime in the media business.

“The art of effective communication is a skill that needs constant attention,” said Chuck Finney.“I’ve learned the hard way what can happen when you have poor communication skills. In fact, I might not be married to the woman I am today if I didn’t recognize very early on the importance of focused listening.”

Wisdom for Effective Communication provides readers practical and actionable ways to overcome the pitfalls of poor communication. The book is ideal for everyone who wants to better connect with the people around them, in the workplace, the schoolroom and the family room.

Readers can download the e-book to their Kindle via Amazon. Paperback also is available. For more information, visit WISDOMFOREFFECTIVECOMMUNICATION.COM.

About the Authors: Chuck Finney with Jan Shober

Chuck Finney has worked in programming, radio research, and audience connection. Chuck’s passion for words is widely recognized. He’s now the President of Finney Media, a speaker andauthor who loves telling stories and helping others do the same.

JanShober has been writing since her first newspaper went to press at the age of ten. She worked in the non-profit sector in communications for decades and now serves as Vice President for Strategy with Finney Media.

About Finney Media

Finney Media has been impacting Christian formats for over ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. Visit finneymedia. com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Chuck Finney

(214) 676-7713

chuck@finneymedia.com

NEW DATA RELEASED SHOWS CHANGE IN CHRISTIAN RADIO LISTENER PREFERENCES

Radio Listeners want to be encouraged according to new Finney Media Whitepaper

Southlake, TX (November 27, 2019)-Changes in Christian radio listener preferences as seen between 2016 and 2018 are explored in the new Finney Media Research whitepaper Comparing 2016 to 2018: Clues for Change.Christian radio listener trends are compared over the last two years and the differences are clear as to what listeners want from their Christian radio stations.

“Listeners are telling us they want to return to the foundation of Christian radio listening,” said Chuck Finney, president of Finney Media. “They want to be encouraged and to grow spiritually—but they don’t want a harsh, angry tone.”

The data is taken from the 2016 and 2018 Finney Media Why Listen® National Surveys. The surveys include respondents from CCM and Hybrid stations, Teaching stations and programs. Finney Media was assisted in the research process by Advocace.

Download a copy of Comparing 2016 to 2018: Clues for Change today.

About Finney Media:

Finney Media Research has been impacting Christian formats for ten years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. Founder Chuck Finney has spent his career in radio, helping stations grow and better relate to their audiences through in-depth research. For more information, contact Chuck Finney at 214-676-7713 or visit finneymedia.com.

Media Contact: Chuck Finney (214) 676-7713 || chuck@finneymedia.com || finneymedia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southlake, TX (June 26, 2018) – What is the new number one reason listeners to Christian- formatted radio stations tune in? “Christian radio listeners continue to surprise us with what they are really after,” says Finney Media President Chuck Finney. “This year we included in our survey “I want to worship God throughout the day” as a reason—and it struck a chord in a major way. This is the number one reason across all Christian formatted radio why peopletune in.”

This second Finney Media Why Listen?® 2018 listener feedback survey had 26,800 respondents from Christian-formatted radio. Not only did the survey reveal the #1 reason to listen, but other key headlines, and a new measure for engagement, the FindexTM.

Headlines revealed this week in a web event are:

  • She believes you help her grow spiritually.
  • In-car listening still dominates; Online, particularly for Teaching, grows.
  • Big tuneout: negative, angry, judgmental; Even more so now.
  • Surprise #1 Reason – It helps her worship God throughout the day – 87%.

The Findex™ provides a compilation of Listener interest + Spiritual Connection + Personal Recommendation. For the Total Christian Format, the Findex is 56 out of 100.

Finney summed up reaction to the released data this way: “Owners, Managers, Program Directors and announcers will want to respond to these findings by providing additional emphasis on spiritual connection that is boldly Biblical while being widely accessible. The listener’s expectation, when met, creates opportunity for genuine spiritual growth for them andan expanding audience for the station or ministry.”

The Finney Media Why Listen?® Survey is a unique tool that began in 2016, delving into why listeners listen to and why they give to Christian-formatted radio stations and programs.

About Finney Media: Finney Media Research has been impacting Christian formats for nine years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. Founder and President Chuck Finney has spent his career in radio, helping stations grow and better relate to their audiences through in-depth research and heart connection. For more information, contact Chuck Finney at 214-676-7713 or visit finneymedia.com.

Southlake, TX (June 11, 2018)- What is the new number one reason listeners to Christian-formatted radio stations tune in? The answer to this question will be revealed during a web event sharing key items from the second Finney Media Why Listen?® 2018 listener feedback survey on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET.

In the 30-minute web event, Finney Media president Chuck Finney will delve into why Christian radio listeners listen, what causes them to tune away and just who they are. For the landmark study, 26,800 respondents from Christian-formatted radio participated. Registration is required and available online at bit.ly/WL-Webinar-Event .

“Christian radio listeners continue to surprise us with what they are really after,” saidFinney Media President Chuck Finney. “The reason they listen is quite clear. And, it’s important Christian radio stations deliver the content their listeners are craving.”

In addition to the reason listeners tune in, the web event will also answer more questions, including:

  1. What does your listener want from you more than anything else?
  2. Can we see the level of difference you make in her spiritual life?
  3. What impact is digital having on Christian format listener habits?

Limited space is available for the Finney Media Why Listen® 2018 Survey Results Webinar. Attendees must register to gain entry into this free event. Visit bit.ly/WL- Webinar-Event today to reserve your spot.

About Finney Media:

Finney Media Research has been impacting Christian formats for nine years, helping clients obtain deeper impact and expanded audiences through listener research and consultation. Founder Chuck Finney has spent his career in radio, helping stations grow and better relate to their audiences through in-depth research. For more information, contact Chuck Finney at 214-676-7713 or visit finneymedia.com.

Ryan Springer Interview >>

A roundup of the NRB week which includes a thoughtful quote from Collin Lambert that we like.

“We all have what I call ‘gut,” said Moody Radio VP Collin Lambert during a Radio Industry Session. “You have this gut. You know when something’s working. But let me tell you, if you’re not willing to listen to what your listeners are saying, and let that shape what you’re feeling in your gut, I think you’re missing something,” he continued. “There’s a great value to the data.”

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