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July 2026: The 10 Artists Christian Radio Listeners Love Most

by Chuck Finney, President

When it comes to Christian radio favorites, one thing matters most: great songs that listeners love.

Nationwide listener research measures that by asking audiences to score songs. Artists with more songs earning strong scores rise to the top of the rankings.

Here are the 10 artists with the strongest overall listener scores:

  1. Chris Tomlin
  2. Casting Crowns
  3. MercyMe
  4. Lauren Daigle
  5. Elevation Worship / Elevation Rhythm
  6. Third Day
  7. Jeremy Camp
  8. Phil Wickham
  9. Hillsong Worship
  10. Matt Maher

These artists have built deep catalogs of songs that continue to connect with listeners — proving that powerful music and meaningful messages never go out of style. Want to check out the other blogs from this series? Visit our FAST FIVE page to read more.

Coming up in August: From the 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey, new observations on The Top Five Reasons Your Listener Listens.

By Chuck Finney, President

If you think Christian podcast listeners are flocking to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, the 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey tells a different story.

Among listeners of Hybrid (Teaching & Music) stations who heard a Christian podcast online in the past week, their favorite destination is a station or ministry app (49%). YouTube follows closely at 43 percent, with station and ministry websites reaching 36 percent. Meanwhile, Apple Podcasts (14%) and Spotify (12%) are far behind.

For All-Teaching station listeners, YouTube takes the crown at 50 percent. Station and ministry apps (46%) and websites (46%) are close behind, creating a three-way race at the top. Spotify (12%) and Apple Podcasts (11%) remain secondary choices.

The big takeaway? Christian podcast listeners aren’t just looking for content—they’re connecting directly with trusted ministries and stations. Or they are connecting through YouTube. Whether through an app, a website, or YouTube, they’re choosing platforms that keep them close to the voices they know best.

And what about Google Play, iHeart, and TuneIn? They’re all under 10 percent, making them bit players in a podcast landscape dominated by ministry-owned platforms and YouTube.

Coming in July: The heart of the Finney Media Why Listen® Survey. We compare the Top Main Reasons Hybrid and Teaching listeners listen. It’s very much about Biblical reasons.

by Chuck Finney, President

The 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey shows Christian podcast listening isn’t one-size-fits-all—it grows as Christian radio content gets deeper.

Among CCM listeners, 35 percent tuned into a Christian podcast during the last week, treating podcasts like a side dish to their music-driven routine.

Hybrid (Music & Teaching) listeners jump to 56 percent, happily mixing songs with substance and using podcasts to go a little deeper on their own time.

Teaching listeners lead the pack at 68 percent, where podcasts aren’t extra—they’re essential. For them, it’s all about digging in, learning more, and staying engaged.

In short: the more teaching-focused the listener, the more podcasts become part of their daily spiritual rhythm.

Coming in June: We dive deep into where Christian radio listeners access podcasts. Sneak Peak: It’s a YouTube world.

by Chuck Finney, President

Bands and worship collectives have always been a big part of Christian radio. But which ones do listeners love the most?

Nationwide song research provides the answer. Listeners score individual songs, and the groups with the most highly rated songs overall rise to the top.

Coming in at no. 1 is Casting Crowns, a group known for powerful storytelling songs that continue to resonate with listeners.

Right behind them is MercyMe, whose long list of radio favorites still scores strongly in listener testing.

Third place goes to Elevation Worship and Elevation Rhythm, followed by legendary band Third Day.

Rounding out the Top Five is global worship favorite Hillsong Worship.

If you love singing along in the car or at church, chances are these groups are already on your playlist.

Coming up in July: We take a look at the 10 artists Christian listeners love most. Any guesses on who holds the top spots?

Want to see the latest research on Top Female and Male Christian artists? Catch up with the other articles from this four-part series on our FINNEY’S FAST FIVE page.

by Jon Hull, Finney Media Fundraising Consultant

  1. Generosity DOES start in the heart. This is something that isn’t triggered by left-brain information alone. While good information is crucial — until it gets into a listener’s heart, it remains just that — information. That’s where creativity and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit come into play.
  2. Believing in a station’s mission IS crucial. Everyone needs to understand why they are being asked to give. The concept of “helping us hit our numbers” no longer moves the needle like it used to. But, when listeners can see themselves as the ones who make the mission real in people’s lives, they are more prone to join your mission where they fit.
  3. Life change stories DO move people to action — especially when those stories are effectively told by people who sound “like them.” When I hear someone like me say (or describe) things I’ve said or seen, I feel a deeper invitation to add my name to the list.
  4. Urgency works — when it’s real. The “end” of something helps me see why I must act now. However, when the end feels manufactured (or is simply the latest in a series of ‘deadlines’) it no longer seems genuine. Urgent DOES work, but only when it’s real.

CONTACT US to talk about how we can come alongside to help you Grow Giving. You can find my contact information on our website.

 

Which male artists do Christian radio listeners love the most? Nationwide listener research reveals the answer:

The rankings come from song testing, where listeners score songs they hear on the radio. Artists with more songs that consistently receive strong scores naturally climb higher on the list.

Landing firmly at No. 1 is Chris Tomlin, whose massive catalog of worship favorites continues to resonate.

At No. 2 is Jeremy Camp, followed by Phil Wickham.

Rounding out the top five are Matt Maher and Zach Williams, two artists whose heartfelt songs keep scoring high with audiences.

In short, these artists have built impressive catalogs of songs listeners love — and that keeps them near the top of Christian radio research.

Last month, we reviewed the TOP FEMALE ARTISTS. Coming up in June: We take a look at the bands Christian listeners can’t get enough of. Which bands do you think will top the list?

The 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey gives us a peek behind the curtain of what actually inspires Christian radio listeners to give—and the results are both encouraging and a little surprising.

First, the big picture: Hybrid listeners (Teaching + Music) and Teaching-only listeners are almost perfectly in sync on the “why.” A full 85 percent of both groups say believing in the ministry’s mission is very important. And nearly as many feel personally called by God to give (84% Hybrid, 83% Teaching). In other words, generosity starts in the heart, not the wallet.

But here’s where things get interesting: Hybrid listeners seem a bit more stirred by emotion and momentum. They’re more likely to be moved by powerful, life-changing stories (32% vs. 27%) and are notably more responsive when there’s an urgent need (36% vs. 27%). Add a ticking clock or a clear goal, and Hybrid listeners lean in just a bit more.

They also slightly edge out Teaching listeners in valuing biblical encouragement to give (67% vs. 63%). Meanwhile, flashy extras—like free gifts or public recognition—barely move the needle for either group.

The takeaway? Faith fuels the decision, but for Hybrid listeners, a great story and a little urgency can help turn inspiration into action.

Coming in May: An inside look at how Hybrid and Teaching listeners hear Christian podcasts. Need more tips to take your next fundraising campaign to the next level? Our Fundraising Consultant Jon Hull has a few more insights to help you out in a special BONUS ARTICLE.

Who are the female artists Christian radio listeners love the most? Nationwide listener research gives us the answer. These rankings come from real listeners scoring songs, and the artists with the most songs earning high scores rise to the top. This list rewards artists with deep catalogs of favorites.

Leading the way is Lauren Daigle, whose songs continue to test incredibly well year after year. Her powerful voice and memorable hits give her a strong lead in the rankings.

Next comes a tie for second between Tasha Layton and Francesca Battistelli, both known for uplifting songs that connect with listeners.

There’s also a tie for fourth between rising artist Katy Nichole and longtime favorite Laura Story.

These artists prove that when meaningful lyrics meet unforgettable melodies, listeners keep coming back again and again.

Coming up in May: We take a look at the men Christian radio listeners can’t get enough of. How many of these artists are currently in your rotation?

What makes someone reach for the preset button on Christian radio? The latest 2025 Why Listen  Surveyfrom Finney Media gives us a pretty clear answer—and some of the results might make programmers smile (and maybe sweat a little). We asked listeners when they’re “Very” or “Somewhat Likely” to turn the station off.

The biggest tune-out trigger for everyone? Easy. A negative, angry, or judgmental tone. A whopping 78 percent of Hybrid (Music + Teaching) listeners and 71 percent of all-Teaching listeners say that’s their cue to exit. In other words, if the vibe gets cranky, the audience gets gone. Listeners want encouragement, not a scolding.

After that, the paths start to split a bit.

Hybrid listeners show their music-first instincts. Commercials (47%) and songs they don’t like (47%) tie for second place. They’ll also drift away if the topic isn’t interesting (46%) or if the announcer talks too much (42%). Translation: keep the flow moving and the music strong.

Teaching listeners, on the other hand, are more content-focused. Their next triggers are songs they don’t like (56%) – interesting given that Teaching stations don’t play songs: topics they’re not interested in (53%), announcers talking too much (46%), and songs they’re tired of (41%).

The takeaway? Keep the tone hopeful, pick great songs, and remember: sometimes the best thing a host can say… is less.

Coming in April: Why do Hybrid and Teaching Listeners give? How are they the same or different?

The heart of the Finney Media Why Listen® Survey is understanding listeners’ reasons for tuning in. While Top Reasons are often similar by formats, they’re not exactly the same. Today we’ll take a closer look at how Hybrid and Teaching listeners differ, and how that might affect the way you program your station or program.

Hybrid

Reason Percentage
1. It Helps You Worship God Throughout the Day 88%
2. You Like Worshipful Christian Music 87%
3. It Helps You Grow Spiritually 82%
4. You Want to Be Encouraged 77%
5. You Want to Help Spread Truth 62%

Teaching

Reason Percentage
1. It Helps You Grow Spiritually 91%
2. It Helps You Understand the Bible Better 84%
3. It Helps You Worship God Throughout the Day 83%
4. You Want to Hear Sermons 77%
5. You Want To Be Encouraged 71%

The 2025 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey includes almost 12,000 Christian radio listeners nationwide—2,953 from Teaching and Music (Hybrid) Stations and 3,087 from Teaching Stations and Programs.

Hybrid and Teaching listeners give similar reasons for listening. “Helps you worship God”, “Grow spiritually,” “To be encouraged” are common to the two formats. As we look at the differences in rank, however, we notice two things:

  1. Hybrid listeners are more heart first, head second (Worship at no. 1 and no. 2). Teaching listeners are more head first, heart second (Understand the Bible, Hear sermons).
  2. Hybrid listeners want it simpler. Teaching listeners want more in depth.

As you piece together your programming, lean more into heart or head depending on which one you are. Lean more into simple, concise, snack-sized or more in-depth depending on which one you are.

Coming in March: We compare and analyze the Top Main Reasons for Leaving. Why do listeners tune out or turn off? How are Hybrid and Teaching listeners different?

 

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