Recently, Larry Rosin, the President of Edison Research, wrote in Radio Ink about the changes in listening to various radio formats in America from 2011-2021. It’s an excellent article Music Radio: A Kingdom of Gold – Radio Ink and I urge you to read it.
In the middle of all that data and analysis is a truth that we can celebrate:
Contemporary Christian Music is the fastest growing format in America!
In Nielsen PPM markets from 2011-2021, based on percentage of Share Change Persons 6+, here are the Top 10 formats:
| 1. Contemporary Christian | +49% |
| 2. Classic Rock | +30% |
| 3. Classical | +22% |
| 4. Spanish Contemporary | +17% |
| 5. News/Talk | +8% |
| 6. Classic Hits | +7% |
| 7. Urban Adult Contemporary | +6% |
| 8. Urban Contemporary/Hip Hop | +5% |
| 9. (tied) All Sports | +0% |
| 9. (tied) Spanish Adult Hits | +0% |
Quoting Mr. Rosin: “The only formats with the word “Contemporary” in the name to have gone up are Spanish, which has risen modestly, and Contemporary Christian, which has soared in share over the last decade.” [emphasis added]
In the midst of one of the toughest times in our history, including now a pandemic where many people have lost friends and family, CCM has climbed in share of audience more than any other format! More and more people are choosing the life-giving Biblical encouragement our stations provide.
God is good!
