Study: Christian Media Trusted By Most Americans

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), in partnership with Barna Group, has released a groundbreaking report titled “The State of Christian Media.” The data reveals that Christian content is not only widely consumed but also plays a formative role in shaping worldviews, deepening faith, and providing guidance in an increasingly chaotic culture.

The following statement is attributable to Troy A. Miller, NRB president & CEO:

“This report confirms what many of us in Christian media have sensed for years. People aren’t just tuning in—they’re relying on Christian content to shape their worldview, strengthen their faith, and find direction in a world flooded with noise and uncertainty.

“Christian media is not on the margins but a powerful force in the mainstream, bringing clarity to confusion, hope in despair, and truth amidst compromise. If you’re a Christian communicator, know this: your voice matters. The people are listening. The culture is watching. And the Gospel remains as powerful and necessary as ever.”

Key Takeaways:

• Most Americans Engage with Christian Media: More than 60% of American adults report consuming Christian media in some form, whether through television, radio, podcasts, news websites, social media, or YouTube. This is not an occasional interaction—among these users, half engage with Christian content at least once per week.
• Christian Media Reaches Digitally Engaged, Spiritually Committed Younger Demographic: Compared to non-users, Christian media users tend to be younger. Social media is a dominant force in this landscape, commanding the broadest reach among Christian media platforms. Gen Z leads the way, with 64% engaging with Christian social media accounts, followed by Millennials at 58%.
• Most Americans Trust Christian Media: Christian media isn’t just widely consumed; it’s also largely respected. Two-thirds of the general population view Christian media as valuable and trustworthy, and that figure rises to four in five among those who use Christian media.
• Not Just an Alternative: New Data Reveals Motivators & Benefits of Christian Media: The top reason people engage with Christian media is for encouragement, followed closely by a desire to love God with their mind and learn more about the Bible. Christian media is not merely an alternative to mainstream content—it is actively sought out for the unique emotional and spiritual support it offers.
• Christian Media, Leaders Had Notable Role in Shaping 2024 Presidential Election: Two in five Americans recall hearing Christian leaders speak about the election, and those messages had tangible influence. Christian media inspired half of users to pray for the election and over half of heavy users said it shaped their voting decisions.