Christian radio
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Christian radio is a radio format that focuses on transmitting programming with a Christian message. Many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering associated topics that can have a political angle to them. Many Christian radio stations are commercial in nature, and select music in a manner intended to increase profitability of advertisers, thereby increasing the value of the station's advertising, and the station's profits. Other Christian radio stations are supported by listeners, or by Christian organizations/institutions, or both; these stations seek to evangelize their message instead of commercial gain.
Christian music radio outlets mirror commercial radio in many ways, and music in a variety of different genres is available. Many stations play primarily gospel music or worship music, while others play all formats of contemporary Christian music including rock and roll, pop, rap, country, and alternative. Many artists within the Christian music industry criticize Christian radio for only playing "safe" music, and not taking enough chances on new artists, or in some cases older artists, that may not be as appealing to the largely conservative Gospel Music Association.
Other Christian stations will feature a no-music format that features talk radio-style programming and/or long-form "preaching and teaching" programs. Notable examples include Focus on the Family with host Dr. James Dobson and Living Way with Pastor Jack Hayford; an example of an inspirational program is Moments of Melody. Radio drama programs, long dead in most other radio formats, continue to live on Christian radio; notable examples include long running Adventures in Odyssey and Unshackled! as well as relative newcomers such as Down Gilead Lane and A Work in Progress. Still other Christian stations will feature a combination of music and long-form programs.
Many Christian radio stations have a mission to encourage their listeners in their faith through encouraging music and teaching, and through supporting ministry events within their listening area.
Popular artists on Christian radio include Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman, Carman, Sandi Patty, Relient K, Switchfoot, and the Bill Gaither Trio. Note that this short list runs the gamut of Christian music formats from pop to rock to inspirational.
Most Christian radio stations as well as programmers are members of the National Religious Broadcasters organization. There are reportedly 1,600 different Christian broadcasting organizations in the United States, ranging from single stations to expansive networks. It is a common practice for religious broadcasters to purchase many small broadcast translators to create networks that stretch across large regions. Moody Broadcasting Network was the first example, and still one of the largest, though most of its stations broadcast stand-alone programming as well as network feeds. The WAY-FM Network, K-LOVE and Air 1 are other notable examples.
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[edit] Notable Christian Radio Broadcasts
- Adventures in Odyssey, a scripted radio comedy/drama for children produced by Focus on the Family
- Back to the Bible with Woodrow M. Kroll
- Christian30 Countdown with Jeremy Shum
- Christian Radio America, mostly music with live call in talk shows
- Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson
- Praise In The Night, radio call-in talk show hosted by Steve Solomon.
- Thru the Bible with the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee
- Unshackled
- K-Love christian music.
- Air 1 upbeat christian music.
[edit] References
- Lochte, Bob (2005). Christian Radio: The Growth of a Mainstream Broadcasting Force. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company. ISBN 0-7864-2239-4.
[edit] See also
- Christian media
- Christian pop culture
- Religious broadcasting - information on UK-based Christian TV & Radio, as well as overview of US-based networks.
- Category:Christian radio stations
- List of Christian radio stations in Canada
- Category:Christian radio stations in Australia
[edit] External links
- HisAir.Net The Christian Radio Homepage
- OnTime Christian Radio
- CMTuner - Christian Radio and Media Directory
- Premier Christian Radio, London and south-east England
- World Harvest Radio International
- Truth FM, West Des Moines, Iowa and the World
- ChristianRock.NET - 24/7 Streaming Christian Radio including Rock/HardRock/HipHop/PowerPraise
- - Word Outreach Radio - Broadcasting Contemporary Christian Music from the UK
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