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	<title>Programming - CMB</title>
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	<title>Programming - CMB</title>
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		<title>The Guys Who Rule Christian Radio (According to Listeners)</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Finney]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 22:32:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finney's Fast 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65368</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners/">The Guys Who Rule Christian Radio (According to Listeners)</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners/">The Guys Who Rule Christian Radio (According to Listeners)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which male artists do Christian radio listeners love the most? Nationwide listener research reveals the answer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rankings come from </span><b>song testing</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, where listeners score songs they hear on the radio. Artists with </span><b>more songs that consistently receive strong scores</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> naturally climb higher on the list.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Landing firmly at No. 1 is </span><b>Chris Tomlin</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, whose massive catalog of worship favorites continues to resonate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At No. 2 is </span><b>Jeremy Camp</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, followed by </span><b>Phil Wickham</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rounding out the Top Five are </span><b>Matt Maher</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><b>Zach Williams</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, two artists whose heartfelt songs keep scoring high with audiences.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In short, these artists have built impressive catalogs of songs listeners love — and that keeps them near the top of Christian radio research.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last month, we reviewed the<a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> top female artists</a>. 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?</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners/">The Guys Who Rule Christian Radio (According to Listeners)</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-guys-who-rule-christian-radio-according-to-listeners/">The Guys Who Rule Christian Radio (According to Listeners)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>What Artists Wish Programmers Knew</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/what-artists-wish-programmers-knew/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=what-artists-wish-programmers-knew</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 04:10:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65323</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We asked a group of Christian radio artists, anonymously, to speak candidly about their experiences with interviews and station visits. Their answers were honest, sometimes surprising, and consistently pointed to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/what-artists-wish-programmers-knew/">What Artists Wish Programmers Knew</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/what-artists-wish-programmers-knew/">What Artists Wish Programmers Knew</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We asked a group of Christian radio artists, anonymously, to speak candidly about their experiences with interviews and station visits. Their answers were honest, sometimes surprising, and consistently pointed to one thing: intentionality matters.</p>
<h5><strong>What is the best question you’ve been asked in a radio interview? What’s the worst question?</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 1:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Best: David A Dein once asked about a specific lyric in one of my songs. It made me feel so cared for, and I had a great story to tell about it too! Worst: “So, do you think you’ve peaked in your career?”</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 2: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Best: Sarah Taylor once asked me about something from my childhood, it wasn’t even in my bio, She had CALLED people at the label to get special stuff to ask me. It made that interview so much fun. Worst: “So, what do you wanna talk about today?” I felt like I was interrupting their day and wasting their time. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 3:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Best: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oooh, I can’t think of a specific question off the top of my head &#8211; but my favorite questions are thoughtful and specific. There was a wonderful interviewer years ago that would really do their research and find out personal things about us and that was always really fun bc of the intentionality behind it. We appreciate that effort quite a bit. Worst: What does your band name mean?  lol (&amp; every night of tour). Or any other generic question we get every day. </span></li>
</ul>
<h4></h4>
<h5><strong>What makes you feel valued when you go to a station visit? What makes you feel devalued?</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 1:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Valued: I love being taken around to meet the staff. Everyone coming out of their offices for a moment and getting to look in their eyes. It’s fun to meet everybody. Devalued: It’s not always fun to be rushed in like cattle and rushed out. I know everyone’s busy, it’s rare, but there’s a station or 2 that felt more cold than a visit with a lawyer.  </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 2:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Valued: Anything that shows planning. To be thought of ahead of time makes me feel valued. Devalued: It’s somewhat hurtful when a meeting has been set for sometime and for whatever reason they haven’t even listened to the song I’m there for. I get in my head and in my feelings when that happens. “They’re probably right, I’m not even worth 3 minutes of their time” the voices in my head say. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 3:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Valued: </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Intentionality conversation, seeing and greeting all those behind the scenes that we don’t get to see as often, catching up with everyone on a personal level. It’s also always really nice when they know the song we are promoting, haha!  Really, it’s just the best to genuinely connect with people over our shared passions of Jesus and music. Devalued:  No interview, not knowing the songs, not well prepped for interviews. PD’s not coming out of their offices. (Lol &#8211; it’s happened  <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f602.png" alt="😂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />) It’s rare though! </span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5><strong> What has been the most meaningful or memorable thing to happen during any radio related activity?</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 1:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> A kid that won a special meet and greet through the station passed out 30 seconds into the meeting. We later came to find out the kid had medical issues that this happened somewhat regularly… but I’ll never forget it!</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 2:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I love being part of memorable moments in people’s lives. A station once worked it out with a couple of their super fan listeners that I got to be part of a couple’s proposal. I had the MOST fun. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist 3:</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I think hearing the stories from local listeners about how songs have impacted their lives. It’s never lost on me what an incredible privilege it is to be able to do what we do and I’m so humbled that God continues to use all of us for this work. </span></li>
</ul><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/what-artists-wish-programmers-knew/">What Artists Wish Programmers Knew</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/what-artists-wish-programmers-knew/">What Artists Wish Programmers Knew</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>10 Things Every Programmer Should Be Thinking About Right Now</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Younkman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 22:57:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65312</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I attended Country Radio Seminars in March, and the conversations happening there would be a wake up call for every programmer.  Here are a few takeaways you should be thinking [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now/">10 Things Every Programmer Should Be Thinking About Right Now</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now/">10 Things Every Programmer Should Be Thinking About Right Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I attended Country Radio Seminars in March, and the conversations happening there would be a wake up call for every programmer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are a few takeaways you should be thinking about right now:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Talent is still the ultimate differentiator. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The talent you hire today looks completely different than it did even five years ago. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Being good on air isn’t enough anymore.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Talent MUST think like content creators, not just DJs. This needs to be part of their job description.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>AI isn’t the threat. Complacency is.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> How are we responding to AI driven discovery and content consumption? </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Radio is still a powerful tool for discovery, but it is no longer the center.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Listeners are also finding music through social, streaming, and culture.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Content is greater than platform.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Hits are built across radio, streaming, social, culture and touring. We have to think in terms of content ecosystems, artist storytelling, and multi-platform amplification. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>The opportunity is greater than what we’ve known. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Younger audiences won’t come automatically. We have to intentionally create content that invites them in. </span><b></b></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Great programmers now think in terms of stories, moments, and experiences.</b></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Artist partnerships are more important than ever. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The strongest stations help tell the artist’s story, not just play their songs. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Discovery still matters, but it’s evolving.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Radio breaks artists early, but social, streaming and fans now shape traction. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>The opportunity is still massive for radio, but the window is now. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Radio is at a crossroads, yet still holds unmatched reach, trust and influence. </span></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The stations that win will:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Invest heavily in talent development</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think beyond the mic </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be intentional about audience growth</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Move faster than the industry’s comfort zone</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recognize that the future won’t be decided by technology, but by talent and content. </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are the conversations we’ll continue at Momentum. What’s ahead is GREATER THAN where we’ve been, and it will require us to think differently and take some risks. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now/">10 Things Every Programmer Should Be Thinking About Right Now</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/10-things-every-programmer-should-be-thinking-about-right-now/">10 Things Every Programmer Should Be Thinking About Right Now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>Radio’s Tectonic Shifts</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/leadership/radios-tectonic-shifts/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=radios-tectonic-shifts</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Fred Jacobs]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:01:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65316</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>These days, I think about the major shifts that have impacted our industry. This is in contrast to much of the detail work that used to consume me—the things programmers [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/radios-tectonic-shifts/">Radio’s Tectonic Shifts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/radios-tectonic-shifts/">Radio’s Tectonic Shifts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These days, I think about the major shifts that have impacted our industry. This is in contrast to much of the detail work that used to consume me—the things programmers hear and think about that no one else does. I’m not suggesting the finer points don’t matter, because they are often what separates good brands from great ones. But looking back at radio’s struggle to not just thrive, but to survive, it is hard </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">not </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">to consider those big boulders, the tectonic shifts—the circumstances, the conditions, the decisions that have gotten us where we are today.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In recent weeks with the release of Techsurvey 2026, we have published a lot of updated data about radio’s journey. And because this is the 22nd year Jacobs Media has conducted this national study of core radio listeners, some of these trending reports are absolutely breathtaking, generating comments and theories from all corners of the industry. And some of them are full of vitriol and anger, casting blame for radio’s supposed demise in lots of different directions.</span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-65318" src="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM.png" alt="" width="1574" height="886" srcset="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM.png 1574w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM-300x169.png 300w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM-768x432.png 768w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.19.39-PM-1536x865.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1574px) 100vw, 1574px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The chart above, for example, should make everyone in radio—from corporate execs to the part-time voicetracker—hit the brakes. This year in TS 26, we set a new record for “connected car” ownership. Now, four in ten respondents (40%) drive these vehicles. You can clearly see how having more in-vehicle options while driving has impacted radio listening. Given that even entry-level vehicles are now “well-connected,” this trend will only accelerate as consumers replace their older cars, SUVs, and trucks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, how do we think about radio’s future, amidst challenging financial quarters, companies flirting with bankruptcies, and mega-mergers on the horizon?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First and foremost, I am of the belief that radio has many more chapters ahead of it. They may end up being different from the past stories of glory and they will undoubtedly star a different cast of characters (myself included). On the face of it, this is a healthy circumstance. But as new leadership emerges, it may be helpful for them to have a strong grasp of how radio got </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">here. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">And even better, how a newly imagined radio platform can avoid the speed bumps, sand traps, and most certainly the black holes that have characterized many past missteps.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That means studying the past few decades to not only identify some of the root causes of broadcast radio’s travails, but to also provide a hierarchy—identifying the most impactful events, circumstances, and decisions that have disrupted the industry over these years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s blog post is wonkier than most. And I purposely posted it on a Friday to provide for the possibility of some weekend reading and processing. When you consider some of the tectonic shifts that have most affected the health and well-being of the broadcast radio industry over these many years, it turns out there are many factors at play.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enter </span><b>Robert Minton</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. We may have crossed paths at one point or another, likely while both of us were working with WIMZ in Knoxville. But as I’ve learned, Robert’s background is more diverse than most of us who have spent the prime of our lives in one form of radio or another.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert’s career accomplishments include national network strategy, sponsorship, promotions, audience development, SaaS, and agency operations. He has been in leadership positions with Disney, the ABC Radio Networks, and Citadel Media among others. As he explained to me, Robert has focused on developing “a broader view of how technology, agencies, brands, and audience behavior have reshaped the media business.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">JacoBLOG readers know I am fascinated by these big picture analyses of where we are and how we got here. The work of Evan Shapiro and his dynamic media maps have been featured here numerous times over the years because they help our broader understanding of radio’s place in the media and entertainment universe.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert reached out to me earlier this week with a chart and lots of theories. His premise is to list the factors that have contributed to the diminishment of broadcast radio over the years, and create a hierarchy of their importance. In other words, what has been the relative rank of their impact on the industry? Which of these tectonic shifts are the true “smoking guns?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The version he sent me (posted below) is an update on the original, leaning harder into the premise that radio’s rough patch hasn’t just been due to tech disruption (i.e., the smartphone, streaming, satellite radio, podcasts, etc.) but also to “self-inflicted wounds” that include some of the following policies and factors:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the loss of emotional differentiation</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the weakening of local identity</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">defensive programming strategies and behaviors</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reduced novelty and discovery</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sameness fatigue</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the erosion of companionship and community feeling</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert’s new model also places greater weight on the following:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">locality</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">playlist narrowing</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">discovery reduction</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">artist ecosystem collapse</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">physical market presence</span></li>
</ul>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-65319" src="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.21.20-PM.png" alt="" width="1522" height="1374" srcset="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.21.20-PM.png 1522w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.21.20-PM-300x271.png 300w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.21.20-PM-1024x924.png 1024w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.21.20-PM-768x693.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1522px) 100vw, 1522px" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are indices, so the closer to 100, the greater the impact on the radio industry. Robert didn’t just assign these numbers via gut. He has developed an elaborate “methodology” that shows his work and his thought process. I’ve linked it </span><a href="http://jacobsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Methodology-Used.pdf"><b>here.</b></a><b>  </b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, on the one hand, digital disruption gets the most weight (blame) for negatively impacting radio, while “reduced DJ autonomy &amp; curation authority” earns the least impact (of those included) in radio’s big picture.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What’s missing from Robert Minton’s list of tectonic shifts? I wonder about the external global factors that have taken their toll on the radio broadcasting industry, and where they might fit into the above group of “culprits.” The “Great Recession” of ’08/’09 comes to mind, as does COVID and its impact on lifestyles, media consumption, and commuting patterns. And is it too early to start factoring in AI to Robert’s weights and measures?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I also believe sweeping changes in automotive dashboard technology belong on Robert’s list. Tectonic shifts in the auto industry impact radio’s future. As our Techsurvey 2026 chart above clearly shows, there appears to be a relationship between the proliferation of “connected cars,” and slipping time-spent listening to AM/FM radio in vehicles. Considering the car is still the #1 listening location for radio, this strikes me as a key factor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you agree or disagree with Robert Minton’s premise, choices, and methodology, his work aims to frame the conversations taking place every day in and out of radio circles. As he noted when he first sent me his materials, his work would make for a great “super session” at a conference where perhaps a “town meeting” style discussion could be moderated to lend more clarity to where we’ve been, and how the medium can best progress.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hope this post is the start of those conversations—within companies, on social media, and throughout broadcast radio’s many organizations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The world may be shifting underneath our feet. But understanding these quantum changes and factoring them into our future strategic work can produce better outcomes for radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks to Robert Minton. Chris Brunt created a stylized version of his chart (below):</span></i></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-65320" src="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM.png" alt="" width="1608" height="1078" srcset="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM.png 1608w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM-300x201.png 300w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM-1024x686.png 1024w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM-768x515.png 768w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-04-at-10.22.11-PM-1536x1030.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1608px) 100vw, 1608px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><a href="https://jacobsmedia.com/radios-tectonic-shifts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link to Original Source</a></em></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/radios-tectonic-shifts/">Radio’s Tectonic Shifts</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/radios-tectonic-shifts/">Radio’s Tectonic Shifts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Future Won’t Be Built by Playing It Safe</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/leadership/the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Wade]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:01:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65251</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When Bob Lubell, the man God called to start our ministry in Chattanooga, launched a Christian radio station (J103/WBDX), it seemed risky. Chattanooga didn’t have one, and there was plenty [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe/">The Future Won’t Be Built by Playing It Safe</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe/">The Future Won’t Be Built by Playing It Safe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Bob Lubell, the man God called to start our ministry in Chattanooga, launched a Christian radio station (J103/WBDX), it seemed risky. Chattanooga didn’t have one, and there was plenty of uncertainty and moments where it could have easily failed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But God invited Bob into something that could only really be described in one word: risk.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why did he do it? Not because it was safe. Not because focus groups all agreed. Not because the funding was guaranteed. He did it because he believed God was calling him to it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And because of that risk, hundreds of thousands of lives have been impacted.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The truth is, if leaders like Bob hadn’t taken risks decades ago, much of what we now call Christian radio wouldn’t exist. Our entire industry was built on faith, uncertainty, and a willingness to step into something new.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which raises an important question: Are we still willing to take those kinds of risks today?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because while we often talk about the risk of change, we don’t talk enough about the risk of staying the same.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As leaders, we often talk about the “risk” of change. But here’s the truth: everything carries risk.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every drive to work. Every new relationship. Every business decision. Even the status quo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet somehow we’ve convinced ourselves that staying the same is safe. Familiar, yes. Comfortable, sure. But safe? Not always.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When we evaluate risk, we tend to focus on the side that involves change:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of failure</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of stepping into the unknown</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of having to start over</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But do we ever stop to consider the risk of not changing?</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of becoming irrelevant</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of falling behind</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">– The risk of losing influence to those who adapt</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It might feel risky to learn a new skill, launch a new product, or step into a new space, but it’s often far more risky to assume that doing what we’ve always done will continue to work.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I didn’t originally write this for radio. I wrote it for ministries, brands, and organizations in general. The rate of change across almost every industry is wild right now, and radio is not immune.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I would like to very kindly, respectfully, and gently say something that I believe is true: Radio is going to have to change if it wants to maintain the level of influence it has had.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve said this a lot over the last year, “If we had more time, I’d be less blunt,” but the truth is, I don’t think we do.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I love radio. I started in this industry when I was 19 years old. I’ve seen the power of it. I’ve seen communities formed, hope shared, and ministry happen every single day. Radio has an incredible past.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But if it doesn’t change, it may not have the same future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What does that change look like? It will likely be different for all of us.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For some, it means building podcasts or creating meaningful video content.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">For others, it may be events, digital communities, or new ways of discipling audiences.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">For some, it may involve AI tools, on-demand content, reaching people far beyond the FM dial, or even being part of a something that stations from all over the country work on together. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I was asked on a panel last year to describe the biggest trends in media. My answer was simple: on-demand and the fracturing of audiences. Two things traditional radio isn’t naturally built for without meaningful change.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So I would encourage all of us to spend some time thinking and praying about this question: What does meaningful change look like for your ministry? And equally important: What does it look like if we don’t change?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For clarity, I don’t think the conversation should be radio OR. I think it should be radio AND.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep putting out a great product on the air, but don’t stop there. Expand the mission. Extend the influence. Meet people where they already are.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If risk helped build radio, I can’t help but wonder what future risk might open up for us now.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because change is risky.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But staying the same may be the biggest risk of all.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Justin Wade</strong><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">President, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Partners for Christian Media</span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe/">The Future Won’t Be Built by Playing It Safe</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/leadership/the-future-wont-be-built-by-playing-it-safe/">The Future Won’t Be Built by Playing It Safe</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Women Christian Radio Listeners Can’t Get Enough Of</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Finney]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:01:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finney's Fast 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=65067</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/">The Women Christian Radio Listeners Can’t Get Enough Of</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/">The Women Christian Radio Listeners Can’t Get Enough Of</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 </span><b>most songs earning high scores rise to the top</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This list rewards artists with deep catalogs of favorites.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leading the way is </span><b>Lauren Daigle</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, whose songs continue to test incredibly well year after year. Her powerful voice and memorable hits give her a strong lead in the rankings.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next comes a tie for second between </span><b>Tasha Layton</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><b>Francesca Battistelli</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, both known for uplifting songs that connect with listeners.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s also a tie for fourth between rising artist </span><b>Katy Nichole</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and longtime favorite </span><b>Laura Story</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These artists prove that when meaningful lyrics meet unforgettable melodies, listeners keep coming back again and again.</span></p>
<p><strong><em>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?</em></strong></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/">The Women Christian Radio Listeners Can’t Get Enough Of</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/finneys-fast-5/the-women-christian-radio-listeners-cant-get-enough-of/">The Women Christian Radio Listeners Can’t Get Enough Of</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>From Bike to Mic: What Peloton Can Teach Us About Radio</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Beth Bacall]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:01:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=64900</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Right before the world heard the news about the pandemic, I ordered a Peloton bike. At the time, I had no idea how meaningful that decision would become. What started [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio/">From Bike to Mic: What Peloton Can Teach Us About Radio</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio/">From Bike to Mic: What Peloton Can Teach Us About Radio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Right before the world heard the news about the pandemic, I ordered a Peloton bike. At the time, I had no idea how meaningful that decision would become. What started as a piece of exercise equipment quickly became something much more.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During those long days at home, the instructors were broadcasting from their homes too. We were all going through the pandemic together. Their encouragement, honesty, and positivity lifted my spirit in a time when we all needed it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The instructors began to feel familiar, like personalities you look forward to hearing. They reminded me of what we’ve always known in radio: people connect with people.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When I made it into a live ride class at the Peloton Studios New York, it was everything I hoped it would be. In fact, it was so great that one ride turned into three. I found myself going back again and again, each time reminded of how powerful that in-person connection can be. Meeting the instructors I had ridden with for years and seeing that they were just as real, just as encouraging off camera, mattered.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A couple of years ago, it looked like Peloton might be struggling financially. But they made a strategic reset. They shifted their focus beyond just fitness and leaned into what was already working, the personalities and the experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s what we’ve always said in radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Connection matters.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And Peloton doubled down on that idea in a way that clearly worked.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I can tell you exactly why I connect with certain instructors.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Take Matt Wilpers. He’s from Atlanta, always smiling while I’m riding with him. He talks about loving his mom. He runs races all over the country. He shows up for his friends, and they show up for him, especially in class. You feel that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or Jess Sims, a former kindergarten teacher and WNBA player. She shares stories about going to Payless Shoes with her mom, brings a fun, spicy energy, and even taught me how to make “sweat angels” on my mat.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s those personal details. Those real-life moments. That authenticity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s what builds connection.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because whether it’s a Peloton instructor, a morning show host, or someone on social media, the impact is the same. When people feel like they know you, when they feel encouraged by you, they come back.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s the opportunity we have every day, every break.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Personalities matter because they’re more than voices, they’re people who share themselves, spark connection, and reflect God’s light in ways that help listeners feel truly seen. When we support, guide, and develop them, the connections they create aren’t just heard, they’re felt, lasting in hearts long after the broadcast ends.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And that’s the work we get to do every day, helping people feel known, helping them shine, helping them carry that light forward.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Beth Bacall is a media personality and talent coach. Catch her on Peloton at @BethBacall.</strong></em></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio/">From Bike to Mic: What Peloton Can Teach Us About Radio</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/from-bike-to-mic-what-peloton-can-teach-us-about-radio/">From Bike to Mic: What Peloton Can Teach Us About Radio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Conference That Predicts the Future Confirms What We Already Know</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/social-digital/the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Carl Bliss]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:25:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social/Digital]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=64849</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Every March, Austin, Texas becomes a kind of cultural weather station. Now in its 40th year, South by Southwest (SXSW) has earned its reputation as the place where technology, art, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/social-digital/the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know/">The Conference That Predicts the Future Confirms What We Already Know</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/social-digital/the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know/">The Conference That Predicts the Future Confirms What We Already Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every March, Austin, Texas becomes a kind of cultural weather station. Now in its 40th year, South by Southwest (SXSW) has earned its reputation as the place where technology, art, and culture converge. It draws technologists, marketers, storytellers, and media executives into the same rooms, and the conversations that emerge often signal where the broader industry is heading. For those of us in Christian radio, it&#8217;s worth paying attention. Not because the festival speaks our language, but because our listeners live in the world it&#8217;s describing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year&#8217;s conference carried a theme that should feel familiar to anyone who works in faith-based media: </span><b>in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, human connection is more valuable than ever.</b></p>
<p><b>The AI Conversation Has Grown Up</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last year&#8217;s SXSW panels were still debating </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">whether</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to adopt AI tools. This year, the question shifted: </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are we building the right organizations to use them?</span></i></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Industry analyst Ian Beacraft made a pointed argument that most companies are failing at AI. Not because the tools aren&#8217;t ready, but because the organizational structures around them are already obsolete. The winners, he argued, won&#8217;t be the fastest adopters. They&#8217;ll be the ones who rethink how work is organized entirely.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Christian radio stations serving multiple markets on constrained resources, this framing is clarifying. The question isn&#8217;t whether to use AI for tasks like content scheduling, social copy, or audience targeting. The question is whether your team is structured to use it strategically, or just reactively.</span></p>
<p><b>Storytelling Is Your Competitive Advantage</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Serena Williams took the stage at Axios House and told entrepreneurs that the most underestimated skill in business is the ability to tell a compelling story. Actor and producer Jamie Lee Curtis echoed the sentiment later in the week, making the case that people need to tell stories and others need to hear them. No technology changes that fundamental truth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nobody at SXSW asked why human creativity is irreplaceable. They just kept affirming that it is. But for those of us in Christian media, the answer isn&#8217;t a mystery. It&#8217;s foundational. Humans are uniquely creative because we are made in the image of a creative God. The </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">imago Dei</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> isn&#8217;t just a theological concept; it&#8217;s the reason a song can move someone to tears, why a story told with honesty and vulnerability can change a person&#8217;s day, and why no algorithm, however sophisticated, can replicate what happens when one human being speaks directly into the life of another. </span><b>SXSW was circling the truth without naming it. We get to name it.</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is ground Christian radio has always occupied. Our stations don&#8217;t just play music. We share listener impact stories, walk through grief and celebration on-air, and create moments of genuine human connection across the dial. At a conference full of conversations about AI-generated content, that irreplaceable human voice, rooted in faith, community, and shared experience, is not a weakness. It&#8217;s a differentiator.</span></p>
<p><b>Audio Is Resilient, But the Landscape Is Shifting</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The audio industry had a significant presence at SXSW this year, with Podcast Movement Evolutions co-locating at the festival for the first time, hosting three days of sessions on the future of audio. Some of the discussions are directly relevant to Christian radio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most debated questions: is video killing the podcast? The data says no. Research from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights found that 92% of podcast consumers listen to at least some of their content in audio-only form, with just 8% exclusively watching video. The argument that emerged from sessions is that video is a </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">distribution multiplier</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, not a replacement for audio.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Christian radio, this is an important reframe. Adding video components to interviews, artist sessions, and listener stories is the kind of content already being developed for YouTube and social platforms. It isn&#8217;t abandoning radio. It&#8217;s extending its reach.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also worth tracking: the growing conversation around podcast content ownership. Apple Podcasts&#8217; HLS update, discussed at length at Evolutions, allows creators to host video podcast content through their own hosting provider rather than ceding that control to platforms like Spotify or YouTube. For stations building digital audiences, maintaining ownership of your content and audience data will matter increasingly as the platform landscape continues to shift.</span></p>
<p><b>The Hunger for Human Connection Is Real, and It&#8217;s Our Mission</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perhaps the clearest through-line at SXSW 2026 was something that should feel deeply familiar: people are hungry for genuine connection. One analyst described it as &#8220;the single red thread running through the entire program.&#8221; In a world of automated content, algorithmic feeds, and AI-generated voices, the hunger for something </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">real</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has never been more acute.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christian radio exists precisely for this moment. We don&#8217;t manufacture connection; we facilitate it. Between a listener navigating a hard season and a song that meets them there. Between a morning host and a commuter who feels less alone because of a two-minute conversation about faith. Between a community of donors and a station that reflects their values back to them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consumer behavior research presented at SXSW also noted a broader cultural shift toward what analysts called &#8220;intentional consumption.&#8221; Audiences are pulling back from excess, seeking content that is simpler, more transparent, and more emotionally resonant. That&#8217;s not a trend we need to manufacture. It&#8217;s what we&#8217;ve always offered.</span></p>
<p><b>What to Watch and What to Do</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A few practical takeaways for Christian radio teams coming out of SXSW 2026:</span></p>
<p><b>Audit your AI readiness, not just your AI use.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The tools are available. The more important question is whether your team has clarity on where AI can accelerate your mission and where human judgment is irreplaceable.</span></p>
<p><b>Lead with transparency.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Audiences, especially faith-based audiences, respond to honesty about how content is made. If AI helps you produce more content, say so. Your listeners will respect it far more than discovering it on their own.</span></p>
<p><b>Treat storytelling as strategy.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Impact stories, listener testimonials, and on-air moments of genuine human connection aren&#8217;t just feel-good content. They&#8217;re your most powerful tools for building the kind of listener loyalty that leads to advocacy and support.</span></p>
<p><b>Don&#8217;t abandon audio for video; expand from it.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Video content is valuable for discovery and social reach. But your core audience still chooses audio, and that&#8217;s where the deepest connection happens.</span></p>
<p><b>Position your distinctiveness.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> In an era when every brand is trying to manufacture authenticity, Christian radio has the real thing. Lead from it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SXSW doesn&#8217;t always speak directly to faith-based media. But this year, it kept circling back to the same truth we&#8217;ve built our stations on: technology can do a lot of things, but it cannot replace what happens when a person feels genuinely known, heard, and not alone.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That&#8217;s still our job. And if the conversations in Austin are any indication, there&#8217;s never been a more important time to do it well.</span></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/social-digital/the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know/">The Conference That Predicts the Future Confirms What We Already Know</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/social-digital/the-conference-that-predicts-the-future-confirms-what-we-already-know/">The Conference That Predicts the Future Confirms What We Already Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Problem With Radio Isn’t the Audience. It’s the Strategy.</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Van Dyke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:18:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=64786</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>After this week’s discussion about radio’s future—especially its powerful position in the car—it’s clear the industry isn’t disappearing. It’s evolving. Radio’s future will belong to stations that combine what they’ve [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy/">The Problem With Radio Isn’t the Audience. It’s the Strategy.</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy/">The Problem With Radio Isn’t the Audience. It’s the Strategy.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After this week’s discussion about radio’s future—especially its powerful position in the car—it’s clear the industry isn’t disappearing.</p>
<p>It’s evolving.</p>
<p>Radio’s future will belong to stations that combine what they’ve always done well—local connection, trusted personalities, and immediacy—with the digital tools audiences now expect.</p>
<p>This bears repeating.</p>
<p>Here’s a practical 7-point plan for radio leaders who want to win the next decade.</p>
<h4>1. Own the Car Experience</h4>
<p>Radio’s biggest competitive advantage remains the dashboard. As automakers redesign infotainment systems, radio must ensure it stays easy to access, visible, and integrated with digital features. Stations should also create “drive-friendly” content: quick information, personality interaction, and local relevance that fits how people listen while commuting.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>2. Invest in Air Talent</h4>
<p>Algorithms can deliver songs, but they can’t deliver personality. Great air talent creates habit and emotional connection. Stations that prioritize coaching, development, and creative freedom for their personalities will stand out in a world of automated playlists.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>3. Double Down on Local</h4>
<p>Local information is radio’s most defensible advantage. Weather, traffic, community events, local culture, and neighborhood conversations cannot be replicated by national streaming platforms. Stations should become the daily soundtrack of their city—not just a jukebox.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>4. Expand Aggressively Into Podcasting</h4>
<p>Podcasting shouldn’t be viewed as competition. It’s an extension of radio’s storytelling and personality strengths. Smart stations are using podcasts to deepen engagement with listeners and extend their brand beyond the broadcast clock.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>5. Build Strong Digital Distribution</h4>
<p>Listeners increasingly expect access everywhere: smart speakers, mobile apps, connected cars, and social platforms. Stations must ensure their streams are easy to find and frictionless to use wherever audiences choose to listen.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>6. Improve Advertising Attribution</h4>
<p>Radio’s biggest revenue opportunity lies in proving its effectiveness. With better use of digital analytics, promo codes, and attribution tools, stations can demonstrate measurable results to advertisers and compete more effectively with digital platforms.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>7. Think Like a Media Brand, Not Just a Radio Station</h4>
<p>The most successful operators will stop thinking in terms of transmitters and start thinking in terms of audiences. A station’s brand should live across broadcast, social media, podcasts, events, and digital platforms. The more places listeners encounter your brand, the stronger your relationship with them becomes.</p>
<p>Radio’s story is one of transition.</p>
<p>The stations that succeed will be the ones that protect radio’s traditional strengths while embracing the tools of modern media.</p>
<p>The future of radio isn’t just on the dial anymore.</p>
<p>It’s everywhere the audience is.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-64794 size-full" src="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PNG-image.png" alt="" width="930" height="1368" srcset="https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PNG-image.png 930w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PNG-image-204x300.png 204w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PNG-image-696x1024.png 696w, https://cmbonline.org/wp23/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PNG-image-768x1130.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" /></p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7438161969528045568/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Link to Original Source</a></em></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy/">The Problem With Radio Isn’t the Audience. It’s the Strategy.</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/programming/the-problem-with-radio-isnt-the-audience-its-the-strategy/">The Problem With Radio Isn’t the Audience. It’s the Strategy.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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		<title>Celebrate Christian Music Month with CMB</title>
		<link>https://cmbonline.org/features/celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[CMB Online]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:39:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[On-Air]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cmbonline.org/?p=64695</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Each spring, Christian music reaches one of its most meaningful moments. As listeners prepare their hearts for Easter, the songs they hear on Christian radio often become the soundtrack for [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/features/celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb/">Celebrate Christian Music Month with CMB</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/features/celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb/">Celebrate Christian Music Month with CMB</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Each spring, Christian music reaches one of its most meaningful moments. As listeners prepare their hearts for Easter, the songs they hear on Christian radio often become the soundtrack for reflection, worship, and celebration. That’s why the industry has come together to recognize </span><b>Christian Music Month</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a time dedicated to highlighting the impact and message of Christian and Gospel music.</span></p>
<h3></h3>
<h4><b>Why It Matters</b></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The weeks surrounding Easter consistently represent one of the most significant times of the year for Christian music engagement. Listeners are naturally drawn to songs that point them to hope, redemption, and the resurrection story.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christian Music Month builds on that momentum by encouraging fans to listen, share, and rediscover the music that strengthens their faith. It’s also an opportunity for stations to spotlight the artists and songs that continue to shape the Christian music landscape.</span></p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><b>How Stations Can Participate</b></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christian Music Month is a collaborative effort across the Christian music industry, bringing together artists, labels, streaming platforms, tours, and radio. Stations have a unique opportunity to help amplify this celebration within their community.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stations can participate by:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Highlighting Christian Music Month on-air and online</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Featuring artists and songs that have impacted listeners’ faith</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sharing stories about the role Christian music plays in people’s lives</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Encouraging listeners to engage with and share the music they love</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By leaning into this moment together, Christian radio can continue to lead the way in connecting audiences with music that points them to Jesus.</span></p>
<h3></h3>
<h4><b>Resources for Stations</b></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help stations participate, Christian Music Month resources and artist liners are available for download: </span><strong><a href="https://christianmusicmonth.com/resources">https://christianmusicmonth.com/resources</a></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/features/celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb/">Celebrate Christian Music Month with CMB</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cmbonline.org/features/celebrate-christian-music-month-with-cmb/">Celebrate Christian Music Month with CMB</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cmbonline.org">CMB</a>.</p>
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