The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), in collaboration with the Barna Group, released a report with eye-catching statistics. It turns out, over 60% of American adults are captivated by Christian media.

From TV and radio to podcasts and social media, half of these surveyed viewers tune in to Christian media sources weekly, with 28% labeled as “heavy users,” binge-watching across multiple platforms daily. The audience? It’s younger than one might expect. While older generations are still a strong part of the equation (58%), it’s the family-oriented and often conservative Gen Z leading the charge at 64%.

Beyond entertainment, the report highlighted how the content is sparking spiritual growth, emotional resilience, and even swaying election prayers and votes. Roughly two-thirds of Americans called Christian media trustworthy, putting a spotlight on just how far-reaching the Christian media is as it shapes hearts, minds, and the cultural conversation. As Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, noted on Thursday’s “Washington Watch,” “Christian media, according to the NRB, is not only surviving, it is thriving.”

He continued, “This news seems surprising given the attempts to label Christians as hateful people. But with Americans’ trust in media at the lowest point in over five decades, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that people are tuning to sources that believe in absolute truth.” As Troy Miller, NRB president and CEO, emphasized, “That stereotype of the televangelist is really gone. And people … are tuning in. Look, 60% of Americans, that’s Americans, not just Christians … tune in to Christian media in some form, whether it’s traditional broadcast radio, television, social media, or on … websites. So, that’s a huge number.”

Miller was encouraged by the high percentage of Gen Z viewers. “[Y]oung people are reaching out,” he said, “and look, they’re the ones that have been targeted the most by the progressives. And … I think that’s a big repudiation of that message.”

So, Perkins asked, “What’s the driver? Why are people tuning in to Christian broadcasting? Is it the fact that it’s more accessible? Is it the fact that there’s a trust factor there?” According to Miller, “[T]here are two main” drivers. First, he explained that “66% of people said that they find Christian media both trustworthy and … important to tune into.” Second, “people are looking for hope and encouragement.” When asked, “Why are you tuning into Christian media?” Miller said that the “number one” response was tied to seeking “hope and encouragement.”

“[T]hat’s important,” Perkins chimed in, “because as Christians, and that’s here at the Family Research Council, we speak the truth. We do so with hope, and we do so with courage.” He added, “The truth is hopeful because, as Jesus said, the truth is what will set you free. And when we talk … on this news program, ‘Washington Watch,’ we challenge people to pray about the news.” Ultimately, Perkins noted, “[W]e don’t want to just frustrate people. We’re not here to make people angry or upset. We want to give them, number one, a way to pray, and number two, a way to take action. And … as Christians, we should be filled with hope, and that should be passing on to others through our messaging.”

A report that shows Americans are searching for hope and encouragement “really tells us that there’s a rejection of the mainstream messaging out there,” Miller stated. “[S]o much of the mainstream media, whether it’s news or entertainment, is … full of hate. It’s full of despair. It takes away purpose in life, and it’s very depressing.” As a result, “people [are] reaching out in such big numbers … looking to find that hope and … that encouragement.”

And really, Perkins noted, mainstream media is at a place “where you can’t really rely on” it, and “there’s a lot of reasons to be discouraged.” Unless, he stressed, “you find the source of hope. And that’s what … Christian media offers.” Miller agreed, stating that he is surprised at “the impact that Christian media is having.”

And another example of this, Miller explained, is how 75% of Christian voters “relied on Christian media to help guide their decisions in the elections and what’s going on in the culture” — “another big number.”

“[F]or all of us out there that are in Christian media, I just want to say you’re having an impact,” Miller concluded. “You’re reaching the culture. So, don’t buy the message that mainstream media is the place where people are getting their news or getting their information.” People are “looking for absolute truth. They’re looking for hope, and they’re looking for encouragement. And by these results, Christian media is providing those things.”