New Research on Christian Teaching and Talk Listeners Revealed by Salem Communications

CAMARILLO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/12/14 -- Salem Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SALM) today released research data it commissioned in the largest research project ever done on the habits and patterns of Christian Teaching and Talk listeners across the country. Nielsen Audio conducted this in-depth qualitative study of 350 Salem Teaching and Talk listeners across both PPM and diary markets with Edison Research. Salem's study talked to the listeners of Christian formatted talk stations owned by Salem and other companies, to determine who they are, why they listen, and how they listen.

CTT (Christian Teaching and Talk) LISTENERS ARE MORE STABLE IN MARRIAGE

The study found that while 53% of the US adult population is married, that goes up to 69% with CTT listeners. 29% have a child 17 years old, or younger. While 13% of the US adult population is divorced, only 6% of the CTT listeners are divorced. The study reveals that CTT listeners are much more likely than the general population to be in the middle of a stable marital relationship, and are about 50% less likely to be divorced.

"A great deal of the programming heard on our CTT stations encourages a strong and healthy relationship between man and wife. Some of our programs are devoted almost entirely to this subject," said Salem Communications President Dave Santrella. "It is no wonder then that what we found verifies that what they hear, they also follow at home, with a stable marriage being much more likely."

CTT (Christian Teaching and Talk) LISTENERS ARE HUGE SUPPORTERS OF THE PROGRAMS THEY HEAR

This study shows that the typical listener to the CTT format is much more willing to make donations to support the ministries and donor partners they hear on the air than the other formats. A stunning 52% of the P-1 listeners surveyed said they had made a donation to a ministry at least once in the last year, and 32% of all CTT listeners said the same. 45% of them one time, 25% twice, 17% three times, and 13% made donations 4 or more times.

The other major finding here is that listeners are willing to support many more than just one ministry. Rather than picking one and supporting one, 50% said they had donated to 4 or more ministries. Salem believes these statistics indicate that the typical CTT listener is fully engaged and engrossed in the format, not just as a listener but as an active participant, financially supporting multiple ministry partners.

Such loyalty also carries over to the advertisers they hear on Christian radio. The study reveals that a large group of listeners, 64% find the advertisers on Christian radio to be more credible than non-Christian stations. A whopping 92 percent said these Christian radio advertisers are either more credible or the same as typical radio advertisers.

"This proves something that we have thought internally but now have the data to backup," said Dave Santrella, Radio Division President of Salem Communications. "Not only are our listeners willing to financially back the ministry programs they hear on the air and will do so for multiple ministries, they also will back advertisers who buy time on these stations, because they know they are supporting Christian radio." The type of loyalty that Salem has found among the audience is larger than other formats and makes a compelling argument for both ministries and advertisers to continue to support these stations.

"This custom study allows Salem to tell its unique story to advertisers and further leverage their programming and business objectives," said Carol Edwards, SVP Nielsen Media Analytics, adding "By demonstrating how listeners engage with audio content, Salem can enhance the value of its ratings and differentiate itself from its competitors."

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About Salem Communications

Salem Communications is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company that provides programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and conservative radio content, as measured by the number of stations and audience coverage. Upon completion of all announced transactions, the company will operate a portfolio of 103 radio stations in 39 markets, including 62 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Salem's portfolio includes 40 stations programmed in a Christian talk format, 27 in a conservative talk format, 12 in a contemporary Christian music format, 8 in a Spanish Christian format and 10 in a business talk format. We also program the Family Talk™ Christian-themed talk format on XM Radio, channel 131 and operate ChristianRadio.com and Conservativeradio.com.

Salem also owns Salem Radio Network®, a national radio network that syndicates Christian and conservative talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,500 affiliated radio stations, and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.

Salem operates Salem Web Network, an online provider of Christian and conservative themed news, analysis and commentary. Christian content websites include: Christianity.com, Crosswalk.com®, BibleStudyTools.com, GodTube.com and GodVine.com, WorshipHouseMedia.com and OnePlace.com. Conservative opinion websites include Townhall.com™, HotAir.com, Twitchy.com, Redstate.com and HumanEvents.com.

Salem also owns Regnery Publishing, the country's leading publisher of conservative books. Salem Publishing™ circulates Christian and conservative magazines including Homecoming, YouthWorker Journal™, The Singing News, Preaching and Townhall Magazine™. Xulon Press™ is a provider of self-publishing services targeting the Christian audience.

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Source: Salem Communications Corporation

Released March 12, 2014