Format Counts: Religion Has More Than Tripled Its Lead Over Country.

Over the past year, the religion format — including stations featuring religious teaching, hymns and other related content — has seen significant growth, adding 71 outlets for a 3.3% gain, while up 1.8% due to 40 new stations in the format since January, based on Inside Radio/PrecisionTrak’s monthly station counts.

The big story has been religion’s takeover at the top in February, becoming the format with more stations than any other — knocking country, the long-time champ, out of the top spot. During the past six months, the difference in total stations between religion and now-second-ranked country has increased from just 22 in February to 74 for July, with religion more than tripling its lead over country. 

Since April, the distance between the two formats has steadily risen, separated by 39 stations in April, 48 in May, 65 in June and 74 in July. Country’s monthly station total has actually been declining since December 2025, losing 44 outlets over the past seven months.

For third-ranked news/talk, the news isn’t much better, as its total has slipped steadily since February, with a 15-station loss year-to-date and shedding 23 year-over-year.

Religion aside, one of only two other top 10-ranked formats adding stations since January 2026 or last July is fourth-ranked contemporary Christian, bringing in 26 year-over-year and four year-to-date. Spanish language formats, coming in fifth, add just three since July 2025 and lose four since January.

*Data provided by M Street Corp. US station counts. No Canadian or Mexican stations are included. Format counts are reported at the end of each month.

The other format growing both ways, eighth-ranked classic rock, hasn’t added much either way, with four more stations year-over-year and two year-to-date. Classic hits, ranked sixth, adds 13 since January but is down by three from a year ago.

The rest of the top 10 formats are down by double-digits: seventh-ranked variety (stations with three or more distinct formats, either block-programmed or simultaneously) loses 27 outlets year-over-year and 20 year-to-date, with those numbers at 22 and 13 respectively for ninth-place sports, and 20 and 11 for top 40, ranked tenth.