How Independent Gospel Artists Are Using Internet Radio to Chart on Billboard

In recent years, the rise of internet radio has changed the landscape of music distribution and promotion. Internet radio stations have given independent artists a new platform to reach large audiences, which has led to some of these artists charting on Billboard. In this publishing, we will explore the impact of popular internet radio stations on charting, with a focus on Gospel music.

One example of an internet radio station with a high volume of listeners that has had an impact on the Gospel charts is Pandora. Pandora is a popular streaming service that creates personalized radio stations based on the listener's preferences. The service has over 60 million active users in the United States and has been shown to have a significant impact on charting for certain genres. In fact, a study conducted by Next Big Sound found that Pandora plays have a stronger correlation to chart success than terrestrial radio plays for certain genres, including Gospel.

Pandora's Gospel music station features a mix of contemporary Gospel, Gospel hip-hop, and traditional Gospel music. The station has over 250,000 monthly listeners and features both major label and independent artists. According to Billboard, Pandora's plays are now factored into the Billboard 200 albums chart, as well as other genre-specific charts, such as the Gospel charts. This means that if a song receives a high number of plays on Pandora, it can impact its chart position on Billboard.

Another example of an internet radio station that has had an impact on the Gospel charts is iHeartRadio. iHeartRadio is a free, online radio platform that features over 1,500 live stations and custom artist stations. The platform has over 128 million registered users and has been shown to have a significant impact on charting for certain genres, including Gospel.

iHeartRadio's Gospel station features a mix of contemporary Gospel and Gospel hip-hop music. The station has over 27,000 monthly listeners and features both major label and independent artists. According to iHeartRadio, their streams are factored into the Billboard 200 albums chart, as well as other genre-specific charts, such as the Gospel charts.

To provide some specific examples of Gospel songs that have charted on Billboard thanks to internet radio play, we can look at the success of independent artists such as Jekalyn Carr and Todd Dulaney. In 2018, Carr's single "You Will Win" reached number one on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, largely due to its success on internet radio. Similarly, in 2016, Todd Dulaney's single "The Anthem" charted on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, largely due to its success on internet radio platforms such as Pandora and iHeartRadio.

Here’s A list of 20 Internet radio stations that has had an impact on the Gospel billboard charts.

1. Pandora Gospel Radio
2. iHeartRadio Gospel
3. SiriusXM Kirk Franklin's Praise
4. RadioU Fusion: Christian Hip Hop & Rap
5. KeepTheFaith Internet Radio
6. Faith Radio
7. Gospel Impact Radio
8. Gospel Radio Nation
9. Gospel Jazz Radio
10. Heaven 610 AM
11. 95.7 Hallelujah FM
12. Spirit 1400
13. Rejoice 102.3 FM
14. WIMG 1300 AM
15. Joyful FM
16. Grace FM
17. Gospel Vibes Radio
18. KATZ Gospel Radio
19. KJIC Gospel Radio
20. KHAM Radio Gospel

It's important to carefully read their submission guidelines before submitting your music to ensure that it's a good fit for their station.

In conclusion, internet radio stations with a high volume of listeners have had a significant impact on charting for Gospel music, providing independent artists with a new platform to reach large audiences. Services like Pandora and iHeartRadio are now factored into Billboard's charting methodology, meaning that plays on these platforms can impact an artist's chart position. As internet radio continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that we will see more Gospel and Christian music artists charting thanks to the exposure they receive on these platforms.