Christian FM CEO Jon Hamilton Responds to Moody Move

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | 3:08pm CT

Jon Hamilton

Christian FM Media President Jon Hamilton is calling for a shift in perspective following Moody Radio's recent decision to nationalize programming and reduce local content -- a move that has sparked strong reactions throughout the Christian radio industry.

In a commentary addressing the industry-wide debate, Hamilton acknowledged the human toll of the transition. "A lot of good people are losing jobs in this process, not because they were doing anything wrong but simply due to changing realities in the media landscape," he wrote.

Moody's decision, while controversial, is not unprecedented. "With the possible exception of Northwestern Media, virtually every multi-market owner in Christian radio has been slowly consolidating programming efforts," Hamilton noted. He added that this shift has been underway for years, driven by changing technology and audience behavior -- not "corporate greed" or the decline of the medium.

Reflecting on his own experience in Christian radio since 1981, Hamilton said the era of fully live and local programming is gone. "That era will never return. Now, we will either think outside of the old box, or be buried in it."

Hamilton emphasized that Christian FM was created to help local stations remain competitive in this evolving landscape. His recommendation to stations for nearly two decades: invest in one or two strong local shows, but fill the rest of the day with top-tier syndicated talent that truly connects with listeners.

"Unfortunately," he said, "many broadcasters resisted syndicated shows as if they were an invading Vandal horde. They pictured themselves bravely holding back the evil army at the gate... But they were not offering listeners something better, more interesting or more engaging."

He argued that syndication, far from being a threat, can enhance local radio when used strategically. "The best syndicated shows are attracting huge audiences and are actually saving local stations by pulling in listeners [and] revenue."

Addressing the common industry mantra that "live and local wins," Hamilton pushed back. "Live and local is NOT the fix for radio's problems. Your local personality is NOT preferable to the listener UNLESS he or she connects better than the national personality."

He also warned against blaming large networks like K-LOVE or Moody Radio for shifts in the industry. "They don't determine your success or failure as a ministry," he said. "Technology, marketplace, and consumer demand have produced most of the changes we see."

Despite the upheaval, Hamilton remains optimistic about radio's future. "The larger audience today is still on the radio," he concluded. "We still have the largest mass-medium in America. We just need to wake up to the changes, work smarter, and stop criticizing what isn't ours."

Hamilton leads Christian FM Media, which supplies content and programming to more than 400 Christian music stations across the U.S. and Canada.