ITEMS of INTEREST

with contributions from Bob Harvey, Tom Murphy, Charles Edward Scott, Jr.

"Americans Aged 55 And Over are more religious and have a more positive attitude toward their religion, but the largest consumers of religious media products in the country are between the ages of 35 and 54, according to 'The US Market for Religious Publishing and Products,' a new report by market research publisher Packaged Facts. More than half of listeners of religious radio shows are middle-aged, while nearly half of the market for religious television programming and books are between 35 and 54 years old.

"Overall, the market for religious publishing and products is valued at $6.8 billion, according to Packaged Facts. Books comprise the lion's share of the market, at 51 percent, growing from $2.64 billion in sales in 1999 to $3.5 billion in 2003. The segment experienced a compund annual growth rate of 9.1 percent during the four-year period due to increased interest in the general 'Christian Living' category, which relates religion to day-to-day life.

"Interestingly enough, the report adds that while 79 percent of Americans believe in God, those who attend weekly services are on the downslide, at just 26 percent. Despite this trend, religion remains a hot topic ....

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