The Mars Hill Network

What The Mars Hill Network does

Mars Hill Network, operated by Mars Hill Broadcasting Company Inc., is a 501(c)(3) listener-supported nonprofit Christian broadcasting ministry headquartered at 4044 Makyes Road in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1966 and broadcasting continuously since WMHR 102.9 FM signed on March 9, 1969, the organization operates seven full-power FM stations (WMHR Syracuse, WMHN Webster/Rochester, WMHI Watertown, WMHQ Malone, WMHU Utica, WMHY Richfield Springs, WMHH Albany/Schenectady) plus 15 translator stations serving upstate New York with border coverage into Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

The network's content consists of Bible teaching (featuring nationally syndicated ministries such as Grace To You, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, Truth For Life with Alistair Begg, and Voice of the Martyrs) and Christ-centered music, delivered through FM broadcast, a website streaming player hosted on Live365, free iOS/Android mobile apps, and Amazon Alexa voice integration. A digital media division called One North, launched June 1, 2020, extends the ministry into podcasts and on-demand digital content, including the MhAX (Mars Hill Alternate Xone) sub-brand targeting youth and young adult audiences.

The revenue model is diversified across listener donations (one-time gifts, monthly pledges, and annual 'Friend' commitments processed through Donorbox), business and ministry underwriting (FCC-restricted acknowledgment announcements on non-commercial stations), recurring church partnership underwriting from 28+ congregations, vehicle donations via the CARS program, and planned-giving vehicles including Qualified Charitable Distributions and donor-advised funds. The organization is an ECFA-accredited member subject to independent financial audits and is governed by an outside-controlled board of directors. Pricing for underwriting is not publicly disclosed; contact is made through the Underwriting and Partner Relations Manager.

Name

The Mars Hill Network

Legal name

Mars Hill Broadcasting Company Inc.

Website

https://marshillnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mars Hill Network is a 501(c)(3) listener-supported Christian radio ministry that operates seven full-power FM stations plus 15 translators across upstate New York, broadcasting Bible teaching and Christ-centered music to individual listeners, church partners, and business underwriters, with global digital reach via streaming and podcasting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC), Religious Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Christian radio broadcasting
• Religious media ministry
• FM radio network
• Christian programming
• Nonprofit broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations and Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual listeners who financially support the ministry through one-time gifts, monthly pledges, and annual 'Friend' commitments. Governed by ECFA financial accountability standards requiring annual independent audits.
2. Business and Ministry Underwriting: Revenue from Christian-owned businesses and ministries purchasing on-air acknowledgment announcements. FCC-licensed non-commercial stations enforce specific wording restrictions for for-profit underwriters (no call-to-action, no comparative wording, no pricing).
3. Church Support: Financial support from churches throughout the listening area who become network church partners. Churches provide monthly underwriting payments to support the ministry as 'broadcasting missionaries' in their communities.
4. Vehicle Donations (CARS Program): Vehicle donation program through CARS (Charity Automotive Recovery Services) allowing donors to receive tax deductions while supporting the network. Donors call 855-550-4483 or complete an online form.
5. Planned Giving: Estate planning vehicles including Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from Traditional IRAs for retired donors who don't itemize deductions, stocks and mutual fund donations to donor-advised funds, and charitable trusts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mars Hill Network operates a listener-supported Christian radio broadcasting ministry distributing biblical teaching and Christ-centered music through seven full-power FM stations and 15 translator stations across upstate New York with border reach into Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The ministry produces its own programming and aggregates content from national Christian ministries (Unshackled, Grace To You, Truth For Life, Turning Point) for broadcast over the air and via digital streaming (website, mobile app, Amazon Alexa, podcasts under the One North digital media division).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One North: Digital media division of Mars Hill Network, launched June 1, 2020, providing additional biblical, Christ-centered content offerings beyond radio broadcast.
• Mars Hill Alternate Xone (MhAX)

Products and services

• Mars Hill Network FM Radio Broadcast A network of seven full-power FM radio stations plus 15 translator stations broadcasting Christian teaching and worship music across upstate New York with cross-border reach into Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Programming serves individual Christian listeners, churches, and Christian business underwriters.
• One North Digital Media Digital media division providing podcasts, on-demand digital content, and video series such as 'Faith Feature' and 'MhAX Impact' extending the ministry's biblical, Christ-centered content offerings beyond traditional radio broadcasting.
• Mars Hill Network Digital Streaming Service Live audio streaming of the Mars Hill Network broadcast via the Live365-powered Listen Live web player, providing global online access to the network's Christian programming for listeners outside the FM broadcast footprint.
• Mars Hill Network Mobile App (MHN App) Free Mars Hill Network mobile application for iOS and Android that delivers live streaming of the network's Christian radio programming to listeners on mobile devices.
• Hilltop Kids Children's Programming Christian children's programming aired on the network, including 'Hilltop Kids Corner' hosted by Valerie Case, supporting faith-building for children and promoting Vacation Bible School events.
• Mars Hill Alternate Xone (MhAX) Youth and Young Adult Ministry Youth and young adult-focused Christian ministry operating under Mars Hill Network's One North digital media arm, providing age-appropriate programming such as the 'MhAX Impact' podcast and 'Faith Feature' video series.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Reach BeyondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational missions partnership. Mars Hill Network participates in worldwide missions by partnering with Reach Beyond to extend Gospel reach internationally.
• Far East BroadcastingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational radio broadcasting ministry partnership extending Christian programming to Asia.
• Trans-World RadiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Christian radio network partnership for international Gospel broadcasting.
• Gospel for AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational missions partnership focused on Asia ministry.
• Samaritans PurseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Christian relief organization partnership for humanitarian and Gospel ministry.
• New Hope Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ministry partnership supporting pregnancy resources and family services.
• Rescue Mission of UticaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ministry partnership serving the homeless and those in need in the Utica area.
• MHR CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian affiliate organization extending Mars Hill Network broadcast reach into Ontario and Quebec, Canada through border stations.
• Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)coreOthersFinancial accountability membership organization. Mars Hill Network is a member in good standing, demonstrating full compliance with ECFA financial management and reporting standards, including governance by an outside-controlled board of directors, appropriate use of funds, adequate financial disclosure, and integrity in fund-raising.
• DonorboxminorOthersOnline donation platform used for processing listener contributions and Careathon fundraising gifts.
• Live365coreTechnology or IntegrationInternet radio streaming platform hosting Mars Hill Network's live audio stream at player.live365.com/marshillnetwork.
• CARS (Charity Automotive Recovery Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation processing partner enabling donors to contribute vehicles for tax benefits while supporting the ministry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WAY-FM Media Group: Christian music and teaching radio network operating multiple full-power FM stations across the U.S. with a donor-supported nonprofit structure analogous to Mars Hill Network's ministry model.
• American Family Radio: National Christian conservative radio network with hundreds of affiliates and full-power stations, donor-funded, and offering a similar mix of Bible teaching, news, and Christian music programming.
• Relevant Radio: Catholic-focused radio network operating full-power FM stations across multiple states with a donor-supported nonprofit ministry model very similar to Mars Hill's, though denominationally distinct.
• Bott Radio Network: The largest independent Christian radio network in the U.S., operating multiple full-power FM stations across the Midwest and beyond with a listener-supported nonprofit model very similar to Mars Hill Network's structure and ministry focus.
• Moody Radio: Faith-based radio broadcasting ministry operated by Moody Bible Institute, distributing Christian teaching and music through terrestrial FM stations, streaming, and podcasts — directly comparable mission and distribution model.
• VCY America (VCY Radio Network): Listener-supported Christian radio network broadcasting Bible teaching, preaching, and conservative Christian music nationwide via multiple FM signals — directly analogous ministry and funding model.

Broad incumbents

• K-LOVE (Educational Media Foundation): The largest U.S. contemporary Christian music radio network with hundreds of FM signals and broad digital streaming reach; serves a similar listener base but at materially larger national scale than Mars Hill's regional network.
• Salem Communications / Salem Media Group: Publicly traded multi-format broadcaster with a substantial portfolio of Christian and conservative talk radio stations, representing the for-profit, scaled incumbent counterpart to Mars Hill's nonprofit ministry model.
• EWTN Radio / EWTN Global Catholic Network: Large Catholic media organization operating radio, TV, and digital platforms globally; comparable as a faith-based broadcasting ministry with multi-platform distribution including radio stations.

Regional players

• Reform Radio / Calvary Radio Network: Regional Christian radio networks affiliated with specific church movements, broadcasting Bible teaching and worship music across localized markets with a similar listener-supported structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mars-hill-broadcasting-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Mars Hill Network