Using YouTube as a digital pulpit. The most influential Catholic youtubers in Spanish speaking countries: Who they are and how they communicate

Abstract

The communication of religious ideas has followed a path that is similar to the dissemination of other types of content. The Internet and social networks have enabled the appearance of new Catholic preachers with intense activity and a high number of followers on their channels. YouTube has been no exception to this communication trend. Some of the religious communicators who use this social network have in fact become the natural heirs to the former TV preachers, or televangelists. Others have adapted their religious discourse to the narratives of these channels, addressing young audiences who are familiar with the new languages. Still others have launched channels on YouTube in order to broaden the audience of their usual liturgical and clerical activities. They are the new influencers in the religious realm, capable of multiplying audiences, establishing dialogues with them, and generating engagement. This article shows the results of an analysis of the Spanish-speaking Catholic communicators with the largest number of followers on YouTube. Based on a sample of videos with the most views, conclusions have been drawn about profiles, followers, subjects, production, positioning, generating engagement, and relationships with audiences.