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

Abstract

The communication of religious ideas has followed a path that issimilar to the dissemination of other types of content. TheInternet and social networks have enabled the appearance ofnew Catholic preachers with intense activity and a high numberof followers on their channels. YouTube has been no exception tothis communication trend. Some of the religious communicatorswho use this social network have in fact become the natural heirsto the former TV preachers, or televangelists. Others haveadapted their religious discourse to the narratives of thesechannels, addressing young audiences who are familiar with thenew languages. Still others have launched channels on YouTubein order to broaden the audience of their usual liturgical andclerical activities. They are the new influencers in the religiousrealm, capable of multiplying audiences, establishing dialogueswith them, and generating engagement. This article shows theresults of an analysis of the Spanish-speaking Catholiccommunicators with the largest number of followers on YouTube.Based on a sample of videos with the most views, conclusionshave been drawn about profiles, followers, subjects, production,positioning, generating engagement, and relationships withaudiences.