Welcome to our dedicated page for iHeartMedia news (Ticker: IHRT), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on iHeartMedia stock.
iHeartMedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: IHRT) is a leading multimedia and entertainment company based in the United States, recognized for its wide-reaching influence in the audio broadcasting industry. With a substantial presence across multiple platforms, iHeartMedia boasts an impressive 245 million monthly listeners in the U.S., 87 million monthly digital uniques, and over 75 million social followers. The company has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America, serving over 150 markets through its 858 owned radio stations.
iHeartMedia operates through three primary segments: the Multiplatform Group, the Digital Audio Group, and the Audio & Media Services Group. The Multiplatform Group, which includes the company's broadcast radio, networks, sponsorships, and events businesses, is the company’s prime revenue driver. The Digital Audio Group encompasses iHeartMedia's digital ventures, notably including podcasting, which is a rapidly growing segment for the company. The Audio & Media Services Group includes Katz Media Group, a full-service media representation business, and RCS Sound Software, a provider of scheduling and broadcast software and services.
iHeartMedia's signature digital radio platform, iHeartRadio, is a top-ranking all-in-one digital audio service, boasting over 700 million downloads. It achieved a milestone by reaching its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in internet history, and it hit 70 million users quicker than any other radio or digital music service, outperforming even Facebook in terms of growth rate.
Recently, iHeartMedia has engaged in significant partnerships to expand its reach and influence. One notable collaboration is with MundoNow's Oyénos Audio Network. This partnership aims to distribute a diverse range of podcasts, enriching the podcasting landscape with multifaceted Latino experiences. Oyénos has experienced remarkable growth since its launch, averaging 1.5 million downloads per month. This partnership allows iHeartMedia to leverage its vast reach and extensive marketing assets to further grow the platform and bring diverse content to new audiences.
iHeartMedia continues to lead the audio media industry, reaching over 90% of Americans each month with its broadcast radio assets alone, which have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet. The company is also the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined. Its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach enable it to build and innovate new platforms, products, and services.
BBC Studios and iHeartMedia have announced a multi-year partnership making iHeart the exclusive third-party advertising reseller of BBC podcasts in the U.S. market. This strategic expansion will leverage iHeartMedia's audio sales force to represent BBC's premium podcast portfolio, which includes popular shows like Global News Podcast, World of Secrets, and In Our Time.
The partnership follows BBC Studios' launch of a dedicated audio unit in early 2024 to maximize opportunities in the global audio market. Through iHeart's Triton technology, the collaboration will enable brands to incorporate BBC podcasts across BBC's digital platforms, including BBC.com, YouTube channels, FAST channels, and social media.
iHeartPodcasts, ranked as the No. 1 podcast publisher globally by Podtrac, will help extend BBC's podcast growth in the U.S. The deal builds on BBC Studios' recent partnership with Triton Digital, an iHeartMedia-owned company, for leveraging digital audio platforms and tools outside the UK.
iHeartMedia, the global leader in podcast publishing, has partnered with Qatar's Government Communications Office as the official podcast partner for Web Summit Qatar 2025. The event, scheduled for February 23-26, 2025, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, expects to attract over 20,000 technology and business leaders and 1,250 startups.
The summit will feature prominent iHeartPodcasts talent including Malcolm Gladwell, Jay Shetty, and David Eagleman, alongside Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. A new addition to the conference, the iHeart Podcast Creator Studio, will offer live podcast recordings and an attendee lounge. The studio will host various podcast courses covering storytelling, technical setup, production basics, and marketing strategies.
iHeartMedia and FOX Entertainment announced the nominees for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, scheduled to air LIVE from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 17. The event will honor Lady Gaga with the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award and Mariah Carey with the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award.
The 12th annual ceremony will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations throughout 2024. This year's event will pay tribute to Los Angeles's resilience following devastating wildfires and drive donations to Fireaidla.org. Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, and Kendrick Lamar lead with the most nominations, with Swift's Eras Tour being celebrated as Tour of the Century.
The awards include fan-voted categories such as Favorite Soundtrack, Broadway Debut, K-pop Dance Challenge, and Tour Style. Voting begins January 22 and closes March 10.
iHeartMedia, The Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+ announced 'My Legacy', a new podcast series launching January 20, 2025. The series will feature intimate conversations with influential leaders and public figures, hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Legacy+ founders Craig and Marc Kielburger.
The weekly podcast will debut on MLK Day, featuring guests like Mel Robbins, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, David Oyelowo, Billy Porter, and Martin Sheen, accompanied by their close confidantes. The series aims to explore defining moments and untold struggles shaping their legacies.
As part of the initiative, iHeartMedia will award a $5 million Spotlight Media Grant to the 'Realize the Dream' Movement, supporting their goal to inspire 100 million hours of community service before Dr. King's 100th birth anniversary in 2029.
iHeartMedia has announced the twelfth annual iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One, scheduled for May 3, 2025, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The festival will feature performances by country music stars including Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, and Nate Smith.
The event, hosted by Bobby Bones, will be exclusively livestreamed on Hulu for subscribers at no additional cost and broadcast across iHeartCountry stations nationwide. Capital One cardholders get exclusive presale access from January 21-23, with general public tickets available from January 24. Cardholders can also purchase a Capital One Access Pass for an exclusive pre-event featuring Rascal Flatts.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® is the benefiting charity partner for the 2025 festival, with fans able to support through donations at musicgives.org.
iHeartMedia and the National Football League (NFL) have extended their exclusive partnership for the NFL Podcast Network, which was initially launched in 2021. The expanded collaboration will introduce new original podcasts and NFL Club shows annually, with iHeart identifying additional existing podcasts to join the network.
The first new show for 2025, 'Lots To Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel', features iHeart's Bobby Bones and former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback Matt Cassel discussing football, music, and current events. The Nashville-based show will include celebrity guests like Tim McGraw, Parker McCollum, and NFL legends.
The NFL Podcast Network currently hosts several popular shows including 'NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal', 'Off the Edge with Cam Jordan', and 'The Season with Peter Schrager'. All shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.
iHeartMedia, the global leader in podcast publishing, has announced the nominees for The iHeartPodcast Awards, scheduled for March 10, 2025, at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. The event, partnering with SXSW, will honor 2024's most innovative podcast creators across 29 categories.
The ceremony will feature the fan-voted Podcast of the Year award, with nominees including 'Normal Gossip,' 'Three,' and 'Call Her Daddy.' Three Icon Awards will be presented to notable industry contributors: Sarah Spain (Social Impact Award), Dan Taberski (Audible Audio Pioneer Award), and Daniel Alarcón (Innovator Award).
The event will be broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations, the iHeartRadio app, and iHeartRadio's YouTube Channel. For the first time, select SXSW badge holders will have access to the ceremony, marking the largest production and venue in the event's history.
iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) has successfully completed comprehensive exchange transactions for approximately $4.8 billion (92.2%) of its existing debt. The exchange includes various secured and unsecured notes due 2026-2028 for new secured notes due 2029-2031. Key outcomes include:
- Extension of debt maturities by three years
- Reduction in total debt by over $440 million
- Expected flat consolidated annual net cash interest payments
- Strengthened capital structure with increased flexibility
The exchange saw high participation rates, including 94.4% of 2026 Secured Notes, 99.1% of 2027 Secured Notes, 44.6% of 2028 Secured Notes, 92.1% of Unsecured Notes, and 99.7% of Existing Term Loans.
iHeartMedia has launched its most significant update to the iHeartRadio app since 2011, introducing industry-first features that bridge traditional car radio experience with mobile streaming. The redesigned app includes innovative features like custom presets for up to 15 favorites, a scan button for discovering nationwide stations, a live radio dial, trending content rankers, and lyrics display functionality - making it the only digital radio app offering lyrics for live radio songs.
The update, available to all Android and iOS users by December 17, also incorporates exclusive editorial content from iHeartMedia stations and creates an ultimate artist fan hub with news, interviews, and contests. The redesign was based on extensive user research and feedback, aiming to deliver a seamless and simplified radio listening experience that combines familiar car radio features with modern streaming capabilities.
iHeartMedia, the leading US audio company, has announced its adoption of Unified ID 2.0 (UID2), a privacy-focused identity framework developed by The Trade Desk. The integration aims to enhance audio advertising through improved targeting, measurement, and attribution across iHeartMedia's platforms.
With 860 broadcast and streaming radio stations, the iHeartRadio platform, and its position as the #1 podcast publisher globally, iHeartMedia reaches a quarter of a billion monthly listeners across the US. The UID2 integration will enable advertisers to connect with addressable, privacy-compliant audiences more effectively across iHeartMedia's channels.
This implementation supports the company's goal to make broadcast listening, which represents nearly 70% of all ad-enabled audio consumption, fully programmatic and addressable.
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