iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia: Overview

iHeartMedia is the #1 audio company in the United States, reaching 9 out of 10 Americans every month—a total of 250 million monthly listeners. Founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs as Clear Channel Communications with the purchase of their first FM station in San Antonio, the company has evolved from a regional radio broadcaster into a multi-platform audio powerhouse spanning broadcast radio, digital streaming, podcasts, live events, and advertising technology.

The company rebranded as iHeartMedia in 2014 to reflect its expansion beyond traditional radio into digital platforms. Today, iHeartMedia operates over 860 owned radio stations across 160 markets in America, making local iHeartRadio stations available virtually everywhere. The company's reach surpasses all competitors: 2x the reach of the largest TV network, 4x the reach of the largest ad-enabled streaming music service, and 2.5x the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company.

What sets iHeartMedia apart is their leadership in analytics and attribution technology, leveraging data from their massive consumer base to deliver measurable advertising results. The company operates iHeartPodcasts, the #1 podcast publisher in the United States with 165 million monthly downloads and streams, featuring more than 80 hit shows with over 1 million monthly downloads each. Their audiences are highly engaged, with the lowest ad skip rate at 10% versus the industry average of 20%.

Through their iHeartRadio digital platform, live events like the iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball, and their extensive radio network presence, iHeartMedia has positioned itself as the most comprehensive audio media company in America, offering solutions that span broadcast, podcast, digital, and social platforms.

What Services Does iHeartMedia Provide?

iHeartMedia offers comprehensive audio advertising and media services across multiple platforms:

Broadcast Radio Advertising

• National radio campaigns across 860+ owned stations
• Local market radio advertising in 160 markets
• Radio network advertising through syndicated programming
• Live and local audience targeting

Digital Audio Advertising

• iHeartRadio streaming platform advertising
• Digital audio campaigns across desktop and mobile
• Programmatic audio buying
• Streaming music service advertising

Podcast Advertising

• Podcast sponsorships and integrations
• Host-read advertisements
• Programmatic podcast advertising
• Custom podcast content creation

Live Events & Experiential

• iHeartRadio Music Festival sponsorships
• Jingle Ball event sponsorships
• Local market events and concerts
• Custom branded experiences

Audio & Media Services

• Analytics and attribution technology
• Audience insights and research (iHeartResults)
• Campaign performance measurement
• Data-driven targeting and optimization
• Social media integration

Creative Services

• Audio production and jingle recording
• Campaign creative development
• Multi-platform content adaptation

What Social Platforms Does iHeartMedia Help With?

iHeartMedia integrates social media into their comprehensive audio strategy:

iHeartMedia maintains 5x the social followers of the next largest audio service, demonstrating their ability to leverage social platforms to extend campaign reach. Their approach integrates social media with broadcast, podcast, and digital audio to create cohesive multi-platform campaigns that connect with listeners wherever they consume content.

What Industries Does iHeartMedia Serve?

iHeartMedia serves advertisers across virtually all industries seeking to reach American consumers through audio platforms:

Consumer Goods & Retail

• Consumer products
• Retail brands
• E-commerce

Technology & Entertainment

• Streaming services (Netflix partnership for video podcasts)
• Consumer electronics
• Entertainment brands

Sports & Events

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard (Revolution Tour title sponsor)
• NBCUniversal (exclusive audio partner for 2026 Olympic Winter Games)
• Major sporting events

Automotive, Financial Services, Healthcare, Travel, and Other Categories

• National and local advertisers across all verticals seeking audio reach

The company specializes in helping brands of all sizes—from massive national campaigns to targeted local messaging—connect with American audiences through the power of audio.

What Brands Has iHeartMedia Helped?

Entertainment & Media Partnerships

• Netflix (exclusive video podcast partnership)
• NBCUniversal (exclusive audio partner for 2026 Olympic Winter Games)

Sports Organizations

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard (title sponsor of U.S. Revolution Tour)

Notable Campaign Highlights:

• Netflix Partnership: Announced exclusive video podcast partnership for top iHeartPodcasts, expanding podcast distribution to video format (December 2025)
• 2026 Olympic Winter Games: Named exclusive audio partner by NBCUniversal for the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games
• Jingle Ball 2025: 10 cities, multi-market live event series featuring major recording artists
• AudioCon Consumer Studies: Third annual groundbreaking consumer research study ("The Human Consumer") following previous studies with Malcolm Gladwell

Key Differentiators

• Unmatched Reach: Reaches 9 out of 10 Americans every month—250 million monthly listeners—greater than any other media company in the U.S.
• #1 Podcast Publisher: 165 million monthly downloads and streams, more than 80 hit shows with over 1 million monthly downloads each, lowest ad skip rate in the industry (10% vs 20% industry average)
• Extensive Station Network: Over 860 owned radio stations across 160 markets, providing local presence virtually everywhere in America
• Advanced Analytics & Attribution: Industry-leading analytics and attribution technology leveraging data from massive consumer base
• Multi-Platform Integration: Seamless integration across broadcast radio, digital streaming, podcasts, live events, and social media
• Local + National Capability: Solutions for every budget from massive national campaigns to targeted local messaging

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