iHeartMedia’s Third Quarter 2026 Net Revenue Up 3.3%
Reporting on its financial results for the third quarter of 2026, iHeartMedia reveals net income of $1.03 billion – an increase of 3.3% over the same period a year ago (although revenue was up just 0.9% excluding political). Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We generated Adjusted EBITDA of $170 million. Our Digital 
Audio Group, led by podcasting, and our Audio and Media Services Group both continued to deliver strong results and profitability. Given the accelerating adoption of audio programmatic, we believe that the continuing rollout of our AudioGraph platform has the potential to meaningfully improve the performance of our broadcast radio business, enabling us to meet the advertising community the way they want to buy advertising.” The company reports a net loss of $8.2 million for the quarter, down significantly from the $65.8 million it reported a year ago. President and COO Rich Bressler adds, “In Q3 the Digital Audio Group’s revenue was $389 million, up 13.8% vs. prior year, and our Q3 Adjusted EBITDA margins were 32.8%. While this quarter was negatively impacted by a number of factors, we believe many of our revenue challenges are addressable – and beginning in 2027, we expect to establish podcasting as a separate reporting segment, which will provide greater insight into its financial performance and make it easier to fully value all four of our segments and our entire company.”
same period a year ago. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III says, “Market conditions in radio continued to adversely impact revenue in the third quarter. We were helped by net political revenue of over $0.8 million in the quarter and the acquisition of stations in our Dallas market, effective July 17th, which contributed an additional $1.9 million of net revenue in the quarter. Net political revenue for the full year is expected to be $8.8 million across all divisions. Weak demand in the Cable TV scatter market, shifted more inventory to the direct response category at lower rates in the third quarter. We saw an increase in local digital revenue in our radio markets, but large client attrition and suppressed rates in national direct digital revenue meant significant revenue declines in the overall digital segment… Management is hyper-focused on cost reductions heading into next year and has identified at least $20 million of annualized savings.”
“‘Radio Mambí’ [WAQI-AM] is an institution. For decades, it has been the voice of a community that understands the value of freedom because it has fought to preserve it. We are honored to continue that tradition and ensure ‘Radio Mambí’ remains a trusted source of news, information, and conversation for generations to come.” Newsmax Radio and Audio CEO Ralph Renzi adds, “We are excited to serve the communities of South Florida through these legendary radio stations and to expand the Newsmax brand in this important and dynamic market. WAQI and WQBA have deep roots in South Florida, and we look forward to building on their legacy while creating new opportunities to inform, engage, and connect with their audiences.” Newsmax says expects to begin its operations and programming for the stations in the coming months. The transaction is subject to customary FCC and other regulatory approvals and conditions.
Make sure that you and your client are engaging monthly to ensure Proof of Performance, so that your campaign yield will be ready for harvest (renewal). Agree that the measure of success will be both monthly customer counts, and new customer revenue.
independent director on the SiriusXM Board of Directors since March 2025 and will remain a member of the Board of Directors following her appointment. She currently serves as CEO of Tubi. SiriusXM Chairman of the Board Greg Maffei says, “Anjali has built some of the most successful consumer entertainment platforms. In her previous roles, she scaled audiences, expanded platforms, and led businesses supported by both advertising and subscription models. As a member of our Board, she has intimate knowledge of our business and strategy. With her digital media experience, CEO-level success, and Board perspective, we are confident Anjali will hit the ground running and build on our momentum as we continue to execute against our objectives. We believe she will be an outstanding CEO for SiriusXM.” 
women pursuing greater leadership responsibilities across the radio industry. The year-long program provides personalized mentorship, executive-level guidance and professional development opportunities to help participants advance their careers. The program welcomes applicants from a wide range of disciplines, including sales, marketing, programming, digital, operations and other areas of radio management. 
addresses listening by radio format and again this quarter news/talk remains the number one format, with a 10.2% share of total radio listening among P18+. “It is even stronger with older listeners, at 11.5% among P35+. Sports captured 4.5% of total radio listening among P18+ and 4.6% among P25-54, as football season kicked off and baseball headed into its pennant races. All-news held a 2.7% share among P18+ and 3.0% among P35+.” Spoken word radio stations dominated streaming listening. “News/talk, sports and all-news together account for about 36% of station streaming among P18+, roughly double their 17% share of all radio listening. News/talk takes 22.1% of AM/FM station streaming among P18+, more than twice its share of total radio. That rises to 24.2% among P35+. Sports is the No. 1 streamed format among P25-54, at 13.0%, and takes 10.3% of station streaming among P18+.” 
the U.S. and Global Multi-Channel rankings. For the U.S., this includes iHeart Audience Network seeing a 12% increase in audience; iHeart Podcasts – 10% increase in audience; Fox Audio Network – 9% increase in audience; and NPR Sales Network – 9% increase in audience. In the Global Multi-Channel Publisher & Network Ranking, FOX Audio Network saw an 18% increase in downloads, views and plays; PRX – 18% increase in downloads, views and plays; and iHeart Audience Network – 3% increase in downloads, views and plays.
Miami and WQBA-AM, Miami (both 50,000 watts Class B signals) from Latino Media Network for $1.8 million. The stations were acquired by Latino Media Network as part of a 2022 $60 million deal with TelevisaUnivision. These will be Newsmax’s first radio properties. There has been no official statement from Newsmax about its plans for the stations.
This is not about politics. This is about change, and listening to listeners.
forward, that reality should shape the work of the FCC. We ought to be focused on lowering costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring every family can get online. I stand ready to work with members of Congress from both parties to restore a fully staffed, bipartisan Commission as Congress intended. We must rebuild public trust in the FCC by returning the public interest standard to its original meaning as an obligation to communities rather than a tool for political pressure. That means defending the First Amendment and a free press from government interference, advancing competitive innovation that smartly protects our communications networks, and delivering real results for consumers.”
Talk hosts keep hearing that podcasting has turned into a video business: put cameras in the studio or get left behind. The newest audience numbers say something more useful. The people who consume podcasts every week now do both, and the shows they follow have to work with the screen on and with the screen off.
EVP Rose Anderson says, “Every year, we work with our Advisory Board – all industry thought leaders – to make sure that our categories recognize the innovative audio storytelling being created today and reflect our commitment to the power of the individual voice. Their collective wealth of hands-on knowledge, their commitment to excellence and the proven mastery of their craft in the world of sound shows how robust the world of radio is today – and we gain a 360-degree perspective into our ever-changing and interconnected world. The insights into the paths to the future from this international brain trust ensures that NYF’s Radio Awards will continue to honor world-wide excellence across all platforms.” Americans serving on the Grand Jury include: Rory Belfi, vice president, Talk Programming, SiriusXM; Marcella Boehler, associate producer, The Outlaw Ocean Project; Jennie Cataldo, owner & producer, Accompany Studios; Joni Deutsch, SVP of Marketing & Audience Development, The Podglomerate; Valerie Geller, president, Geller Media International; Or Matza, co-founder & creative director, Audio Drama Studios; and Mark Travis, director, Media Production, New York Philharmonic. 
families in need. Last year’s drive raised more than $265,000 and this year’s goal is to feed 75,000 people coast to coast. Erickson says, “Last year our listeners put food on the table for thousands of families, and that generosity still moves me. This isn’t about politics; it’s about compassion, faith, and stepping up for our neighbors. We’re launching this year’s Hungry For A Day drive to do it again and with this audience, I know we will. Hungry For A Day makes it seamless; our listeners make it extraordinary.”
In the nearly four decades that I have been publishing TALKERS, I’m consistently asked by reporters who cover media and politics, “Now that the election is over, what is talk radio going to have to talk about?” This inquiry is based on the false – but widely held assumption – that “talk radio” is a one-trick pony. Drives me nuts.
director. Stigall hosted a show on KCMO, Kansas City in the past. Most recently, Stigall hosted his eponymous talk show syndicated by Salem Radio Network. He gave up his radio show to run for office. KCTV-TV reports, “Stigall campaigned heavily on securing Missouri a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, noting the state currently has no members on it. District 6 includes more than 27,000 farms and drives a large share of the state’s agricultural economy. Stigall said a committee seat would help provide stability for farmers and support passage of a new Farm Bill. He has also called for cutting regulatory ‘red tape’ to make it easier for rural hospitals and health care providers to operate.” 
At 8:15 am, a radio host plays part of a television interview and explains why the guest’s answer deserves scrutiny. By noon, another program has clipped that host’s commentary and is taking it apart. The first use feels like doing the job. The second can feel like somebody helping themselves to your work, especially when they sell advertising around it.