iHeartMedia has officially kicked off its annual transition to all-holiday music. Flipping more than 95 stations nationwide to festive programming that will run 24/7 through Christmas Day.
The company announced that its lineup once again blends contemporary artists with timeless holiday staples from Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and others. Marking the unofficial start of the audio industry’s most predictable—and profitable—seasonal surge.
Additionally, iHeartMedia will bring back the iHeartRadio Holiday Special on November 26. Mario Lopez returns as host of the nationwide broadcast. Which will feature interviews with artists including Goo Goo Dolls, Gwen Stefani, Lady A, Meghan Trainor, Pentatonix, and Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless.
The conversations will highlight each artist’s holiday traditions, favorite seasonal songs, and behind-the-scenes memories. Connected to the music that dominates playlists this time of year. The special will air at 7 p.m. local time across iHeart stations and stream at 7 p.m. ET on the Holiday Season Radio channel within the iHeartRadio app.
For iHeartMedia, the flip isn’t just a programming move—it’s a strategic position the company has owned for years. The broadcaster says converting stations to wall-to-wall holiday music through December 25 has made it the country’s top destination for seasonal listening. A standing that often translates into strong advertiser interest and elevated time spent listening.
Beyond the terrestrial dial, the iHeartRadio app continues to expand the company’s holiday footprint. Listeners can access an array of themed channels across more than 500 platforms and 2,000 devices. Flagship stations include “iHeart Christmas,” which offers a full mix of classics and contemporary hits, and “North Pole Radio,” hosted by Santa Claus himself.
Additional genre-specific holiday channels. Ranging from country and jazz to rock and R&B. Round out a catalog designed to keep audiences engaged throughout the season. Users can find the full collection by searching “iHeart Holiday” in the app.
Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. He said the combination of nostalgia, tradition, and artist participation continues to resonate with audiences.
“Every holiday season, our stations set the tone with beloved festive tunes that span generations from Christmas classics to today’s newest holiday songs,” Poleman said. “Our Holiday Special resonates so deeply with our listeners because it’s more than just our radio stations flipping to holiday music, it’s a heartfelt celebration where artists open up and share personal stories behind the season with fans. It’s a time of joy and nostalgia — and we’re honored to be part of it year after year.”
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