iHeartMedia has released its 2026 first-quarter financial results. It saw an increase in several sectors.
What We Know: iHeartMedia saw growth in several sectors during the first quarter. Podcast revenue saw the largest increase overall for the company. It jumped up 27% to $147 million during the three-month period.
What the Numbers Show:
| Segment | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Revenue | $884.2 million | $807.1 million | ↑ 9.6% |
| Digital Audio Group Revenue | $327.1 million | $277.3 million | ↑ 18.0% |
| Multiplatform Group Revenue | $493.5 million | $473.0 million | ↑ 4.3% |
| Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA | $93 million | $105 million | ↓ 11.4% |
What They Said: “We are announcing a new savings initiative that will generate an additional $50 million of annualized savings, in addition to our previously announced $100 million of in-year 2026 savings, as well as now paying minimal cash taxes in 2026, which we expect will have a $150 to $200 million impact over the next 3 years. And today we are reaffirming our Full Year Adjusted EBITDA guide of $800 million and our Free Cash Flow guide of $200 million.” -iHeartMedia President/COO Rich Bressler
What It Means: You can see why podcasting is so important to iHeartMedia. Of the $884 million it earned during the window, 16% of its overall revenue comes from the space. The figures also highlight the changing habits in consumption, as Digital Audio Group revenue is inching closer and closer to that of the Multiplatform group, which houses the company’s radio properties.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
