iHeartMedia Q2 Earnings Call Highlights

iHeartMedia Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Written by MarketBeat August 10, 2026

Key Points iHeartMedia exceeded its Q2 outlook: Revenue rose 4.7% year over year to $977 million, adjusted EBITDA reached $152 million, and free cash flow improved to $46 million from negative $13 million a year earlier. Digital audio and podcasting drove growth: Digital Audio Group revenue increased 12.4%, while podcasting revenue climbed 20.7% to $162 million. The company is expanding video podcast distribution through partnerships with Netflix, Hulu and other platforms. Broadcast operations remained pressured, with Multiplatform Group revenue down 1.6% and adjusted EBITDA falling to $59 million amid macroeconomic uncertainty and non-cash marketing expenses. Management maintained its full-year targets of $800 million in adjusted EBITDA and $200 million in free cash flow, supported by expected political advertising strength.

i HeartMedia NASDAQ: IHRT reported second-quarter revenue growth that exceeded its prior outlook, led by continued expansion in digital audio and podcasting, while its broadcast-focused Multiplatform Group remained under pressure from macroeconomic uncertainty and non-cash marketing expenses. Consolidated revenue totaled $977 million in the second quarter, up 4.7% from a year earlier and above the company’s guidance for low-single-digit growth. Excluding political advertising, revenue increased 3.5%. Adjusted EBITDA was $152 million, slightly above the midpoint of iHeartMedia’s $140 million to $160 million guidance range, while free cash flow improved to $46 million from negative $13 million in the prior-year quarter.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Pittman said the company’s digital investments continued to reshape its earnings mix. For the sixth consecutive quarter, adjusted EBITDA from the Digital Audio Group exceeded that of the Multiplatform Group, which includes broadcast radio networks and events. Digital audio and podcasting lead growth The Digital Audio Group generated $364 million in second-quarter revenue, up 12.4% year over year and ahead of management’s approximately 10% growth forecast. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased 14.5% to $123 million, producing a 33.8% margin. Management reiterated its expectation for full-year Digital Audio Group EBITDA margins in the mid-30% range. Podcasting revenue rose 20.7% to $162 million, compared with $134 million a year earlier. Pittman said approximately half of podcasting revenue at the end of the quarter was generated through iHeartMedia’s local-market sales force. The company also highlighted its efforts to expand video podcast distribution. Pittman said iHeartMedia is producing video versions of many podcasts for its iHeartRadio service and selected podcast platforms, while also expanding distribution to streaming video services. He said the company has expanded its Netflix relationship to include podcasts from Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, Lele Pons and Martha Stewart. Netflix is also making The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne its only live daily show, according to Pittman. iHeartMedia also announced that six titles would be brought to Disney’s Hulu service, including video episodes of Hey Jonas! and Pod Meets World . Digital Audio Group revenue excluding podcasting increased 6.6% to $202 million. In response to an analyst question, Pittman said video podcasting is additive to the core audio business, helping expand audiences and creating potential for premium video advertising pricing while requiring lower production costs than traditional television production.

The Multiplatform Group recorded revenue of $...