IHRT
Communication ServicesiHeartMedia, Inc. · Broadcasting · $570M
What is iHeartMedia, Inc.?
iHeartMedia is one of the largest audio media companies in the United States, operating broadcast radio stations, a major streaming app, and one of the world's leading podcast networks. The company reaches audiences across traditional radio, digital platforms, and live events.
iHeartMedia generates revenue through three main segments. The Multiplatform Group runs hundreds of AM and FM broadcast radio stations alongside live and virtual events and the Premiere Networks syndication business. The Digital Audio Group operates the iHeartRadio app, podcasting properties, digital newsletters, and streaming services. The Audio and Media Services Group handles media representation and provides broadcast software and real-time audio recognition technology to thousands of radio and television stations worldwide.
iHeartMedia in its current corporate form was established in 2019 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
- Broadcast radio network spanning AM and FM stations nationwide
- iHeartRadio streaming app for live radio, podcasts, and custom stations
- Premiere Networks syndicated radio programming and distribution
- Podcast production, hosting, and advertising across major shows
- Broadcast automation and media services software for stations
Is IHRT a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates IHRT as Poor overall, placing it in the lowest tier of our 0-100 composite framework.
Among the five pillars, Valuation comes in at a Neutral reading — the one area where the stock does not register an outright weak signal. This suggests the market may already be pricing in many of the company's challenges.
Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk all carry Weak labels, reflecting structural headwinds in broadcast radio, a heavy debt load, and limited competitive insulation against digital audio rivals.
Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to understand exactly where iHeartMedia stands relative to sector peers. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does IHRT pay dividends?
No — iHeartMedia, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
iHeartMedia does not currently pay a dividend. Given the company's significant debt obligations and ongoing efforts to manage its balance sheet, capital is not being returned to shareholders through distributions at this time. Investors seeking income from Communication Services holdings may need to look elsewhere in the sector.
When does IHRT report earnings?
iHeartMedia reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
The company has faced persistent revenue pressure as advertising budgets shift away from traditional broadcast radio toward digital channels. Management continues to emphasize podcast growth and digital audio as areas intended to offset declines in legacy broadcast revenue.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit iHeartMedia's investor relations page directly.
IHRT Price History
-82.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in iHeartMedia, Inc.?
Based on iHeartMedia, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
IHRT Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth and Risk pillars both register Weak, pointing to a challenging fundamental trajectory. Broadcast radio faces secular audience decline, and the company carries a debt structure that limits financial flexibility. The Digital Audio Group's podcast and streaming assets represent the clearest path to stabilization, but the pace of that transition relative to legacy revenue erosion remains the central question for the business.
Growth drivers
- Podcast network expansion and advertiser demand for audio content
- iHeartRadio digital platform growth capturing streaming listeners
- Live and virtual events providing incremental revenue diversification
Key risks
- Heavy debt burden constraining strategic and operational flexibility
- Secular decline in broadcast radio audiences and ad spending
- Intense competition from streaming platforms and digital audio alternatives
IHRT vs Peers
iHeartMedia operates in a competitive media landscape alongside other broadcast-focused companies navigating the shift to digital.
Gray Media focuses on local television broadcasting rather than audio, giving it exposure to a different advertising market and audience base than iHeartMedia's radio-centric model.
E.W. Scripps operates local TV stations and national cable networks, competing for local advertising dollars but through a video-first strategy rather than audio.
Newsmax is a cable and digital news network, competing in the broader media attention economy but with a news-focused content model distinct from iHeartMedia's audio entertainment approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does iHeartMedia do?
iHeartMedia operates broadcast radio stations, the iHeartRadio streaming app, one of the largest podcast networks in the world, and a media services business that supplies software and technology to thousands of radio and television stations. The company reaches audiences through on-air, digital, and live event channels.
Does IHRT pay dividends?
IHRT does not currently pay a dividend. The company's capital priorities are focused on managing its debt obligations rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Investors looking for dividend income in the Communication Services sector should explore other options.
When does IHRT report earnings?
iHeartMedia reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US public company practice. For exact dates and the most current guidance, check iHeartMedia's investor relations page, as specific schedules can shift.
Is IHRT a good stock to buy?
UQS Score assigns IHRT a Poor overall rating, with Weak readings across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars. Only Valuation registers as Neutral. That profile reflects meaningful structural and financial challenges. Pro members can access the complete pillar breakdown to make a more informed assessment.
Is IHRT overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for IHRT comes in at Neutral, suggesting the market's current pricing is neither clearly stretched nor deeply discounted relative to the company's fundamentals. Given the Weak readings across other pillars, a Neutral valuation does not necessarily indicate an attractive entry point.
How does IHRT compare to its competitors?
iHeartMedia's closest publicly traded peers include Gray Media and E.W. Scripps, both of which focus on television broadcasting rather than audio. Newsmax competes in the broader media landscape through cable news. iHeartMedia is distinctive in its scale across broadcast radio and podcasting, though its debt load is a notable differentiator — in a challenging direction.
What is IHRT's market cap bracket?
IHRT is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a market capitalization range that typically carries higher volatility and less analyst coverage than large- or mega-cap peers in the Communication Services sector.
Who founded iHeartMedia?
iHeartMedia in its current form emerged in 2019 following the restructuring of iHeartCommunications. The company's radio broadcasting roots trace back decades earlier through predecessor entities. Detailed corporate history is available through iHeartMedia's official communications and public filings.
Is IHRT a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS framework rates IHRT as Poor. Weak signals across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars suggest the business faces durable headwinds rather than temporary setbacks. Long-term investors typically look for stronger moat and quality readings as indicators of compounding potential.
What is the main competitive advantage of iHeartMedia?
iHeartMedia's primary competitive asset is its scale — owning hundreds of radio stations, running one of the most-downloaded audio apps, and hosting a top-tier podcast network gives it broad reach for advertisers. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting how digital disruption has eroded the durability of broadcast radio's traditional barriers.
What sector does IHRT belong to?
iHeartMedia is classified in the Communication Services sector. This sector includes a wide range of media, entertainment, and telecommunications companies. Within that universe, iHeartMedia sits in the audio media and broadcasting sub-segment, competing for advertising dollars alongside digital streaming and social media platforms.
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Pro Analysis
IHRT — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2026 | 27.1 | 20.2 | 18.0 | 39.6 | 32.8 | 31.3 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 27.1 | 33.4 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 29.4 | -2.2 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 29.3 | 33.4 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 43.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 29.5 | 33.5 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 44.9 | +3.2 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 26.3 | 33.5 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 24.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 15, 2026 | 26.4 | 33.6 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 24.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 26.4 | 33.7 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 24.0 | -0.3 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 26.7 | 33.9 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 26.0 | -1.8 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | 28.5 | 33.9 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 38.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 28.6 | 34.0 | 18.0 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 38.0 | -0.1 |
IHRT — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 20.2/100 (25%)iHeartMedia, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 39.6/100 (20%)iHeartMedia, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 32.8/100 (15%)iHeartMedia, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 35.4/100 (15%)iHeartMedia, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 18/100 (25%)iHeartMedia, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for IHRT.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the IHRT UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for iHeartMedia, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses iHeartMedia, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether iHeartMedia, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.