iHeartMedia is betting that a major shift in how advertisers buy radio will deliver a significant revenue boost in 2027. With its AudioGraph programmatic platform now rolling out, the company expects to generate approximately $100 million in incremental broadcast radio revenue next year, opening the door to advertising budgets that have historically been directed toward digital media. The projection is part of a broader programmatic expansion that iHeartMedia expects will dou

Citing several advertising effectiveness studies, a new guide to ad success shares the keys to revenue and profit growth. “Advertising rarely works through heavy persuasion or manipulation,” Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard says in Westwood One’s blog. “Decades of consumer data show it works as a ‘weak force.’ Advertising is a gentle nudge that builds brand awareness and reinforces existing habits, rather than a brute force c

Podcast listening gained momentum in October, with most publishers and networks measured by Podtrac reporting increases in both audience and downloads as the industry moved deeper into the fall. iHeartMedia strengthened its position atop the U.S. rankings, while several publishers posted double-digit growth and “Crime Junkie” extended its run as America’s most-listened-to podcast. Month-over-month growth was positive for most participants in both its U.S. and Global Multi-Cha

Americans’ confidence in local news organizations continues to exceed their trust in national news outlets, with both categories recording gains over the past year, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. The survey, conducted Sept. 14-20 among 5,193 U.S. adults, found that 75% of Americans have at least some trust in information from local news organizations vs. 62% who expressed similar confidence in national news organizations. Trust in local news increased five per

The progressive podcast “I’ve Had It” is facing backlash and the loss of advertisers after a clip of hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan caught fire online. The clip shows the hosts laughing at a social media post joking about the murder of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk, prompting several brands to distance themselves from the show. At least nine companies have withdrawn their advertising support, according to Business Insider, including Chewy,

The Record, Nielsen’s quarterly report on audio listening, activity shows that during Q3 2026, U.S. consumers spent 83% of daily ad-supported audio time with radio and podcasts, vs. just 15% with streaming music services. The report, which includes data from both Nielsen and Edison Research, also shows daily audio consumption in the U.S. during 2026’s third quarter averaged nearly four hours (3 hours and 55 minutes) of daily listening. Radio’s monthly reach of adults stood at

Radio ranks second only to social media in advertising return on investment, according to Nielsen research, despite marketers placing the medium last among 10 channels when asked about perceived effectiveness. The findings highlight a striking disconnect between how advertisers view radio and how the medium actually performs, suggesting its advertising value may be underestimated. iHeartMedia highlights the findings, citing Nielsen’s Global Compass benchmarks and its study, “

The final weeks of the 119th Congress are set to begin as lawmakers return to Washington after a monumental week in politics. It will be the most congressional lame ducks since the Watergate era, with Republicans racing to get as much as they can accomplished while they are still in control. For radio, the biggest goal remains passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R.979/S. 315). The bill was overwhelmingly approved in the House before the election, and the odds of

United Airlines passengers can now pick up any podcast where they left off at home, even at 35,000 feet. Spotify is rolling out the ability for travelers to log into their personal accounts directly on United’s seatback entertainment screens, giving them access to their favorite podcasts, including video episodes, along with personalized recommendations, music and audiobooks. The upgrade marks the next phase of a partnership announced last year, when United became the first a

Small businesses are spending more money to attract customers, but their confidence in their ability to turn those investments into sales is sinking. New research from Borrell Associates finds that advertisers are increasingly frustrated with their lead-generation efforts, even as they expand their marketing budgets and use more advertising channels. One beneficiary of that broader approach is radio, which is gaining ground among small businesses looking to acquire new custom