MediaCo Expands Multicultural Media Push As Q1 Revenue Climbs.

MediaCo reported higher first-quarter revenue as growth in its digital advertising business and expanded multicultural media portfolio helped offset continued losses and expanding liquidity pressures.

The New York-based broadcaster and digital media company posted Q1 revenue of $31.4 million, up 12% from $28 million a year earlier, according to the company’s quarterly report.

MediaCo, whose brands include urban contemporary “Hot 97” WQHT-FM, urban AC WBLS-FM (107.5), Spanish AC “Luna 107.5” WBLS-HD2, regional Mexican “La Buena” WQHT-HD2, and EstrellaTV’s WMBC-TV, reported a net loss of $9.4 million vs. a loss of about $8.8 million a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA fell sharply to roughly $200,000 from $1.4 million in the same quarter last year, as operating expenses rose faster than revenue growth. Total operating expenses climbed 19% on a year-over-year basis, reflecting higher programming, selling and administrative costs tied to the company’s ongoing expansion efforts and integration of acquired media assets.

The company’s results continue to reflect the transformation that followed its 2024 acquisition of Estrella Media’s operating assets, which significantly expanded MediaCo’s Spanish-language TV, radio and digital footprint. MediaCo has increasingly emphasized digital advertising and cross-platform distribution as central parts of its growth strategy.

Digital revenue has become a growing share of MediaCo’s advertising mix in recent quarters. In its most recent annual earnings release, the company said digital revenue represented 42.8% of advertising sales during 2025 and more than half of fourth-quarter advertising revenue.

MediaCo previously highlighted audience growth and operational expansion as major drivers entering 2026. In March, CEO Albert Rodriguez said the company had achieved “substantial gains across every facet of our plan” during its first full year operating the Estrella assets under the MediaCo umbrella.

Despite the top-line growth, investors remain focused on MediaCo’s balance sheet and liquidity position. The company ended the quarter with approximately $5.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, while reporting a working capital deficit of $54.5 million.

Analysts and market observers have noted ongoing concerns about cash burn and leverage as the company works to scale its operations. MediaCo’s annual report for 2025 showed revenue growth of nearly 40% to $133.3 million, but the company also recorded a full-year net loss of $66.2 million, driven in part by impairment charges and higher interest expense.