iHeartMedia

The event will celebrate the most influential podcasters of 2024 across 29 categories including the coveted fan-voted Podcast of the Year award

Nominees for Podcast of the Year include “Normal Gossip,” “Three,” “Giggly Squad,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” “Hysterical,” “The Telepathy Tapes,” “Who Killed JFK?,” “Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD” and “The Good Whale”

Sarah Spain, Dan Taberski and Daniel Alarcón to be honored with Icon Awards

The event will also broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, digitally through the iHeartRadio app and video stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel

NEW YORK AND AUSTIN – January 7, 2025 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the nominees for The iHeartPodcast Awards, in partnership with South by Southwest® (SXSW®). The annual event will take place live on March 10, 2025 at 7p.m. CT at an expanded venue, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, and will honor 2024’s most innovative and influential voices and creators in podcasting. In addition to the in-person show, the ceremony will also be live-broadcasted on select iHeartMedia Radio Stations, on the iHeartRadio app and on iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel.

These celebrated nominees represent podcasts and creators across all genres, distributors and platforms with categories including comedy, crime, news, pop culture, sports, food, business and more. Winners in each category will be determined by a panel of blue-ribbon podcast industry leaders, creatives and visionaries. Each year, podcast fans help decide the winner of the coveted Podcast of the Year award by voting online at iHeartPodcastAwards.com. This year’s nominees include “Normal Gossip,” “Three,” “Giggly Squad,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” “Hysterical,” “The Telepathy Tapes,” “Who Killed JFK?,” “Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD” and “The Good Whale.” Fan voting will begin today, January 7 and run through February 16.

The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards will also present three Icon Awards: Audible Audio Pioneer Award, Social Impact Award and Innovator Award – which will pay tribute to the creators, organizations and podcasts that have made groundbreaking industry contributions. Sarah Spain, Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist and host of “Good Game,” will be honored as the 2025 Social Impact Award for her pivotal role in championing equity in sports coverage, equal pay for female athletes and better investment in women’s sports infrastructure. Dan Taberski will be honored with the 2025 Audible Audio Pioneer Award for his significant influence in the podcasting landscape through his storytelling and investigative journalism, including his latest podcast “Hysterical” (nominated for Podcast of the Year and more) and his previous work with “Missing Richard Simmons” and “Surviving Y2K,” among others. The 2025 Innovator Award will honor Daniel Alarcón, a Peruvian-American journalist and novelist, for his work on “The Good Whale” (nominated for Podcast of the Year), which stands out as an innovative and captivating approach to storytelling within the podcasting realm as it revisits the life of Keiko, the orca who gained fame as the star of the 1990s film “Free Willy.”

“Following our in-person return to SXSW last year, we’re thrilled to be bringing the iHeartPodcast Awards to an even bigger stage in 2025,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group. “Podcasting is growing in both scale and influence every year, and SXSW brings a level of innovative spirit and excitement that makes it the perfect setting to celebrate the very best of our industry, while also looking towards the future.”

With its largest production and venue yet, the iHeartPodcast Awards are a testament to the rising power of podcasting and its prominence in today’s media. The event will also be open to select SXSW badge holders for the first time ever, granting even more access for attendees to honor those who are shaping the industry.

"We're thrilled to once again partner with iHeartMedia for the return of the Podcast Awards, amplifying its impact within an even larger footprint at SXSW," said Peter Lewis, SXSW Chief Partnerships Officer. "The growth of this event highlights our shared mission to celebrate the transformative impact of podcasting, starting with the creators and distributors who bring these stories to life."

Previous iHeartPodcast Awards shows have featured an array of celebrity presenters and guests including Charlamagne tha God, Will Ferrell, Martha Stewart, Jay Shetty, Molly Sims, Wilmer Valderrama, Zachary Levi, Danielle Robay and Simone Boyce, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray, Kyle MacLachlan, Lilly Singh, Paul Scheer and many more. Some of the biggest names in the industry were honored last year, with Podcast of the Year Award going to “New Heights”, “Crime Junkie” receiving the Best Crime Award and “How I Built This” receiving Best Business & Finance. See the full list of 2024 winners, here.

2025 iHeartPodcast Award Nominees Include:

Podcast of the Year:

• Normal Gossip
• Three
• Giggly Squad
• Call Her Daddy
• Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
• Hysterical
• The Telepathy Tapes
• Who Killed JFK?
• Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
• The Good Whale

Best Business & Finance:

• Planet Money
• How to Money
• Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF
• Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
• The Ramsey Show

Best Comedy:

• The Nikki Glaser Podcast
• Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
• Normal Gossip
• The Joe Rogan Experience
• Call Her Daddy

Best Crime:

• Three
• Betrayal
• Up and Vanished
• CounterClock
• Something Was Wrong

Best Pop Culture:

• Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
• The World's First Podcast with Erin & Sara Foster
• Still Processing
• Keep It!
• Pop Culture Happy Hour

Best Food:

• Gastropod
• Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
• Be My Guest with Ina Garten
• The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
• The Sporkful

Best Wellness & Fitness:

• Huberman Lab
• The Mel Robbins Podcast
• 10% Happier with Dan Harris
• A Slight Change of Plans
• We Can Do Hard Things

Best History

• The Rest is History
• Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
• Throughline
• American History Tellers
• You're Wrong About

Best Kids & Family:

• Good Inside with Dr. Becky
• Koala Moon - Kids Bedtime Stories & Meditations
• Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
• Story Pirates
• Wow in the World

Best Music:

• Song Exploder
• Questlove Supreme
• Popcast
• The Wonder of Stevie
• The Joe Budden Podcast

Best News:

• The Journal.
• The Daily
• Up First from NPR
• Pivot
• Today, Explained

Best Fiction:

• Hello From The Magic Tavern
• Welcome to Night Vale
• Impact Winter
• The Magnus Archives
• Midnight Burger

Best Sports:

• New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
• The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
• The Bill Simmons Podcast
• All The Smoke

Best Science:

• Hidden Brain
• StarTalk Radio
• Stuff To Blow Your Mind
• Ologies with Alie Ward
• Science Vs

Best Technology:

• All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
• Hard Fork
• Better Offline
• Darknet Diaries
• Ted Radio Hour

Best Ad Read:

• Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
• Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
• My Brother, My Brother and Me
• SmartLess
• Office Ladies

Best Overall Host:

• Alex Cooper (Call Her Daddy)
• Jamie Loftus (Sixteenth Minute (of Fame))
• Sabrina Tavernise (The Daily)
• Mel Robbins (The Mel Robbins Podcast)
• Dan Taberski (Hysterical)

Best Overall Ensemble:

• We Can Do Hard Things
• My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
• Handsome
• Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
• The Breakfast Club

Best Political:

• Native Land Pod
• The NPR Politics Podcast
• Pod Save America
• The Megyn Kelly Show
• Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

Best TV & Film:

• Films To Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein
• Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
• How Did This Get Made?
• The Rewatchables
• Blank Check with Griffin & David

Best Spanish Language:

• Radio Ambulante
• Duolingo Spanish Podcast
• Leyenda Legendarias
• Mija Podcast
• Escuela Secreta

Best Advice/Inspirational:

• Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• On Purpose with Jay Shetty
• The Mel Robbins Podcast
• Life Kit
• Savage Lovecast

Best Beauty & Fashion:

• Naked Beauty
• The goop Podcast
• Glowing Up
• Breaking Beauty Podcast
• Lipstick on the Rim

Best Travel:

• Travel with Rick Steves
• The Atlas Obscura Podcast
• Zero To Travel Podcast
• Women Who Travel
• JUMP with Traveling Jackie

Best Green:

• Unf*cking the Future
• Environmental Insights: Conversations on policy and practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program
• Green Dreamer: Seeding change towards collective healing, sustainability, regeneration
• Threshold
• TED Climate

Best Spirituality & Religion:

• Elevation with Steven Furtick
• Oprah's Super Soul
• WHOA That's Good Podcast
• Bible in a Year with Jack Graham
• Transformation Church

Best Branded Podcast:

• Nerdwallet's Smart Money Podcast
• Into the Mix (Ben and Jerry's)
• Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast (Novartis)
• You Can't Make This Up (Netflix)
• Mind The Business: Small Business Success Stories (Intuit Quickbooks)

Best Emerging:

• Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce
• So True with Caleb Hearon
• Hysterical
• Wild Card with Rachel Martin
• Shell Game

Best International:

• The Business of Doing Business with Dwayne Kerrigan - Canada
• Mamamia Out Loud - Australia
• Between Two Beers Podcast - New Zealand
• The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett - United Kingdom
• Las Alucines - Mexico

The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of nationally recognized events including the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Concert Tour, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartCountry Festival and iHeartRadio ALTer Ego.

Executive producers for the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards are John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia. More information including guest hosts, celebrity appearances and more will be announced in the coming months.

Audible is a proud sponsor of the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards. For more information about the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards, visit here.

About SXSW

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7–15 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.

Dee Dee Faison Promoted to Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships and Alliances

NEW YORK – January 6, 2025 — iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America, announced today that Nicky Sparrow has been elevated to Executive Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Dee Dee Faison has been elevated to Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships and Alliances effective immediately. Sparrow and Faison will report to Tony Coles, President of Multicultural Business and Development.

In her new role, Sparrow will continue to focus on driving results for advertising partners by leveraging iHeartMedia’s unparalleled assets including broadcast radio, podcast, digital, data and events platforms as well as The Black Effect Podcast Network and My Cultura Podcast Network serving multicultural audiences across the country.

In her new position as Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships and Alliances, Faison will play a pivotal role in building and driving best-in-class comprehensive partner programs, including the development and execution strategy to further expand and scale iHeartMedia’s strategic multicultural initiatives.

“We’re excited to officially elevate Nicky and Dee Dee to our executive team,” said Coles. “These talented leaders bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will be instrumental in driving our mission forward of connecting our clients and partners with iHeartMedia’s multicultural audiences.” 

Sparrow, a seasoned media industry leader, has built an impressive 25-year career at iHeartMedia, excelling in high-level management and sales roles across major markets. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Multicultural Sales. Committed to giving back, Sparrow serves on the board of directors for the Radio Advertising Bureau, Florida Association of Broadcasting, The First Tee of North Florida and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In recognition of her philanthropic efforts, she was named St. Jude’s 2024 Partner of the Year.

Dee Dee Faison, a 24-year veteran of the media and entertainment industry, joined iHeartMedia in 2020 as the Director of Client Success after leading event strategy and marketing for WBLS in New York. Her career includes roles at Sony Music and Initiative Media, as well as work with high-profile clients such as the Food and Drug Administration, Toyota, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo. Faison is a graduate of Howard University.

In his new role, Foxx will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BIN: Black Information Network’s newsroom and its team of journalists

CHICAGO – January 6, 2025 — BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news network dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news with a Black voice and perspective, today announced Terry Foxx will join as Vice President of News and Content effective immediately.

In his new role, Foxx will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BIN: Black Information Network’s newsroom and its team of journalists, with a focus on development of news content and original programming.

“I am excited to have Terry join BIN: Black Information Network,” said Tony Coles, President, BIN: Black Information Network. “In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, the role of news in shaping public discourse has never been more important. We’re confident his contributions will strengthen our position as a leader in delivering inclusive and impactful news and content to our audiences.”

Prior to his new role with BIN, Foxx served as Regional Director of Talk Programming for iHeartMedia Austin/San Antonio. His career includes roles at KUT-FM, University of Texas and major stations such as WPLJ-FM New York, B96 Chicago, KKDA-FM Dallas, and WZGC-FM Atlanta. Foxx has earned numerous accolades for his programming expertise and on-air talent, including recognition as one of Radio Ink’s Top African American Leaders in 2024.

“I am thrilled to contribute to the growth and success of BIN: Black Information Network,” said Foxx. “BIN is a vital platform for amplifying diverse voices and delivering trusted, relevant news to our communities. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and further strengthen the connection between BIN and the audiences we serve.”

BIN reaches over 19 million monthly listeners and is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across America, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.

About BIN: Black Information Network
BIN: Black Information Network is the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. BIN is enabled by the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia and the support of its Founding Partners: Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO and Lowe’s. BIN is focused on service to the Black community to help foster communication, accountability and deeper understanding.

Veteran True-Crime Host and Legal Expert Revisit the Controversial Murder Case of an 11-Year-Old Girl in Southern Illinois

New Episodes Starting Jan 2 — Listen Now HERE

WHAT: iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, announces the launch of “Murder on Songbird Road.” The gripping new iHeartPodcast revisits the shocking 2020 stabbing death of 11-year-old Jade Marie Beasley in Southern Illinois and the controversial conviction of her father’s fiancée for the crime. In this series, veteran true-crime host Lauren Bright Pacheco teams up with criminal defense attorney Bob Motta to investigate whether the case — one that tore apart a rural community, pitted families against one another while raising ongoing questions about corruption and due process — was truly solved, or if an innocent woman remains wrongfully convicted.  Murder on Songbird Road sheds light on all aspects of this polarizing case, uncovering issues with the investigation and trial, exposing unexplored leads and seeking answers in a story that continues to haunt the Southern Illinois region.

WHO: Lauren Bright Pacheco is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and host celebrated for her work in true-crime podcasting. She has co-hosted, narrated, and produced acclaimed series such as Happy Face, Murder in Oregon, Murder in Illinois, Murder in Miami, and ongoing seasons of Lava for Good’s long-running Wrongful Conviction series. Pacheco's work explores the ripple effects of violent crimes while raising awareness for victims and advocating for a fairer legal system. With a background in news, radio, and television, she focuses on creating purposeful content that emphasizes empathy, human connection, and social justice.

Bob Motta is an accomplished criminal defense trial attorney of 20 plus years in the Chicagoland area. He graduated from Chicago-Kent School of Law, where he met his wife and law partner Alison. In 2021, Bob made the difficult choice to leave the active practice of law in order to start his popular and critically acclaimed podcast Defense Diaries. Defense Diaries is a deep dive, long form, serialized podcast which gives its listeners a “behind the curtain” perspective of the practice of law, in particular trial work.  In 2021, Bob partnered up with his wife Alison and created The Docket, which the couple co-hosts and dives into all current cases and breaking news in the true crime world.

WHEN: The first episode launches January 2, 2025, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly on Thursday.  Listen HERE now.

WHERE: “Murder on Songbird Road” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

Listen to the official trailer now HERE

Tune into the premiere episode on January 13, 2025

NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES – December 16, 2024 – iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today unveiled its latest weekly series, “Are You A Charlotte?,” hosted by the incomparable Kristin Davis. This exciting new podcast will dive into one of the most iconic TV series “Sex and the City” and promises to captivate listeners with Davis’s signature charm and insight. Listeners can hear the official trailer now, and the premiere episode will debut on January 13, 2025.

Kristin Davis is best known for her unforgettable portrayal of the ever-hopeful Charlotte York in the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series “Sex and the City.” For six stylish seasons, Davis brought so many heartfelt moments to the TV series and then reprised her role in two successful feature films, Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2. Most recently, she returned to her beloved character in the Max series “And Just Like That…,” proving that Charlotte’s elegance and optimism continue to resonate with audiences everywhere.

More About “Are You A Charlotte?” Podcast:

Actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in “Sex and the City.” As fans watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. Many saw themselves in the characters as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships.

Now, Davis wants to connect with the fans and share the untold behind-the-scenes stories. Together with her special guests, listeners will dive into conversations that may begin with “Sex and the City,” but will evolve into many of its themes that are still so relevant today.

"Are You A Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching a beloved show, it will bring the past and the present together as Davis and friends talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism. 

Follow @areyouacharlottepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for episode clips and updates. 

“Are You A Charlotte?” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

The Superstar Duo Bring the “SWEAT Tour” to Virtual Reality Exclusively on Meta Quest, Starting December 27, 2024

New York, NY – December 12, 2024 – iHeartMedia and Meta, produced alongside OBB Media, today announced “Charli xcx & Troye Sivan Present SWEAT in VR,” bringing the superstar duo’s highly-popular “SWEAT Tour” to virtual reality exclusively on Meta Quest devices starting December 27, 2024 at 5PM PT.

Filmed over one night at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles, the immersive streaming event brings one of this year’s most sought-after concerts to fans for free in Meta Horizon Worlds Music Valley, an eclectic musical destination that offers 180-degree views of concerts from today’s top artists. Fans can enjoy a closer look at the high-energy show in which Charli xcx and Troye Sivan take turns on stage singing fan-favorite songs including their latest collab “Talk talk featuring troye sivan” from Charli’s recently released ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’.

This one-of-a-kind “SWEAT Tour” experience will be available for free in 3D immersive video on Meta Quest devices, starting at just $299.99 for the new Meta Quest 3S (128GB).

“Partnering with Charli xcx and Troye Sivan and with Meta gives us a unique opportunity to offer our millions of listeners the chance to experience two of the most talented artists in music performing on the most exciting new visual platform today,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. 

The 22-date nationwide tour wrapped up on October 23, 2024 and showcased both artists at their creative peak, featuring viral hits such as ‘360’, ‘Von dutch’ and ‘Girl, so confusing’ from Charli xcx’s zeitgeist capturing album ‘BRAT’. Troye Sivan equally lit up the crowd with hits like ‘My My My’, ‘Bloom’, ‘Youth’ and ‘Rush’.”

“The SWEAT Tour is the latest in a long lineup of incredible performances that we’ve brought to Music Valley,” says Sarah Malkin, Director of Metaverse Entertainment at Meta. “Connecting fans to their favorite artists in a totally unique way through virtual reality extends the joy and excitement of concerts to even more people – and we couldn't be more thrilled to partner with iHeart, Charli xcx and Troye Sivan to do that with this show.”

After the show, fans can catch free concerts from more artists in Music Valley, keep the party going on Just Dance, stream their favorite YouTube channels with friends or jump into one of thousands of app experiences available in the Meta Horizon Store.

“Performing with Troye every night on the SWEAT tour was truly iconic and I’m so excited for fans to now be able to experience it at home,” said Charli xcx.

"It's been a dream to share the stage with Charli every night of the SWEAT Tour. Our fans brought the energy up in every arena, and I can't wait for them to have an elevated experience thanks to OBB, iHeart, and Meta," said Troye Sivan. “Getting to offer our fans another chance to experience the show in VR is incredible."

“Charli xcx, Troye Sivan and their teams have built something electric and singular with this show,” said Michael D. Ratner, Founder & CEO of OBB Media. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Meta and iHeartMedia to share this experience with fans around the world."

“Charli xcx & Troye Sivan Present SWEAT in VR" is executive produced by iHeartMedia’s John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises and Bart Peters, Senior Vice President, Production & Development; as well as Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Anthony Anchelowitz, Simone Spira, and Kfir Goldberg for OBB Pictures, the Film & TV division of OBB Media; with Glenn Stickley co-executive producing for OBB Media.

About OBB Media:

OBB Media is the award-winning multimedia production company and vertically integrated content studio, founded by entrepreneur and filmmaker Michael D. Ratner. OBB Media is the parent company to six distinct subsidiaries: OBB Pictures, the film, television, and digital arm; OBB Studios, the company’s facilities and physical production arm; OBB Sound, the podcast and audio division; OBB Cares, the social impact division; OBB Ventures, the investment arm; as well as sister company Bolded, the brand content strategy firm. OBB Media, led by Ratner, co-founder Scott Ratner, and a talented team of storytellers, is best known for amassing a global audience of billions and leading how a new generation of viewers consumes content and interacts with brands. The company also has a proven track record of forging unique partnerships with talent that transform the way they use content to launch and grow their businesses. OBB Media HQ is located in West Hollywood, CA and OBB Studios, the 15,000+ square foot state of the art production and event facility is in the heart of Hollywood, CA. For more information, visit the company website at www.obbmedia.com.

 

Delivers industry-first features and a fresh, tailored user experience based directly on listener feedback

NEW YORK – December 12, 2024 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 audio company in America by reach, today announced the debut of its next-generation iHeartRadio app, redesigned with industry-first mobile features and access to exclusive content. The new app interface — iHeartRadio’s most significant product update since its initial launch in 2011 — embraces the ease and simplicity that listeners want and have come to expect with broadcast radio in the car -- bridging the gap between the traditional car radio experience and mobile streaming. Drawing from extensive user research and feedback, the redesigned iHeartRadio app reflects iHeartMedia’s commitment to delivering a seamless and simplified radio listening experience tailored to the express needs of a modern audience using all the technology tools available today.

iHeart reaches more consumers in America than any other media, and that day-to-day relationship with hundreds of millions of listeners in the U.S. provides the unique insights and feedback used in developing this next-generation app experience.

“Our listeners have made it clear that they want a streaming audio platform that’s intuitive and familiar, reflecting the simplicity of the car radio while embracing the full capabilities of streaming technology,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “The redesigned iHeartRadio app does just that, bringing together the best features of the car radio and the mobile app. We are excited to offer this new and improved iHeartRadio app just in time for Christmas – it’s our special gift to our listeners.”

The updated iHeartRadio app design combines all the features of the car radio that listeners know and love with innovative digital technology enhancements, including:

1. Presets: In an audio-industry first and drawing inspiration directly from the car dashboard, custom presets allow listeners to save up to 15 of their favorite radio stations, playlists, podcasts and artist radio stations — the ones they love listening to the most and come back to most often. The presets will be available throughout the app.
2. Scan Button: In another audio-industry first, listeners can discover new stations with scan, and seamlessly sample nationwide radio stations, or filter by city or genre. It’s a brand-new way for app users to navigate iHeartRadio’s unparalleled broadcast radio dial, ensuring their new favorite stations are never out of reach – and they can discover new ones that they’ll love.
3. Live Radio Dial: This new app feature enables listeners to easily explore the best live stations across the country. This experience mimics the same car radio experience that listeners know and love, but has the added benefit of being organized by genre and location for ease of discovery.
4. What’s Trending Rankers: Users will have access to an innovative discovery feature that allows them to see what’s trending at that moment among other listeners across Top Podcasts, Top Playlists and Top Artist Radio stations, as well as features that are trending on iHeartRadio.
5. Lyrics: The most requested new listener feature, iHeart is now the only digital radio app to offer lyrics for the song users are listening to on live radio. Users will also be able to follow lyrics karaoke style for tracks on artist radio and playlists.

In addition to these new features, exclusive editorial content produced by iHeartMedia stations across the country is now accessible from inside the iHeartRadio app. It’s the ultimate artist fan hub with the latest news about the biggest artists, all of iHeartRadio’s exclusive in-studio interviews and the one-tap, enter-to-win contests that iHeart is so famous for that fans can now easily explore inside the app while listening to their favorite music and podcasts.

“The new iHeartRadio app further underscores iHeartMedia’s mission to use the power of audio to build companionship and connection,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group. “This experience blends the familiarity of the car radio with digital innovation to enable users to easily find the stations, artists and podcasts they know and love, fostering the fun, spontaneous discovery and connection that comes with live car radio – all through their phones, anywhere they go.”

Initial rollout of the new iHeartRadio app begins today and will be available to all listeners on Android and iOS by December 25, just in time for Christmas. Download the iHeartRadio app today from the or Google Play to explore the next era of digital listening.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – November 22, 2024 – iHeartMedia recently celebrated new music and artists alike with special programming, including World Premiere debuts and live events. 

On November 22, iHeartMedia World Premiered new music from several artists, including Ariana Grande’s rendition of “Popular” from the “Wicked” soundtrack across all iHeartRadio CHR stations; Jack Harlow’s “Hello Miss Johnson” across all iHeartRadio Rhythm CHR and Hip Hop stations; and Three Days Grace’s “Mayday” across all iHeartRadio Rock stations and optional Alternative stations. 

iHeartRadio’s annual station flip to holiday music kicked off November 15 with more than 85 stations across the country broadcasting the season’s festive music from today’s biggest artists as well as Christmas classics from Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and more 24/7. 

Continuing the celebration of the holiday season, the “iHeartRadio Holiday Special” returns this year, broadcasting across iHeartMedia stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app on November 27 at 7 p.m. local time. Hosted by Mario Lopez, the event will feature interviews with Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson and more discussing their favorite holiday songs and traditions.

For the latest news, music fans can follow iHeartRadio on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit iHeartRadio.com

The event hosted by iHeartRadio Z100’s Crystal Rosas will broadcast across iHeartRadio stations nationwide on Dec. 20

NEW YORK – Dec. 11, 2024 – iHeartMedia and the Empire State Building today announced the “iHeartRadio Holiday Pop Up Party with Meghan Trainor” in celebration of the holiday season in New York City with a special event and music-to-light show at the landmark tower, whose iconic Observatory Experience was recently named the #1 attraction in the World in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The event hosted by iHeartRadio New York Z100’s Crystal Rosas will broadcast across iHeartRadio stations nationwide on Dec. 20.

The Holiday Pop Up Party and broadcast will feature GRAMMY Award-winning hitmaker Meghan Trainor’s flip of the famous switch to kick off a special show of lights atop the Empire State Building synchronized to her song “Jingle Bells.” The intimate event also features an interview with Z100’s Crystal Rosas and a fan Q&A, all on the 80th floor of the iconic tower in the heart of New York City. The 10-minute special will broadcast on iHeartRadio AC, Hot AC and CHR stations nationwide on Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. local time (6:50 p.m. ET in New York City) and on the iHeartChristmas Pop digital station at 9 p.m. ET.

Additionally, New York iHeartRadio stations Z100, 103.5 KTU and 106.7 Lite FM will play “Jingle Bells” synced to the light show atop the Empire State Building every night from Dec. 20- 25 at 7 p.m. ET.

“The holidays are my favorite time of the year and I’m so excited to be celebrating with iHeartRadio this season,” said Meghan Trainor. “Seeing the lights on one of the most iconic buildings in the world synced to my song “Jingle Bells” is the perfect way to ring in the holidays with my fans!"

The annual holiday music-to-light show kicks off the holiday events in NYC with thousands of LED lights atop the landmark tower, choreographed by world-renowned lighting designer Marc Brickman and his Tactical Manoeuvre team. Fans from outside the New York City area can watch the show live via EarthCam on ESB’s website, and a video of the entire show will be posted on the building’s YouTube channel upon its Dec. 20 debut. Beyond the annual music-to-light show, the Empire State Building’s fan-favorite holiday festivities in NYC include over-the-top decorations, Santa visits, Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows by Ghirardelli Chocolate, a Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building store Winter Wonderland pop-up experience, classic movie screenings, and special tower lightings. More information about the Empire State Building’s tower lights can be found online, or text CONNECT to 274-16 for real time updates.

About the Empire State Building      
The Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience created an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared the #1 Attraction in the World – and #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year – in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List.   

Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok. 

New integration boosts targeting, measurement, and attribution for iHeartMedia’s audio platforms

December 11, 2024 – New York, NY – iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States, today announced its adoption of Unified ID 2.0 (UID2), a privacy-focused, open-source identity framework pioneered by The Trade Desk. Designed to meet the evolving needs of audio advertising, UID2 empowers iHeartMedia’s advertising partners with advanced tools for more effective targeting, precise measurement, and accurate attribution. 

With its unparalleled reach including 860 live broadcast and streaming radio stations, its all-in-one free digital platform iHeartRadio and the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac–iHeartMedia connects brands with a quarter of a billion monthly listeners across the United States – more than anyone else. The integration of UID2 into iHeartMedia’s platforms will allow advertisers to connect more effectively with addressable, privacy-compliant audiences across iHeartMedia’s extensive range of media channels and allow advertisers to take full advantage of the marketing opportunities from iHeartMedia.

“iHeartMedia is setting a new standard in digital audio by combining our robust, first-party data with Unified ID 2.0’s scalable identity framework,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group at iHeartMedia. “Our listeners are at the heart of everything we do, and with UID2, we’re taking another leap forward to ensure that brands can reach them in more relevant, personalized, and privacy-safe ways.”

As audio continues to capture a significant share of consumer media time, the importance of effective and scalable identity solutions has grown. By integrating UID2, iHeartMedia reaffirms its commitment to an open, addressable audio ecosystem that respects consumer privacy while enabling advertisers to achieve their campaign objectives. UID2 allows advertisers to leverage authenticated user data, enhancing addressability across iHeartMedia’s platforms, including its podcasting business and iHeartRadio’s digital streaming services.

Through UID2, iHeartMedia continues to refine its analytics, providing advertisers with greater transparency and actionable insights to enhance campaign effectiveness in digital media. This adoption also facilitates cross-platform measurement, making it easier for advertisers to understand and optimize the impact of their investments across multiple platforms – all part of the company’s overall goal to make broadcast listening, nearly 70 percent of all ad-enabled audio consumption, fully programmatic and addressable.

“As audio becomes a central part of digital advertising, iHeartMedia’s move to Unified ID 2.0 provides advertisers with the precision and scale they need to connect with key audiences,” said Verna De Jesus, Vice President of Inventory Development, The Trade Desk. “This collaboration reinforces the growing commitment to privacy-conscious identity solutions that still enable impactful targeting and measurement.”

With UID2’s integration, iHeartMedia continues to empower its advertising partners in the evolving digital landscape, positioning itself as the leader in identity innovation in audio.