iHeartMedia Shares Down Nearly 17% as Sale Talks with Sirius XM Pause
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 20 hours ago
0mins
Shares of iHeartMedia (IHRT) are trading down almost 17% after DealBook reported that early-stage talks over a potential sale to Sirius XM (SIRI) are on pause. Sources with knowledge of the discussions told Lauren Hirsch that the talks, however, could always be revived. But a big question now is what each company's stand-alone strategy looks like as digital giants like Spotify (SPOT) continue to disrupt the audio industry, Dealbook said.
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Analyst Views on IHRT
Wall Street analysts forecast IHRT stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
2 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 4.850
Low
3.50
Averages
4.25
High
5.00
Current: 4.850
Low
3.50
Averages
4.25
High
5.00
About IHRT
iHeartMedia, Inc. is an audio company in the United States. The Company's segments include Multiplatform Group, Digital Audio Group and Audio & Media Services Group. The Multiplatform Group segment includes its Markets Group, which includes its 860+ broadcast radio stations in approximately 160 markets; its Events business, which includes both live and virtual events; its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products; Premiere Networks, which includes the Premiere Networks syndication business and Total Traffic and Weather Network; Black Information Network (BIN) and its National Sales Organization. The Digital Audio Group segment includes all of the Company's digital businesses, including podcasting, the iHeartRadio digital service, its digital advertising technology companies, its websites, newsletters and digital services and programs and its audio social media footprint. The Audio & Media Services Group segment includes Katz Media Group, and RCS Sound Software.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
iHeartMedia and SiriusXM Negotiation Stalls
- Negotiation Stalled: iHeartMedia (IHRT) dropped 12% in premarket trading due to stalled early-stage talks with SiriusXM (SIRI), indicating a weakening of potential merger prospects and affecting market confidence in future collaboration between the two companies.
- Market Reaction: SiriusXM's stock also fell by 1.6%, reflecting investor concerns over the failed negotiations, which could lead to both companies losing competitive advantages in the fiercely contested media market.
- Potential Merger Impact: A successful negotiation would combine iHeartMedia, the largest radio station owner in the U.S., with SiriusXM, the largest satellite radio service, potentially reshaping the industry landscape, but the current stall makes this outlook uncertain.
- Financial Outlook: Despite the stalled negotiations, iHeartMedia reaffirmed its outlook for $800 million adjusted EBITDA and $200 million free cash flow for Q1 2026, demonstrating the company's financial resilience in the current environment.
See More
The Breakfast Club Becomes Netflix's First Daily Live Show
- Program Innovation: iHeartMedia and Netflix's collaboration transforms The Breakfast Club into a daily live show, airing nearly three hours of real-time content every weekday, significantly enhancing audience engagement and the show's impact.
- Global Reach: The program achieves global live broadcasting, with mornings in New York, daytime in the UK and Ghana, and evenings in other regions, showcasing its cultural influence and real-time interaction capabilities worldwide.
- Rich Content: The Netflix version will eliminate traditional ad breaks, offering exclusive content and behind-the-scenes moments, enhancing user experience and potentially attracting more viewers while increasing user loyalty.
- Cultural Significance: As a staple of modern culture since its launch in 2010, The Breakfast Club has become a benchmark for contemporary Hip-Hop/R&B morning shows, featuring numerous high-profile guests, further solidifying its leadership position in audio media.
See More
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- Strategic Partnership: The Beach Football League (BFL) has formed a strategic partnership with iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America, naming it the Official Audio and Radio Partner for the 2026 season, which will leverage iHeart's extensive platforms to enhance event promotion and fan engagement, significantly expanding BFL's national footprint.
- National Event Expansion: This collaboration will support BFL's future events planned across New England, Miami, and Los Angeles, particularly around the 2027 Super Bowl in Santa Monica, thereby enhancing brand exposure and market penetration.
- Event Highlights: BFL's California events featured NFL legends like Marshawn Lynch and Deshaun Foster, alongside music, youth camps, and drone shows, showcasing a perfect blend of sports and entertainment that attracted a large audience.
- Integrated Brand Promotion: iHeart's branding and promotional support will span BFL's radio campaigns, social media content, and digital advertising, expected to elevate BFL's market recognition and commercial value, driving further growth in the emerging sports entertainment market.
See More
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- Strategic Partnership: The Beach Football League (BFL) has formed a strategic partnership with iHeartMedia, naming it the Official Audio and Radio Partner for the 2026 season and beyond, which is expected to significantly enhance event promotion and fan engagement through the integration of iHeart's live radio, digital media, and social platforms.
- National Expansion Plans: This collaboration will support BFL's nationwide events, including future destination events planned for 2027 in New England, Miami, and during Super Bowl Week in Los Angeles, thereby expanding its market presence and attracting a larger audience.
- Event Highlights: BFL's California events, such as the Santa Cruz Beach Classic, featured NFL legends and live performances, showcasing the blend of beach football with music and community activities, which enhances brand visibility and attracts younger audiences.
- Innovative Sports Entertainment: As the world's first professional tackle football league played on sand, BFL is emerging as one of the most innovative live sports entertainment properties in the U.S., combining sports, music, and community engagement, which is likely to attract more sponsors and partners.
See More
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- Funding Support: The awards will provide funding to various organizations, including GLAAD and the Trevor Project, through a partnership with Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation, ensuring they can continue offering essential health and community services that promote LGBTQ+ rights.
- Cultural Influence: Honorees such as Jonathan Bailey and Laverne Cox not only enhance LGBTQ+ visibility but also drive social change through their artistic and cultural contributions, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in society.
- Historical Significance: Elton John emphasized that these stories and conversations reflect the evolution of LGBTQ+ culture and underscore the urgency of continuing the fight for equality and health equity globally, inspiring a new generation of activists.
See More
iHeartRadio Partners with FOX Sports for 2026 World Cup Broadcast
- Comprehensive Coverage: iHeartRadio will provide English broadcasts of all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across over 500 platforms and 2,000 devices, significantly enhancing accessibility and audience engagement for the tournament.
- Special Programming: The tournament kicks off on June 11, with FOX Sports offering a two-hour pregame show, ensuring viewers receive comprehensive event information and analysis before the matches begin.
- USMNT Match Highlights: Special coverage will be provided for the U.S. Men's National Team matches, including their first Group D game against Paraguay on June 12, further increasing American viewers' interest and participation in the home event.
- Rich Audio Content: iHeartRadio will also launch numerous soccer-focused podcasts featuring renowned industry voices and players, enriching the content ecosystem during the tournament and enhancing the listening experience for users.
See More
iHeartMedia and SiriusXM Negotiation Stalls
- Negotiation Stalled: iHeartMedia (IHRT) dropped 12% in premarket trading due to stalled early-stage talks with SiriusXM (SIRI), indicating a weakening of potential merger prospects and affecting market confidence in future collaboration between the two companies.
- Market Reaction: SiriusXM's stock also fell by 1.6%, reflecting investor concerns over the failed negotiations, which could lead to both companies losing competitive advantages in the fiercely contested media market.
- Potential Merger Impact: A successful negotiation would combine iHeartMedia, the largest radio station owner in the U.S., with SiriusXM, the largest satellite radio service, potentially reshaping the industry landscape, but the current stall makes this outlook uncertain.
- Financial Outlook: Despite the stalled negotiations, iHeartMedia reaffirmed its outlook for $800 million adjusted EBITDA and $200 million free cash flow for Q1 2026, demonstrating the company's financial resilience in the current environment.
See More
The Breakfast Club Becomes Netflix's First Daily Live Show
- Program Innovation: iHeartMedia and Netflix's collaboration transforms The Breakfast Club into a daily live show, airing nearly three hours of real-time content every weekday, significantly enhancing audience engagement and the show's impact.
- Global Reach: The program achieves global live broadcasting, with mornings in New York, daytime in the UK and Ghana, and evenings in other regions, showcasing its cultural influence and real-time interaction capabilities worldwide.
- Rich Content: The Netflix version will eliminate traditional ad breaks, offering exclusive content and behind-the-scenes moments, enhancing user experience and potentially attracting more viewers while increasing user loyalty.
- Cultural Significance: As a staple of modern culture since its launch in 2010, The Breakfast Club has become a benchmark for contemporary Hip-Hop/R&B morning shows, featuring numerous high-profile guests, further solidifying its leadership position in audio media.
See More
Beach Football League Partners with iHeartMedia for National Expansion
- Strategic Partnership: The Beach Football League (BFL) has formed a strategic partnership with iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America, naming it the Official Audio and Radio Partner for the 2026 season, which will leverage iHeart's extensive platforms to enhance event promotion and fan engagement, significantly expanding BFL's national footprint.
- National Event Expansion: This collaboration will support BFL's future events planned across New England, Miami, and Los Angeles, particularly around the 2027 Super Bowl in Santa Monica, thereby enhancing brand exposure and market penetration.
- Event Highlights: BFL's California events featured NFL legends like Marshawn Lynch and Deshaun Foster, alongside music, youth camps, and drone shows, showcasing a perfect blend of sports and entertainment that attracted a large audience.
- Integrated Brand Promotion: iHeart's branding and promotional support will span BFL's radio campaigns, social media content, and digital advertising, expected to elevate BFL's market recognition and commercial value, driving further growth in the emerging sports entertainment market.
See More
Beach Football League Partners with iHeartMedia for National Expansion
- Strategic Partnership: The Beach Football League (BFL) has formed a strategic partnership with iHeartMedia, naming it the Official Audio and Radio Partner for the 2026 season and beyond, which is expected to significantly enhance event promotion and fan engagement through the integration of iHeart's live radio, digital media, and social platforms.
- National Expansion Plans: This collaboration will support BFL's nationwide events, including future destination events planned for 2027 in New England, Miami, and during Super Bowl Week in Los Angeles, thereby expanding its market presence and attracting a larger audience.
- Event Highlights: BFL's California events, such as the Santa Cruz Beach Classic, featured NFL legends and live performances, showcasing the blend of beach football with music and community activities, which enhances brand visibility and attracts younger audiences.
- Innovative Sports Entertainment: As the world's first professional tackle football league played on sand, BFL is emerging as one of the most innovative live sports entertainment properties in the U.S., combining sports, music, and community engagement, which is likely to attract more sponsors and partners.
See More
Inaugural Elton John Impact Awards Celebrate LGBTQ+ Changemakers
- Award Ceremony Launch: The inaugural Elton John Impact Awards, hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, aims to honor changemakers who have significantly impacted the LGBTQ+ community, thereby raising critical visibility and support for the cause.
- Funding Support: The awards will provide funding to various organizations, including GLAAD and the Trevor Project, through a partnership with Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation, ensuring they can continue offering essential health and community services that promote LGBTQ+ rights.
- Cultural Influence: Honorees such as Jonathan Bailey and Laverne Cox not only enhance LGBTQ+ visibility but also drive social change through their artistic and cultural contributions, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in society.
- Historical Significance: Elton John emphasized that these stories and conversations reflect the evolution of LGBTQ+ culture and underscore the urgency of continuing the fight for equality and health equity globally, inspiring a new generation of activists.
See More
iHeartRadio Partners with FOX Sports for 2026 World Cup Broadcast
- Comprehensive Coverage: iHeartRadio will provide English broadcasts of all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across over 500 platforms and 2,000 devices, significantly enhancing accessibility and audience engagement for the tournament.
- Special Programming: The tournament kicks off on June 11, with FOX Sports offering a two-hour pregame show, ensuring viewers receive comprehensive event information and analysis before the matches begin.
- USMNT Match Highlights: Special coverage will be provided for the U.S. Men's National Team matches, including their first Group D game against Paraguay on June 12, further increasing American viewers' interest and participation in the home event.
- Rich Audio Content: iHeartRadio will also launch numerous soccer-focused podcasts featuring renowned industry voices and players, enriching the content ecosystem during the tournament and enhancing the listening experience for users.
See More
