Auddia Launches Discovr Radio, Redefining Artist Discovery in Radio Streaming and Provides Update on Merger
Rhea-AI Summary
Auddia (NASDAQ: AUUD) launched Discovr Radio on January 20, 2026, an AI-powered artist and label promotion platform that inserts songs into AM/FM streaming ad slots and guarantees plays using Auddia’s AI Placement Engine.
The product goes live with an initial pilot of approximately 300 customers, will onboard additional customers weekly as growth in the faidr app supports expansion, and includes an Artist Portal with campaign-level analytics (plays, skips, likes/dislikes, location, station, cost-per-play).
The company said merger discussions toward forming holding company McCarthy Finney (symbol MCFN) are progressing; a non-binding LOI was recently extended through the end of January and a binding merger agreement would trigger S-4 filing and further disclosures.
Positive
- Initial pilot of approximately 300 customers
- Guaranteed plays via proprietary AI Placement Engine
- Dedicated Artist Portal with campaign-level analytics and engagement metrics
Negative
- Merger LOI is non-binding and extended through end of January
- Platform expansion is tied to faidr user growth, creating rollout dependency
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, AUUD gained 24.06%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +22.0% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -14.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 26 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $734K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $4M at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.8x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Before this news, AUUD was down 7.43%. Several higher-affinity peers like TGL (-3.03%), ULY (-5.1%), MYSZ (-5.17%), QH (-0.8%), and SOPA (-4.82%) were also negative, but the momentum scanner only flagged SGN up 23.69% with no news, suggesting more stock-specific than coordinated sector momentum.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19 | App strategy update | Positive | +0.0% | Made faidr app fully free and outlined Discovr Radio integration timeline. |
| Oct 16 | Corporate overview update | Positive | +1.0% | Detailed proposed holding-company structure and AI/web3-focused business model shift. |
| Oct 08 | Conference participation | Positive | +5.0% | LD Micro Main Event presentation announcement with investor meeting opportunities. |
| Aug 25 | Cost restructuring | Positive | +2.4% | Engineering team restructuring aiming to cut annual engineering costs by <b>$750,000</b>. |
| Aug 20 | Business model pivot | Positive | +14.2% | Announced B2C-to-B2B pivot with AI-driven Discovr Radio platform and Artist Portal. |
Recent positive strategic and product updates have generally aligned with flat-to-modest positive price moves, with the largest noted gain of 14.16% on an AI/B2B pivot announcement.
Over the last six months, Auddia has repeatedly communicated a shift toward an AI-driven B2B model and a potential holding-company merger structure. The company announced the B2B Discovr Radio platform and AI Placement Engine in August 2025, followed by engineering restructuring expected to cut costs by $750,000 annually. In October 2025, it highlighted a proposed business combination and new ticker MCFN, and in November 2025 it moved the faidr app to a free model while planning Discovr integration by early 2026. Today’s Discovr launch and merger update extend this same strategic trajectory.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +24.1% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with management’s long-telegraphed pivot toward an AI-driven B2B model. Prior news on Discovr Radio and the holding-company strategy produced modest gains, with the largest noted move around 14.16%. A larger upside move on this launch could reflect investors repricing execution risk as the platform moves from concept to live deployment with an initial 300-customer pilot and clearer visibility on the McCarthy Finney merger path.
Key Terms
ai-powered technical
artist portal technical
s-4 regulatory
web3 technical
loi financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Platform goes live January 20 with initial pilot of 300 customers and phased expansion tied to faidr user growth
Merger process to form McCarthy Finney continuing to progress towards execution of definitive documents
BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auddia Inc. (NASDAQ: AUUD) (NASDAQ: AUUDW) (“Auddia” or the “Company”), an AI first technology company that has built a proprietary AI platform for audio identification and classification to reinvent how consumers engage with audio, today announced the official product launch of Discovr Radio, its AI-powered artist and label promotion platform.
Discovr Radio will officially go live on January 20, beginning with an initial pilot group of approximately 300 customers. Following launch, the Company plans to onboard additional customers on a weekly basis, with expansion paced by overall user growth across Auddia’s flagship faidr app.
Discovr Radio introduces a new model for music discovery in radio streaming by allowing artists and labels to insert music directly into AM/FM streaming feeds during traditional ad slots. Powered by Auddia’s proprietary AI Placement Engine, the platform intelligently matches songs to listeners based on contextual, behavioral, and listening data, delivering guaranteed plays while preserving a seamless listener experience.
“Discovr Radio represents a major evolution in how artists can reach radio audiences in a measurable and meaningful way,” said Theo Romeo, Chief Marketing Officer of Auddia. “This launch moves Discovr from concept to reality, giving artists guaranteed exposure while listeners discover new music that’s actually relevant to them.”
At launch, Discovr Radio will be integrated directly into the faidr app, which serves as the platform’s first distribution partner. faidr listeners can engage with Discovr-powered songs in real time by liking or disliking tracks, visiting artist profiles, and exploring new music without interrupting their listening experience.
The Discovr Radio platform also includes a dedicated Artist Portal, where participating artists and labels can access detailed performance analytics, listener engagement insights, and campaign-level reporting such as total and partial plays, skips, likes/dislikes, listens by location and station, and cost-per-play.
“Our goal with Discovr Radio is to align the interests of listeners, artists, and the radio ecosystem,” said Jeff Thramann, CEO of Auddia. “By combining AI-driven placement, guaranteed plays, and transparent analytics, we’re creating a scalable discovery engine that benefits everyone involved.”
The initial pilot phase is designed to refine platform performance, optimize campaign outcomes, and gather real-world insights from early customers. As faidr’s user base continues to grow, Discovr Radio will expand accordingly, onboarding new artists and labels each week. Visit www.discovrradio.com for more information.
The Company continues to make progress in its merger discussions as it works toward execution of definitive documents. The non-binding LOI was recently extended through the end of January to accommodate completion of the process. Shortly after executing a binding merger agreement, the Company will begin reporting on the details of the merger to include filing a comprehensive S-4. The merger is aimed at repositioning Auddia as a holding company named McCarthy Finney trading under the symbol MCFN. McCarthy Finney will be focused on delivering AI and web3 capabilities to its subsidiaries, one of which will be Auddia.
For additional information visit AUUD Overview Deck Website Final 10.15.25.pdf
About Auddia Inc.
Auddia, through its proprietary AI platform for audio, is reinventing not only how consumers engage with AM/FM radio, podcasts, and other audio content but also how artists and labels promote their music and gain access to mainstream radio audiences. Auddia’s Discovr Radio is the first music-promotion platform to deliver artists guaranteed exposure to radio listeners. Auddia’s flagship audio superapp, called faidr, delivers multiple industry firsts, including:
- Ad-free listening on any AM/FM radio station
- Content skipping across any AM/FM station
- One-touch skipping of entire podcast ad breaks
- Integrated artist discovery experiences
For more information, visit www.auddia.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 about the Company's current expectations about future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Statements that are not historical facts, such as "anticipates," "believes" and "expects" or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the Company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed more fully in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are encouraged to review the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as other disclosures contained in the Annual Report and subsequent filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Relations:
Kirin Smith, President
PCG Advisory, Inc.
ksmith@pcgadvisory.com
www.pcgadvisory.com
FAQ
What is Discovr Radio launched by Auddia (AUUD) on January 20, 2026?
How many customers are in Auddia's Discovr Radio pilot (AUUD)?
What analytics does Auddia provide to artists on Discovr Radio (AUUD)?
How will Discovr Radio be distributed to listeners for AUUD?
What is the status of Auddia's merger to form McCarthy Finney (AUUD)?
Will Discovr Radio immediately scale nationwide for AUUD?
