Clear Channel Outdoor Extends Partnership with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to Continue Digital Media Evolution at Washington Dulles International and Reagan National Airports

Rhea-AI Summary

Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO) secured a new 10-year contract with a 5-year renewal option from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, effective March 1, 2026, to operate advertising at Washington Reagan National (DCA) and Dulles International (IAD).

The company said it previously grew airport media revenue 30% pre-COVID and has nearly doubled revenue versus the prior concessionaire. Under the new deal CCO commits to accelerate digital upgrades targeting 85% digital coverage within two years, adding LumiGlass, Prism360 columns, and large-format LED walls.

Positive

• New 10-year contract with 5-year renewal option starting Mar 1, 2026
• Commitment to 85% digital coverage within two years
• Airport media revenue grew 30% pre-COVID
• Company has nearly doubled revenue versus prior concessionaire
• Program attracts major brands including Meta, Samsung, Barclaycard

Negative

• None.

Insights

Strategic Partnerships Analyst

Long-term 10-year contract secures Clear Channel's role at DCA and IAD and commits to major digital upgrades by March 1, 2026.

Clear Channel Outdoor extends a decade-long concession with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, reaffirming a commercial relationship that the text says nearly doubled revenue versus the prior concessionaire and previously grew revenues by 30% pre-COVID. The contract includes a five-year renewal option and explicitly targets an accelerated digital rollout to reach 85% digital coverage within two years.

The risks depend on execution of the digital deployment and continued advertiser demand; the announcement ties advertiser interest to named global brands and a Nielsen study but gives no budget, payment terms, or guaranteed revenue figures. Watch the rollout milestones beginning March 1, 2026, progress toward the 85% digital coverage target within two years, and updates on advertiser commitments for newly installed formats.

Airport Media Operations Expert

The agreement commits to substantial physical upgrades—LED walls, Prism360 columns and LumiGlass—intended to integrate with airport architecture and passenger flows.

The planned upgrades list specific technologies: transparent LumiGlass, Prism360 digital columns, and large-format LED video walls, plus a stated target of 85% digital coverage within two years. Those items are operational deliverables that will change inventory mix and likely shift operations toward digital campaign management and realtime content capabilities.

Operational dependencies include installation windows that must align with airport construction and security protocols, inventory downtime during installation, and measurement of audience exposure as referenced by the Nielsen research. Track installation timelines from March 1, 2026 and the first advertiser activations on the new formats within 12–24 months to assess whether the program meets its rollout and monetization claims.

Clear Channel Continues Evolving DCA & IAD Advertising and Sponsorship Program to Integrate Seamlessly with Airport Architecture, Maximize Advertiser ROI and Enhance Passenger Journeys

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Channel Outdoor's Airports Division , the Americas-based airports business of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO), today announced it was awarded, through a competitive process, a new 10-year contract (with a five-year renewal option) with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), beginning March 1, 2026. This agreement reaffirms Clear Channel Outdoor's (CCO) commitment to continually delivering a world-class advertising experience at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

MWAA initially selected CCO as its airport advertising and media partner in 2016 to transform MWAA's advertising program into a dynamic, engaging media experience and to lift advertising revenue. CCO immediately grew airport media revenues by thirty percent pre-COVID and today has nearly doubled revenue over the previous concessionaire. The new agreement builds on this success, focusing on evolution and enhancing what is already one of the nation's most effective airport advertising programs. With CCO, the airport advertising program continues to attract leading global brands including Meta, Samsung and Barclaycard.

Digital Acceleration
Under the new contract, Clear Channel will accelerate its digital strategy, committing to achieve 85% digital advertising coverage within two years. These upgrades will introduce, first-of-its-kind, transparent digital LumiGlass, Prism360 digital columns, and more large format LED video walls, continuing the investments to ensure DCA and IAD's place as benchmark media venues.

"Washington D.C. is a vital crossroads for business, government, and culture, and we're thrilled to extend our partnership with MWAA to bring even more innovation to DCA and IAD," said Morten Gotterup, president, Clear Channel Outdoor, Airports Division. "This next chapter allows us to deliver unparalleled opportunities for brands to connect with one of the nation's most influential travel audiences through stiking, data-driven digital experiences. At the same time, these upgrades will enhance the visual environment and make the journey through Dulles and Reagan National even more dynamic, intuitive and inspiring for millions of passengers every year."

Today's news comes on the heels of newly released research commissioned by Clear Channel Outdoor, and conducted by Nielsen, offering a timely, data-backed case for local and national brands to amplify their presence in the airport environment. The study showed that airport advertising continues to drive frequent flyers to even more action post ad exposure as air travel surges. The study comes as air travel continues surging and as TSA has screened record numbers of travelers this year, and the trend is expected to accelerate into 2026.

The study, which focused on **business travelers and *frequent flyers, provides a revealing look into traveler perceptions, preferences, and, most importantly, behaviors following exposure to airport advertising. In an era defined by traveler mobility, digital connectivity and experiential marketing, this study further underscores how airport media is uniquely positioned to deliver brand awareness and conversion at scale.

About Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is at the forefront of driving innovation in the out-of-home advertising industry. Our dynamic advertising platform is broadening the pool of advertisers using our medium through the expansion of digital billboards and displays and the integration of data analytics and programmatic capabilities that deliver measurable campaigns that are simpler to buy. By leveraging the scale, reach and flexibility of our diverse portfolio of assets, we connect advertisers with millions of consumers every month.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clear-channel-outdoor-extends-partnership-with-metropolitan-washington-airports-authority-to-continue-digital-media-evolution-at-washington-dulles-international-and-reagan-national-airports-302622489.html

SOURCE Clear Channel Outdoor

FAQ

What are the key terms of Clear Channel Outdoor's new MWAA contract (CCO)?

CCO signed a 10-year agreement with a 5-year renewal option, effective March 1, 2026.

How quickly will Clear Channel (CCO) implement digital upgrades at DCA and IAD?

CCO committed to achieve 85% digital advertising coverage within two years of the contract start.

How has Clear Channel (CCO) performed at Washington airports historically?

CCO grew airport media revenue 30% pre-COVID and says it has nearly doubled revenue versus the previous concessionaire.

Which digital formats will Clear Channel (CCO) add at DCA and IAD?

Planned upgrades include LumiGlass, Prism360 digital columns, and more large-format LED video walls.

What brands currently advertise in the MWAA program managed by Clear Channel (CCO)?

The program lists global advertisers such as Meta, Samsung and Barclaycard.

How might the new CCO contract affect airport advertising availability in 2026?

The agreement signals expanded digital inventory and modernization efforts beginning with the contract on Mar 1, 2026, with major rollouts targeted within two years.