Cumulus Media Stock Price, News & Analysis

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) has re-launched the iconic 99X morning show as “The Morning X with Barnes & Leslie,” co-hosted by original duo Steve Barnes and Leslie Fram. This comes after a significant fan response to the 99X museum website celebrating the station's 30th anniversary. The show now airs weekdays from 6-10 a.m. ET, featuring new content alongside classic segments. Following its revival in December 2022, the station's ratings have surged, ranking among Atlanta's top ten stations. The popular podcast previously known as The Pop Culture Show has also rebranded and integrates with the Cumulus Podcast Network.

Cumulus Media reported a total revenue of $953.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2022, marking a 4% year-over-year increase. Digital revenue surpassed $142 million, up 12%. However, net income decreased by 6% to $16.2 million. The Adjusted EBITDA rose 23% to $166.0 million. Cumulus focused on reducing debt, achieving a net leverage ratio of 3.7x, its lowest in over a decade, and repurchased shares totaling approximately 12.1% of its common shares. Despite economic challenges, the company expressed confidence in navigating future opportunities.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) released a new study through Westwood One’s Audio Active Group®, highlighting the NCAA March Madness AM/FM radio audience as a highly engaged consumer group. The 2022 data indicates these listeners are primarily younger, full-time workers who exhibit a significant passion for college basketball. The study found that they frequently attend sporting events, seek sports information via mobile devices, and are likely to participate in fantasy sports. Moreover, this group demonstrates high purchase intent in key consumer categories, such as vehicles, insurance, and housing, improving advertising effectiveness.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces its 50th Super Bowl broadcast with Westwood One, covering Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. The network will feature play-by-play from Kevin Harlan and analysis by Kurt Warner, alongside other prominent sports figures. Coverage will start at 2:00 p.m. ET and includes pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. The broadcast will be available on around 600 radio stations, SiriusXM, and via NFL platforms, reaching over 56 million listeners each season. This event marks Westwood One's 36th consecutive year as the NFL's official audio broadcast partner.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) has launched a new audio series, Your Music First, across 47 Country radio stations in the U.S., starting with Thomas Rhett’s new single, Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings). This multi-week series aims to provide fans with exclusive insights from artists about their songs, enhancing music curation. Greg Frey, VP of Music Partnerships, emphasized the program's unique approach to connecting listeners with new music. The series will feature up to six artist segments per format throughout 2023, highlighting the collaboration with Big Machine Label Group and aiming to elevate listener engagement.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) will hold a conference call on February 23, 2023, at 8:30 AM ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 operating results, with a press release available at 8:00 AM ET. Interested participants must register via a provided link, with an invitation sent post-registration, including access details. The call will also be accessible live on the company's investor relations website and will be recorded for later access. Cumulus Media engages a wide audience with over 405 radio stations and offers nationally syndicated content, including sports and entertainment programming.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) through its Westwood One network will deliver live coverage of the NFL Conference Championship games on January 29, 2023. Coverage begins at 2:00 p.m. ET with the NFC Championship Game featuring the San Francisco 49ers against the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by the AFC Championship Game with the Cincinnati Bengals facing the Kansas City Chiefs at 6:30 p.m. ET. The broadcasts will be accessible across approximately 500 radio stations nationwide, as well as on digital platforms including SiriusXM and the NFL App. The winners will advance to Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023.

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) has unveiled a study revealing that NFL postseason AM/FM radio listeners are a more engaged consumer group compared to TV audiences. This first-of-its-kind analysis, based on 2022 data from Nielsen Scarborough USA+ and MRI Simmons USA, shows that these listeners not only work full-time but also possess higher disposable incomes. They exhibit greater engagement in sports, attending more events and utilizing mobile platforms for sports information. Importantly, radio listeners are more inclined to make significant purchases, such as vehicles or financial services, boosting advertising effectiveness.

Cumulus Media recently broadcast an interview with former President Donald Trump on The Mark Levin Show. During the January 12, 2023 episode, Trump commented on the discovery of classified documents at the residences of President Joe Biden and emphasized that his own documents at Mar-A-Lago were well-guarded. He suggested that more documents would surface in Delaware and criticized Biden for possessing documents without authority. Trump also addressed his recently released tax returns, calling the process unfair. The interview showcases Levin's influence in conservative media, airing across nearly 400 stations.