iHeartmedia, Inc. Reports Results for 2025 Fourth Quarter and Full Year
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
free cash flow financial
net leverage financial
non-gaap financial
sg&a financial
debt exchange transaction financial
abl facility financial
Financial Highlights:1
Q4 2025 Consolidated Results
-
Q4 Revenue of
, up$1,127 million 0.8% (Excluding Q4 Political Revenue, Q4 Revenue up7.7% ) -
GAAP Operating income of
, compared to a GAAP Operating income of$86 million in Q4 2024, down$105 million 18.0% -
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of
, compared to$220 million in Q4 2024, down$246 million 10.5% -
Cash provided by operating activities of
$156 million -
Free Cash Flow of
, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales of$138 million $158 million -
Cash balance and total available liquidity2 of
and$271 million , respectively, as of December 31, 2025$640 million
Q4 2025 Digital Audio Group Results
-
Digital Audio Group Revenue of
up$387 million 14% -
Podcast Revenue of
up$174 million 24% -
Digital Revenue excluding Podcast of
up$213 million 7%
-
Podcast Revenue of
-
Segment Adjusted EBITDA of
up$132 million 11% -
Digital Audio Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of
34.1%
-
Digital Audio Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of
Q4 2025 Multiplatform Group Results
-
Multiplatform Group Revenue of
down$665 million 3% -
Excluding Multiplatform Group Q4 Political Revenue, Multiplatform Group Q4 Revenue up
2%
-
Excluding Multiplatform Group Q4 Political Revenue, Multiplatform Group Q4 Revenue up
-
Segment Adjusted EBITDA of
down$129 million 14% -
Multiplatform Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of
19.4%
-
Multiplatform Group Adjusted EBITDA margin of
Full Year 2026 Guidance
-
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA3 expected to be approximately
$800 million -
Free Cash Flow of approximately
$200 million -
Projected in year cost savings of
, inclusive of additional$100 million announced today$50 million -
Total Programmatic Revenue of approximately
, up approximately$200 million 50% - Year End 2026 Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ("net leverage")4 to be in mid-fives
Q1 2026 Guidance
- Consolidated Revenue expected to increase high-single digits
-
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA3 expected to be approximately
$100 million
| _____________________________________ |
1 Unless otherwise noted, all results are based on year over year comparisons. |
2 Total available liquidity is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus available borrowings under our ABL Facility. We use total available liquidity to evaluate our capacity to access cash to meet obligations and fund operations. |
3 A full reconciliation of forecasted Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow or net leverage on a non-GAAP basis to the respective most-directly comparable GAAP metrics cannot be provided without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying with reasonable accuracy significant items required for the reconciliations, including gains or losses on investments, extinguishment of debt, equity in nonconsolidated affiliates, impairment charges, stock based compensation, restructuring, and the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance and Net cash provided by operating activities. |
4 We define Net Debt as Total Debt less Cash and cash equivalents and Debt Premium. |
Full Year 2025 Highlights5
-
Revenue of
, flat YoY, up$3,865 million 3.6% excluding political-
Digital Audio Group Revenue up
14% -
Podcast Revenue up
26% -
Digital Revenue excluding Podcast up
7%
-
Podcast Revenue up
-
Multiplatform Group Revenue down
4% -
Excluding Multiplatform Group Political Revenue, Multiplatform Group Revenue down
2%
-
Excluding Multiplatform Group Political Revenue, Multiplatform Group Revenue down
-
Digital Audio Group Revenue up
-
GAAP Operating loss of
improved from GAAP Operating loss of$21 million in the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to the$763 million of non-cash impairment charges recorded in 2024 related to our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets balances compared to the$923 million of non-cash impairment charges primarily related to our FCC licenses recorded in 2025$213.9 million -
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of
, down from$686 million in the year ended December 31, 2024$706 million -
Cash provided by operating activities of
$93 million -
Free Cash Flow of
; Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales of$11 million $31 million
| _____________________________________ |
5 Unless otherwise noted, all results are based on year over year comparisons. |
Statement from Senior Management
“We’re pleased with our fourth quarter results, generating Adjusted EBITDA of
“In the fourth quarter, the Digital Audio Group’s revenue was
Consolidated Results of Operations
Fourth Quarter 2025 Consolidated Results
Our consolidated revenue increased
Consolidated direct operating expenses increased
Consolidated Selling, General & Administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased
Our consolidated GAAP Operating income was
Adjusted EBITDA decreased to
Cash provided by operating activities was
Business Segments: Results of Operations
Fourth Quarter 2025 Multiplatform Group Results
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
||
Revenue |
$ |
664,766 |
|
|
$ |
683,995 |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
2,273,549 |
|
|
$ |
2,372,909 |
|
|
(4.2 |
)% |
Operating expenses1 |
|
536,069 |
|
|
|
534,046 |
|
|
0.4 |
% |
|
|
1,859,329 |
|
|
|
1,911,643 |
|
|
(2.7 |
)% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
128,697 |
|
|
$ |
149,949 |
|
|
(14.2 |
)% |
|
$ |
414,220 |
|
|
$ |
461,266 |
|
|
(10.2 |
)% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
21.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
18.2 |
% |
|
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
||
1 |
Operating expenses consist of Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, excluding Restructuring expenses. |
Revenue from our Multiplatform Group was down
Operating expenses increased
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin decreased YoY to
Fourth Quarter 2025 Digital Audio Group Results
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
||
Revenue |
$ |
386,588 |
|
|
$ |
338,892 |
|
|
14.1 |
% |
|
$ |
1,329,422 |
|
|
$ |
1,164,515 |
|
|
14.2 |
% |
Operating expenses1 |
|
254,896 |
|
|
|
219,955 |
|
|
15.9 |
% |
|
|
872,731 |
|
|
|
785,575 |
|
|
11.1 |
% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
131,692 |
|
|
$ |
118,937 |
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
$ |
456,691 |
|
|
$ |
378,940 |
|
|
20.5 |
% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
34.1 |
% |
|
|
35.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
34.4 |
% |
|
|
32.5 |
% |
|
|
||
1 |
Operating expenses consist of Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, excluding Restructuring expenses. |
Revenue from our Digital Audio Group increased
Operating expenses increased
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin decreased YoY to
Fourth Quarter 2025 Audio & Media Services Group Results
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
||
Revenue |
$ |
78,881 |
|
|
$ |
97,755 |
|
|
(19.3 |
)% |
|
$ |
272,545 |
|
|
$ |
327,055 |
|
|
(16.7 |
)% |
Operating expenses1 |
|
47,557 |
|
|
|
49,034 |
|
|
(3.0 |
)% |
|
|
179,117 |
|
|
|
186,381 |
|
|
(3.9 |
)% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
31,324 |
|
|
$ |
48,721 |
|
|
(35.7 |
)% |
|
$ |
93,428 |
|
|
$ |
140,674 |
|
|
(33.6 |
)% |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
39.7 |
% |
|
|
49.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
34.3 |
% |
|
|
43.0 |
% |
|
|
||
1 |
Operating expenses consist of Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, excluding Restructuring expenses. |
Revenue from our Audio & Media Services Group decreased
Operating expenses decreased
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin decreased YoY to
GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures: Consolidated
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Revenue |
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
85,701 |
|
|
|
104,547 |
|
|
|
(20,640 |
) |
|
|
(763,108 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
|
220,298 |
|
|
|
246,208 |
|
|
|
685,767 |
|
|
|
705,617 |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
(41,255 |
) |
|
|
31,928 |
|
|
|
(471,887 |
) |
|
|
(1,009,494 |
) |
Cash provided by operating activities2 |
|
156,255 |
|
|
|
1,212 |
|
|
|
92,583 |
|
|
|
71,429 |
|
Free cash flow1 |
|
137,576 |
|
|
|
(24,208 |
) |
|
|
10,911 |
|
|
|
(26,165 |
) |
Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales1 |
|
157,575 |
|
|
|
(24,208 |
) |
|
|
30,910 |
|
|
|
(25,955 |
) |
Free cash flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction1,3 |
|
157,575 |
|
|
|
111,083 |
|
|
|
30,910 |
|
|
|
109,336 |
|
| _________________________________ | ||||
|
1. |
See the end of this press release for reconciliations of (i) Adjusted EBITDA to Operating income (loss), (ii) Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss), (iii) Free Cash Flow, Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free cash flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction to Cash provided by operating activities, and (iv) revenue, excluding political advertising revenue, to revenue. See also the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, Free cash flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and Net Debt under the Supplemental Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information section in this release. |
||
|
2. |
We made cash interest payments of |
||
|
3. |
We completed the Debt Exchange Transaction in the fourth quarter of 2024 which resulted in |
||
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2025 presentation of financial information throughout the press release.
Liquidity and Financial Position
As of December 31, 2025, we had
Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2025 were
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had
Cash balance and total available liquidity2 were
| _____________________________________ |
1 We define Net Debt as Total Debt less Cash and cash equivalents and Debt Premium. |
2 Total available liquidity is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus available borrowings under our ABL Facility. We use total available liquidity to evaluate our capacity to access cash to meet obligations and fund operations. |
Revenue Streams
The tables below present the comparison of our historical revenue streams (including political revenue) for the periods presented:
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
||
Broadcast Radio |
$ |
469,854 |
|
|
$ |
493,298 |
|
|
(4.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
1,633,403 |
|
|
$ |
1,726,934 |
|
|
(5.4 |
)% |
Networks |
|
118,221 |
|
|
|
113,260 |
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
|
439,770 |
|
|
|
437,212 |
|
|
0.6 |
% |
Sponsorship and Events |
|
71,405 |
|
|
|
70,065 |
|
|
1.9 |
% |
|
|
182,015 |
|
|
|
187,344 |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
Other |
|
5,286 |
|
|
|
7,372 |
|
|
(28.3 |
)% |
|
|
18,361 |
|
|
|
21,419 |
|
|
(14.3 |
)% |
Multiplatform Group |
|
664,766 |
|
|
|
683,995 |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
|
|
2,273,549 |
|
|
|
2,372,909 |
|
|
(4.2 |
)% |
Digital ex. Podcast |
|
212,869 |
|
|
|
199,303 |
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
765,698 |
|
|
|
715,736 |
|
|
7.0 |
% |
Podcast |
|
173,719 |
|
|
|
139,589 |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
563,724 |
|
|
|
448,779 |
|
|
25.6 |
% |
Digital Audio Group |
|
386,588 |
|
|
|
338,892 |
|
|
14.1 |
% |
|
|
1,329,422 |
|
|
|
1,164,515 |
|
|
14.2 |
% |
Audio & Media Services Group |
|
78,881 |
|
|
|
97,755 |
|
|
(19.3 |
)% |
|
|
272,545 |
|
|
|
327,055 |
|
|
(16.7 |
)% |
Eliminations |
|
(3,008 |
) |
|
|
(2,373 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(10,525 |
) |
|
|
(9,947 |
) |
|
|
||
Revenue, total |
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Conference Call
iHeartMedia, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss results and business outlook on March 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call number is (888) 596-4144 (
About iHeartMedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia (Nasdaq: IHRT) is the number one audio company in
With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the
The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the Company’s growing podcasting business -- iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings -- as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 500+ platforms and thousands of devices; the Company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.
The Company’s Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation’s largest media representation company, and RCS, the world's leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.
Certain statements herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of iHeartMedia, Inc. and its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words or phrases “guidance,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimates,” “forecast” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s anticipated growth and continued investments; our expected costs savings; utilization of new technologies, programmatic platforms, and revenue opportunities; improving operational efficiency; future advertising demand; trends in the advertising industry, including on other media platforms; strategies, goals, partnerships and initiatives; our anticipated financial condition and performance, including our outlook as to first quarter and full year 2026 consolidated results of operations; and our future liquidity and net leverage are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other important factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. Various risks that could cause future results to differ from those expressed by the forward-looking statements included in this press release include, but are not limited to: risks related to global economic or political uncertainty and our dependence on advertising revenues; competition, including increased competition from alternative media platforms and technologies; dependence upon our brand and the performance of on-air talent, program hosts and management; fluctuations in operating costs; technological and industry changes and innovations; shifts in population and other demographics; risks related to our use of artificial intelligence, impact of acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions; risks related to our indebtedness; legislative or regulatory requirements; impact of legislation, and royalty audits on music licensing and royalties; regulations and concerns regarding privacy and data protection and breaches of information security measures; risks related to scrutiny and regulation of environmental, social and governance matters, risks related to our Class A common stock; and regulations impacting our business and the ownership of our securities. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date hereof. Additional risks that could cause future results to differ from those expressed by any forward-looking statement are described in the Company’s reports filed with the
APPENDIX
TABLE 1 - Comparison of operating performance
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% |
||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
Change |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
Change |
||
Revenue |
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
0.8 |
% |
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
466,766 |
|
|
455,777 |
|
2.4 |
% |
|
|
1,613,426 |
|
|
|
1,588,931 |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
479,316 |
|
|
458,088 |
|
4.6 |
% |
|
|
1,687,616 |
|
|
|
1,693,679 |
|
|
(0.4 |
)% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
87,716 |
|
|
98,733 |
|
|
|
|
360,047 |
|
|
|
409,582 |
|
|
|
||
Impairment charges |
|
— |
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
|
213,908 |
|
|
|
922,681 |
|
|
|
||
Other operating expense |
|
7,728 |
|
|
587 |
|
|
|
|
10,634 |
|
|
|
2,767 |
|
|
|
||
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
85,701 |
|
$ |
104,547 |
|
|
|
$ |
(20,640 |
) |
|
$ |
(763,108 |
) |
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
87,716 |
|
|
98,733 |
|
|
|
|
360,047 |
|
|
|
409,582 |
|
|
|
||
Impairment charges |
|
— |
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
|
213,908 |
|
|
|
922,681 |
|
|
|
||
Other operating expense |
|
7,728 |
|
|
587 |
|
|
|
|
10,634 |
|
|
|
2,767 |
|
|
|
||
Restructuring expenses |
|
22,951 |
|
|
33,456 |
|
|
|
|
77,714 |
|
|
|
101,384 |
|
|
|
||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
16,202 |
|
|
8,348 |
|
|
|
|
44,104 |
|
|
|
32,311 |
|
|
|
||
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
$ |
220,298 |
|
$ |
246,208 |
|
(10.5 |
)% |
|
$ |
685,767 |
|
|
$ |
705,617 |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
1See the end of this press release for reconciliations of (i) Adjusted EBITDA to Operating income (loss), and (ii) Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss). See also the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin under the Supplemental Disclosure section in this release. |
TABLE 2 - Statements of Operations
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Revenue |
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
466,766 |
|
|
|
455,777 |
|
|
|
1,613,426 |
|
|
|
1,588,931 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
479,316 |
|
|
|
458,088 |
|
|
|
1,687,616 |
|
|
|
1,693,679 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
87,716 |
|
|
|
98,733 |
|
|
|
360,047 |
|
|
|
409,582 |
|
Impairment charges |
|
— |
|
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
213,908 |
|
|
|
922,681 |
|
Other operating expense |
|
7,728 |
|
|
|
587 |
|
|
|
10,634 |
|
|
|
2,767 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
85,701 |
|
|
|
104,547 |
|
|
|
(20,640 |
) |
|
|
(763,108 |
) |
Interest expense, net |
|
99,476 |
|
|
|
92,627 |
|
|
|
402,535 |
|
|
|
379,434 |
|
Gain (loss) on investments, net |
|
(10,327 |
) |
|
|
(15,956 |
) |
|
|
(43,025 |
) |
|
|
75,523 |
|
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
(7,010 |
) |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
(6,998 |
) |
|
|
(2,646 |
) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(97,305 |
) |
|
|
(1,577 |
) |
|
|
(97,305 |
) |
Other income (expense), net |
|
67 |
|
|
|
(1,394 |
) |
|
|
1,093 |
|
|
|
(926 |
) |
Loss before income taxes |
|
(31,053 |
) |
|
|
(102,688 |
) |
|
|
(473,682 |
) |
|
|
(1,167,896 |
) |
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
(10,202 |
) |
|
|
134,616 |
|
|
|
1,795 |
|
|
|
158,402 |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
(41,255 |
) |
|
|
31,928 |
|
|
|
(471,887 |
) |
|
|
(1,009,494 |
) |
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
643 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
979 |
|
|
|
447 |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
$ |
(41,898 |
) |
|
$ |
31,490 |
|
|
$ |
(472,866 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,009,941 |
) |
TABLE 3 - Selected Balance Sheet Information
(In millions) |
December 31, 2025 |
|
December 31, 2024 |
||||
Cash |
$ |
270.9 |
|
|
$ |
259.6 |
|
Total Current Assets |
|
1,459.3 |
|
|
|
1,361.8 |
|
Net Property, Plant and Equipment |
|
398.2 |
|
|
|
489.8 |
|
Total Assets |
|
5,126.0 |
|
|
|
5,571.7 |
|
Current Liabilities (excluding current portion of long-term debt) |
|
894.0 |
|
|
|
847.8 |
|
Long-term Debt (including current portion of long-term debt) |
|
5,053.1 |
|
|
|
5,071.5 |
|
Stockholders' Deficit |
|
(1,827.0 |
) |
|
|
(1,371.8 |
) |
Supplemental Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information
The following tables set forth the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, revenues excluding political advertising revenue, Free Cash Flow, Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free cash flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction for the three months and year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and Net Debt as of December 31, 2025. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated Operating income (loss) adjusted to exclude restructuring expenses included within Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, and share-based compensation expenses included within SG&A expenses, as well as the following line items presented in our Statements of Operations: Depreciation and amortization, Impairment charges, and Other operating expense. Alternatively, Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Net income (loss), adjusted to exclude Income tax (benefit) expense, Interest expense, net, Depreciation and amortization, (Gain) loss on investments, net, Loss on extinguishment of debt, Other (income) expense, net, Equity in (earnings) loss of nonconsolidated affiliates, Impairment charges, Other operating expense, Share-based compensation expense, and Restructuring expenses. Restructuring expenses primarily include expenses incurred in connection with cost-saving initiatives, as well as certain expenses, which, in the view of management, are outside the ordinary course of business or otherwise not representative of the Company's operations during a normal business cycle. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Revenue.
The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, among other measures, to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is among the primary measures used by management for the planning and forecasting of future periods, as well as for measuring performance for compensation of executives and other members of management. We believe this measure is an important indicator of the Company’s operational strength and performance of its business because it provides a link between operational performance and operating income.
The Company believes the presentation of these measures is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company’s management. The Company believes it helps improve investors’ ability to understand the Company’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare the Company’s results with other companies that have different capital structures or tax rates. In addition, the Company believes this measure is also among the primary measures used externally by the Company’s investors, analysts and peers in its industry for purposes of valuation and comparing the operating performance of the Company to other companies in its industry.
Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, Operating income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily a measure of the Company’s ability to fund its cash needs. As it excludes certain financial information compared with Operating income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded.
We define Free Cash Flow as Cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, which is disclosed as Purchases of property, plant and equipment in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales further adjusts Free Cash Flow to add back net proceeds from real estate sales. We use Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, among other measures, to evaluate the Company’s liquidity and its ability to generate cash flow. We believe that Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales is meaningful to investors because it provides them with a view of the Company’s liquidity after deducting capital expenditures, which are considered to be a necessary component of ongoing operations; and include proceeds from real estate sales in the case of Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales.
We define Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction as Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, while further excluding the Debt Exchange Transaction fees. We use Free Cash Flow measures, among other measures, to evaluate the Company’s liquidity and its ability to generate cash flow. We believe that Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction are meaningful to investors because they provide them with a view of the Company’s liquidity after deducting capital expenditures, which are considered to be a necessary component of ongoing operations, and excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction in the case of Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction.
In addition, we believe that Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction help improve investors’ ability to compare our liquidity with that of other companies.
Since Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, Cash provided by operating activities and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction are not necessarily measures of our ability to fund our cash needs.
The Company presents revenue, excluding the effects of political revenue. Due to the cyclical nature of the electoral system and the seasonality of the related political revenue, management believes presenting revenue, excluding the effects of political revenue, provides additional information to investors about the Company’s revenue growth from period to period.
We define Net Debt as Total Debt less Cash and cash equivalents and Debt Premium. The Company uses Net Debt to evaluate the Company's liquidity. We believe this measure is an important indicator of the Company's ability to service its long-term debt obligations.
Since these non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as an indicator of operating performance or liquidity.
As required by the SEC rules, the Company provides reconciliations below to the most directly comparable measures reported under GAAP, including (i) Adjusted EBITDA to Operating income (loss), (ii) Adjusted EBITDA to Net income (loss), (iii) Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction to Cash provided by operating activities, (iv) revenue, excluding political advertising revenue, to revenue, and (v) Net Debt to Total Debt.
We have provided forecasted Consolidated Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, which reflects targets for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. Our Earnings Call on March 2, 2026 may present additional guidance that includes Adjusted EBITDA. A full reconciliation of the forecasted Adjusted EBITDA to the respective most-directly comparable GAAP metrics cannot be provided without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying with reasonable accuracy significant items required for the reconciliations, including gains or losses on investments, extinguishment of debt, equity in nonconsolidated affiliates, impairment charges, stock based compensation, and restructuring as well as the Company's cash and cash equivalent balance.
Reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
85,701 |
|
$ |
104,547 |
|
$ |
(20,640 |
) |
|
$ |
(763,108 |
) |
|
$ |
(116,277 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
87,716 |
|
|
98,733 |
|
|
360,047 |
|
|
|
409,582 |
|
|
|
90,061 |
|
Impairment charges |
|
— |
|
|
537 |
|
|
213,908 |
|
|
|
922,681 |
|
|
|
208,501 |
|
Other operating expense |
|
7,728 |
|
|
587 |
|
|
10,634 |
|
|
|
2,767 |
|
|
|
1,161 |
|
Restructuring expenses |
|
22,951 |
|
|
33,456 |
|
|
77,714 |
|
|
|
101,384 |
|
|
|
9,695 |
|
Share-based compensation expense |
|
16,202 |
|
|
8,348 |
|
|
44,104 |
|
|
|
32,311 |
|
|
|
11,613 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
220,298 |
|
$ |
246,208 |
|
$ |
685,767 |
|
|
$ |
705,617 |
|
|
$ |
204,754 |
|
Reconciliation of Net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
Net income (loss) |
$ |
(41,255 |
) |
|
$ |
31,928 |
|
|
$ |
(471,887 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,009,494 |
) |
|
$ |
(65,761 |
) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
10,202 |
|
|
|
(134,616 |
) |
|
|
(1,795 |
) |
|
|
(158,402 |
) |
|
|
(165,609 |
) |
Interest expense, net |
|
99,476 |
|
|
|
92,627 |
|
|
|
402,535 |
|
|
|
379,434 |
|
|
|
101,779 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
87,716 |
|
|
|
98,733 |
|
|
|
360,047 |
|
|
|
409,582 |
|
|
|
90,061 |
|
EBITDA |
$ |
156,139 |
|
|
$ |
88,672 |
|
|
$ |
288,900 |
|
|
$ |
(378,880 |
) |
|
$ |
(39,530 |
) |
(Gain) loss on investments, net |
|
10,327 |
|
|
|
15,956 |
|
|
|
43,025 |
|
|
|
(75,523 |
) |
|
|
13,203 |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
8 |
|
|
|
97,305 |
|
|
|
1,577 |
|
|
|
97,305 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
1,394 |
|
|
|
(1,093 |
) |
|
|
926 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Equity in (earnings) loss of nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
7,010 |
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
6,998 |
|
|
|
2,646 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
Impairment charges |
|
— |
|
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
213,908 |
|
|
|
922,681 |
|
|
|
208,501 |
|
Other operating expense |
|
7,728 |
|
|
|
587 |
|
|
|
10,634 |
|
|
|
2,767 |
|
|
|
1,161 |
|
Restructuring expenses |
|
22,951 |
|
|
|
33,456 |
|
|
|
77,714 |
|
|
|
101,384 |
|
|
|
9,695 |
|
Share-based compensation expense |
|
16,202 |
|
|
|
8,348 |
|
|
|
44,104 |
|
|
|
32,311 |
|
|
|
11,613 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
220,298 |
|
|
$ |
246,208 |
|
|
$ |
685,767 |
|
|
$ |
705,617 |
|
|
$ |
204,754 |
|
Reconciliation of Cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow including net proceeds from real estate sales, and Free Cash Flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
156,255 |
|
|
$ |
1,212 |
|
|
$ |
92,583 |
|
|
$ |
71,429 |
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
(18,679 |
) |
|
|
(25,420 |
) |
|
|
(81,672 |
) |
|
|
(97,594 |
) |
Free cash flow |
$ |
137,576 |
|
|
$ |
(24,208 |
) |
|
$ |
10,911 |
|
|
$ |
(26,165 |
) |
Net proceeds from real estate sales1 |
|
19,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,999 |
|
|
|
210 |
|
Free cash flow including net proceeds from real estate sales |
$ |
157,575 |
|
|
$ |
(24,208 |
) |
|
$ |
30,910 |
|
|
$ |
(25,955 |
) |
Interest paid for the Debt Exchange Transaction2 |
|
— |
|
|
|
46,321 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
46,321 |
|
Debt Exchange Transaction fees2 |
|
— |
|
|
|
88,970 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
88,970 |
|
Free cash flow excluding the impacts of the Debt Exchange Transaction2 |
$ |
157,575 |
|
|
$ |
111,083 |
|
|
$ |
30,910 |
|
|
$ |
109,336 |
|
1 During the three months and year ended December 31, 2025, we deployed capital expenditures to accelerate the proactive streamlining of our real estate footprint aimed at reducing our structural cost base. This initiative has succeeded in making certain real estate assets redundant, enabling the Company to sell such assets to partially fund the initiative’s gross capital expenditures. |
2 We completed the Debt Exchange Transaction in the fourth quarter of 2024 which resulted in |
Reconciliation of Revenue to Revenue excluding Political Advertising
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|
Year Ended
|
|
% Change |
||||||||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
||||
Consolidated revenue |
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Excluding: Political revenue |
|
(12,217 |
) |
|
|
(82,673 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(29,592 |
) |
|
|
(153,212 |
) |
|
|
||
Consolidated revenue, excluding political |
$ |
1,115,010 |
|
|
$ |
1,035,596 |
|
|
7.7 |
% |
|
$ |
3,835,399 |
|
|
$ |
3,701,320 |
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Multiplatform Group revenue |
$ |
664,766 |
|
|
$ |
683,995 |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
2,273,549 |
|
|
$ |
2,372,909 |
|
|
(4.2 |
)% |
Excluding: Political revenue |
|
(6,979 |
) |
|
|
(41,186 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(17,821 |
) |
|
|
(73,289 |
) |
|
|
||
Multiplatform Group revenue, excluding political |
$ |
657,787 |
|
|
$ |
642,809 |
|
|
2.3 |
% |
|
$ |
2,255,728 |
|
|
$ |
2,299,620 |
|
|
(1.9 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Digital Audio Group revenue |
$ |
386,588 |
|
|
$ |
338,892 |
|
|
14.1 |
% |
|
$ |
1,329,422 |
|
|
$ |
1,164,515 |
|
|
14.2 |
% |
Excluding: Political revenue |
|
(2,311 |
) |
|
|
(6,076 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(5,302 |
) |
|
|
(12,880 |
) |
|
|
||
Digital Audio Group revenue, excluding political |
$ |
384,277 |
|
|
$ |
332,816 |
|
|
15.5 |
% |
|
$ |
1,324,120 |
|
|
$ |
1,151,635 |
|
|
15.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Audio & Media Group Services revenue |
$ |
78,881 |
|
|
$ |
97,755 |
|
|
(19.3 |
)% |
|
$ |
272,545 |
|
|
$ |
327,055 |
|
|
(16.7 |
)% |
Excluding: Political revenue |
|
(2,927 |
) |
|
|
(35,411 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(6,469 |
) |
|
|
(67,043 |
) |
|
|
||
Audio & Media Services Group revenue, excluding political |
$ |
75,954 |
|
|
$ |
62,344 |
|
|
21.8 |
% |
|
$ |
266,076 |
|
|
$ |
260,012 |
|
|
2.3 |
% |
Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt
(In thousands) |
December 31,
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ |
73,429 |
Long-term debt |
|
4,979,662 |
Total debt |
$ |
5,053,091 |
Less: Debt premium |
|
242,151 |
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
|
270,921 |
Net debt |
$ |
4,540,019 |
Segment Results
The following tables present the Company's segment results for the Company for the periods presented:
|
Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
Multiplatform
|
|
Digital
|
|
Audio &
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2025 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
664,766 |
|
|
$ |
386,588 |
|
|
$ |
78,881 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(3,008 |
) |
|
$ |
1,127,227 |
|
Less: Operating expenses(1) |
|
536,069 |
|
|
|
254,896 |
|
|
|
47,557 |
|
|
|
71,415 |
|
|
|
(3,008 |
) |
|
|
906,929 |
|
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
128,697 |
|
|
$ |
131,692 |
|
|
$ |
31,324 |
|
|
$ |
(71,415 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
220,298 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
34.1 |
% |
|
|
39.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.5 |
% |
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(87,716 |
) |
||||||||||
Impairment charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
||||||||||
Other operating expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,728 |
) |
||||||||||
Restructuring expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,951 |
) |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,202 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
85,701 |
|
||||||||||
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
Multiplatform
|
|
Digital
|
|
Audio &
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
683,995 |
|
|
$ |
338,892 |
|
|
$ |
97,755 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(2,373 |
) |
|
$ |
1,118,269 |
|
Less: Operating expenses(1) |
|
534,046 |
|
|
|
219,955 |
|
|
|
49,034 |
|
|
|
71,399 |
|
|
|
(2,373 |
) |
|
|
872,061 |
|
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
149,949 |
|
|
$ |
118,937 |
|
|
$ |
48,721 |
|
|
$ |
(71,399 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
246,208 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
21.9 |
% |
|
|
35.1 |
% |
|
|
49.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.0 |
% |
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(98,733 |
) |
||||||||||
Impairment charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(537 |
) |
||||||||||
Other operating expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(587 |
) |
||||||||||
Restructuring expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33,456 |
) |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,348 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
104,547 |
|
||||||||||
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
(1) |
Operating expenses consist of Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, excluding Restructuring expenses and share-based compensation expenses. |
|
Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
Multiplatform
|
|
Digital
|
|
Audio &
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
2,273,549 |
|
|
$ |
1,329,422 |
|
|
$ |
272,545 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(10,525 |
) |
|
$ |
3,864,991 |
|
Less: Operating expenses(1) |
|
1,859,329 |
|
|
|
872,731 |
|
|
|
179,117 |
|
|
|
278,572 |
|
|
|
(10,525 |
) |
|
|
3,179,224 |
|
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
414,220 |
|
|
$ |
456,691 |
|
|
$ |
93,428 |
|
|
$ |
(278,572 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
685,767 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
18.2 |
% |
|
|
34.4 |
% |
|
|
34.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.7 |
% |
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(360,047 |
) |
||||||||||
Impairment charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(213,908 |
) |
||||||||||
Other operating expense, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,634 |
) |
||||||||||
Restructuring expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(77,714 |
) |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,104 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(20,640 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.5)% |
|||||||||||
|
Segments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
Multiplatform
|
|
Digital
|
|
Audio &
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
2,372,909 |
|
|
$ |
1,164,515 |
|
|
$ |
327,055 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(9,947 |
) |
|
$ |
3,854,532 |
|
Less: Operating expenses(1) |
|
1,911,643 |
|
|
|
785,575 |
|
|
|
186,381 |
|
|
|
275,263 |
|
|
|
(9,947 |
) |
|
|
3,148,915 |
|
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
461,266 |
|
|
$ |
378,940 |
|
|
$ |
140,674 |
|
|
$ |
(275,263 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
705,617 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
19.4 |
% |
|
|
32.5 |
% |
|
|
43.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.3 |
% |
||||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(409,582 |
) |
||||||||||
Impairment charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(922,681 |
) |
||||||||||
Other operating income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,767 |
) |
||||||||||
Restructuring expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(101,384 |
) |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,311 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(763,108 |
) |
||||||||||
Operating margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19.8)% |
|||||||||||
(1) |
Operating expenses consist of Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses, excluding Restructuring expenses and share-based compensation expenses. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302019651/en/
For further information:
Media
Wendy Goldberg
Chief Communications Officer
(212) 377-1105
wendygoldberg@iheartmedia.com
Investors
Andrey Hart
SVP of Investor Relations
(703) 956-0115
andreyhart@iheartmedia.com
Source: iHeartMedia, Inc.