TextNow Adds iHeartRadio to the Free Flex Plan -- Stream Music and Radio Without Paying for Data
Rhea-AI Summary
iHeartMedia (Nasdaq: IHRT) and TextNow announced that iHeartRadio is now included in TextNow's Free Flex Plan. Users get included 5G data to stream music and live radio via iHeartRadio without separate data charges, as part of TextNow's ad-supported, flexible wireless service and free eSIM activation.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – IHRT
In the Jun 3 session, IHRT declined 5.74%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -4.9% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 16 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02 | Distribution partnership | Positive | -3.8% | LG Radio+ added 850+ iHeartRadio stations to LG Smart TVs. |
| May 21 | Content partnership | Positive | +2.7% | Netflix to stream The Breakfast Club live on weekdays. |
| May 19 | Sports partnership | Positive | -9.3% | iHeartRadio named Official Audio and Radio Partner of BFL. |
| May 13 | Sports media deal | Positive | +7.4% | FOX’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ audio coverage to run on iHeart platforms. |
| May 11 | Earnings update | Neutral | -11.7% | Q1 revenue rose but Adjusted EBITDA fell and free cash flow was negative. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent content and distribution partnerships have produced mixed price reactions, with several positive headlines followed by negative moves.
Over the last month, IHRT has focused on expanding iHeartRadio’s distribution and content reach through multiple partnerships. Deals with LG Radio+, Netflix’s live stream of The Breakfast Club, the Beach Football League, and FOX Sports’ FIFA World Cup 2026™ coverage all extended its audio footprint. Q1 2026 results showed revenue growth to $884.2 million but weaker Adjusted EBITDA and negative free cash flow. Today’s TextNow integration continues this theme of widening access to iHeartRadio across new platforms and devices.
Key Terms
esim technical
5g data technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
iHeartRadio joins the growing roster of select apps included in TextNow's free data ecosystem
The partnership marks TextNow's first major content integration and reflects the company's broader push to build a free content ecosystem into its wireless offering, giving customers a more flexible experience that aligns with how people actually use their phones today. Instead of locking people into rigid monthly plans, TextNow gives people the ability to activate data when they need it, scale it based on their lifestyle and stay connected on a reliable national 5G network.
The launch also builds on TextNow's recent rollout of eSIM and flexible data plans, making it faster and easier for people to activate service directly from the app. With iHeartRadio now included in the Free Flex experience, customers can activate a free eSIM and get immediate access to their music and radio catalog.
The integration is part of TextNow's larger strategy to create a more customizable wireless experience that gives people greater control over how they stay connected and when they choose to pay for data.
"People don't want their phone service locked into one rigid model anymore," said Derek Ting, CEO of TextNow. "At TextNow our mission is to make the old way of paying for a phone service obsolete. TextNow is continuing to find new ways to give customers more for free, and adding iHeartRadio to the Free Flex Plan is a perfect example of that in practice: more included, nothing owed. Music and streaming are part of everyday life, and this partnership is another step toward building a wireless experience that is more flexible, modern and built around how people actually use their phones."
With iHeartRadio, listeners can access thousands of live radio stations, playlists and personalized music stations across devices.
"iHeartRadio is built to be everywhere its listeners are -- in the car, at home, on the go, and now as part of their phone plan. TextNow is reaching millions of Americans who deserve the same access to great audio that everyone else has. This is the kind of partnership that puts listeners first, and we are proud to be TextNow's first audio content partner," said Michael Biondo, President, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships for iHeartMedia.
TextNow's Free Flex Plan includes nationwide talk and text, plus included 5G data access for select apps. Customers can upgrade their data plan when they need it without being tied to traditional monthly contracts or oversized wireless plans.
The iHeartRadio integration is now available to eligible Free Flex customers.
About TextNow
Founded in
About iHeartMedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with nine out of ten Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio in every month. iHeart's broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to both Podtrac and Triton, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, has the highest-reach and most engaged influencers, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/textnow-adds-iheartradio-to-the-free-flex-plan--stream-music-and-radio-without-paying-for-data-302790232.html
SOURCE TextNow