Company Description
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is a U.S.-based out-of-home (OOH) advertising company. According to its public statements, the company focuses on using a dynamic advertising platform to connect brands with consumers across high-traffic environments. Clear Channel Outdoor describes itself as being at the forefront of driving innovation in the out-of-home advertising industry by expanding digital billboards and displays and integrating data analytics and programmatic capabilities to deliver measurable campaigns that are simpler to buy. By leveraging the scale, reach and flexibility of its diverse portfolio of assets, it reports connecting advertisers with millions of consumers every month.
Business model and core operations
Clear Channel Outdoor states that its platform broadens the pool of advertisers using the OOH medium through the expansion of digital billboards and displays and the use of data analytics and programmatic buying tools. The company explains that these capabilities are intended to make campaigns more measurable and easier to purchase. Its assets include roadside billboards and other out-of-home displays, and its operations are organized into reportable segments that include an America segment and an Airports segment.
In information provided to investors, the company identifies its America segment as covering U.S. operations excluding airports, and its Airports segment as covering airport advertising operations in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Earlier descriptions of the business also reference an "Other" category. Clear Channel Outdoor has reported that a majority of its revenue is generated from the America segment, which sells advertising on printed and digital out-of-home displays.
Out-of-home advertising assets
Clear Channel Outdoor’s portfolio includes printed and digital out-of-home advertising displays. In prior disclosures, the company has described its inventory as including bulletins, posters, street furniture and other formats. The company has also highlighted its presence in airport environments through its Airports Division, which it refers to as its Americas-based airports business.
As of a recent reporting date, Clear Channel Outdoor stated that it operated more than 61,200 print and digital out-of-home advertising displays and had a presence in 81 Designated Market Areas (DMAs) in the U.S., including 43 of the top 50 U.S. markets. Within this footprint, the company reported that its America segment had a presence in 28 U.S. DMAs and that its Airports segment operated displays across nearly 200 commercial and private airports in the U.S. and the Caribbean. These figures illustrate the scale of the company’s display network as reported in its financial materials.
America and Airports segments
Clear Channel Outdoor’s segment reporting provides additional detail on how it views its business. The America segment generates revenue from the sale of advertising on printed and digital out-of-home displays, which include bulletins, posters, street furniture and other formats. The company has reported growth in both print and digital billboard revenue within this segment and has highlighted the role of new boards under contracts such as its roadside billboard contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as well as advertiser demand in markets including the San Francisco/Bay Area.
The Airports segment focuses on airport media. Clear Channel Outdoor’s Airports Division has described itself as the Americas-based airports business of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. The company has announced airport advertising partnerships and contracts, such as a new eight-year partnership with Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR) to launch a digitally driven media network, and a new 10-year contract (with a five-year renewal option) with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority covering Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). These arrangements are presented by the company as part of its strategy to evolve airport advertising programs and increase digital coverage.
Digital transformation and data capabilities
In multiple public communications, Clear Channel Outdoor emphasizes the expansion of its digital footprint and the integration of data analytics and programmatic capabilities. The company states that its dynamic advertising platform is broadening the pool of advertisers by making campaigns more measurable and simpler to buy. It also refers to data-driven and programmatic sales as contributing to digital revenue growth in its segments.
Within airport environments, the company has described plans to implement a nearly 100% digital platform at Hollywood-Burbank Airport, featuring themed design elements and high-resolution screens capable of anamorphic and ultra-high-definition content. At Washington Reagan National and Washington Dulles airports, Clear Channel Outdoor has committed to accelerating its digital strategy, with a stated goal of achieving 85% digital advertising coverage within two years under a new contract. The company has highlighted specific digital formats such as transparent digital LumiGlass, Prism360 digital columns and large-format LED video walls as part of these upgrades.
Geographic focus and portfolio evolution
Clear Channel Outdoor’s disclosures indicate a focus on its America and Airports businesses in the U.S. The company has reported that it is simplifying and de-risking its business to focus on these areas while paying down debt. As part of this process, it has announced divestitures of certain international operations. For example, the company reported that it completed the sale of its business in Brazil to Publibanca Brasil S.A., an affiliate of Eletromidia S.A., and stated that this transaction marked the exit of its business in Latin America. It also disclosed that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its business in Spain to Atresmedia Corporación de Medios de Comunicación, S.A., with the transaction expected to close upon regulatory approval.
Clear Channel Outdoor has stated that it intends to use net proceeds from these sales, after payment of transaction-related fees and expenses, to reduce outstanding debt, improve liquidity and increase financial flexibility, consistent with its stated goal of simplifying its portfolio and focusing on its U.S.-based segments.
Capital structure and financing activities
The company’s SEC filings describe significant financing transactions. On August 4, 2025, Clear Channel Outdoor reported that it completed the sale of 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 and 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2033 in a private placement. These notes are governed by indentures that set out their terms, including maturity dates, interest rates, redemption provisions and collateral arrangements. The company has stated that it intends to use the net proceeds from these notes, together with cash on hand, to redeem existing senior secured notes due 2027 and 2028 and to pay related transaction fees and expenses.
In other disclosures, the company has described repurchases of certain outstanding senior notes in the open market at a discount, and it has provided information on its cash and cash equivalents, as well as net cash provided by operating, investing and financing activities over specified periods. These details illustrate how Clear Channel Outdoor manages its capital structure and liquidity, as reported in its filings.
Corporate governance and executive agreements
Clear Channel Outdoor’s recent Form 8-K filings include information on executive employment agreements. For example, the company reported entering into a second amended and restated employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer, effective as of January 1, 2026, with an initial term ending on January 1, 2030 and provisions for automatic extensions. The filing outlines compensation terms, bonus eligibility, equity incentive targets, severance arrangements and post-employment covenants such as confidentiality, non-interference, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions.
Similarly, the company disclosed a second amended and restated employment agreement with its Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary, with details on base salary, bonus targets, equity incentives, severance terms and restrictive covenants. These filings provide insight into the company’s approach to executive compensation and retention.
Community and nonprofit partnerships
Beyond its commercial activities, Clear Channel Outdoor has highlighted collaborations with nonprofit and community organizations that use its out-of-home media platform. For instance, the company announced a strategic, multiphase partnership with The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center). This partnership includes a national digital billboard campaign around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and future phases that will draw on The King Center’s historic archives to display visuals related to Dr. King and the American Civil Rights Movement on digital billboards in Atlanta and nationwide.
The company has also reported partnering with Blood Cancer United (formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) on an out-of-home campaign to introduce the organization’s new name and brand identity, with messages displayed across multiple major U.S. cities and on digital billboards in Times Square. In another initiative, Clear Channel Outdoor has supported the Lights On Afterschool rally by donating digital billboard space and other out-of-home inventory to highlight the role of afterschool programs.
These examples, drawn from the company’s news releases, illustrate how Clear Channel Outdoor positions its media network as a platform for public service and awareness campaigns in addition to commercial advertising.
Stock listing and regulatory status
According to its SEC filings, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. has common stock registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The filings indicate that its common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CCO. The filings also show that the company is not classified as an emerging growth company. There is no indication in the provided filings of a delisting, deregistration or bankruptcy event.
FAQs about Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO)
- What does Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. do?
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. operates an out-of-home advertising business. The company states that it uses a dynamic advertising platform, including printed and digital displays, to connect advertisers with consumers in high-traffic locations. - How does Clear Channel Outdoor describe its advertising platform?
The company describes its platform as dynamic and focused on expanding digital billboards and displays, integrating data analytics and programmatic capabilities to deliver measurable campaigns that are simpler to buy. - What are Clear Channel Outdoor’s main business segments?
In its disclosures, Clear Channel Outdoor identifies an America segment, covering U.S. operations excluding airports, and an Airports segment, covering airport advertising operations in the U.S. and the Caribbean. It also references an "Other" category in its segment reporting. - Where does Clear Channel Outdoor operate its displays?
The company has reported operating more than 61,200 print and digital out-of-home advertising displays, with a presence in 81 U.S. Designated Market Areas, including 43 of the top 50 U.S. markets. Its Airports segment operates displays across nearly 200 commercial and private airports in the U.S. and the Caribbean. - On which stock exchange does CCO trade?
According to its SEC filings, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CCO. - How is Clear Channel Outdoor changing its geographic portfolio?
The company has reported divestitures of certain international businesses, including the completed sale of its Brazil business and a definitive agreement to sell its business in Spain. It has stated that these steps are part of a strategy to simplify and de-risk its business and focus on its America and Airports segments in the U.S. - What types of airport advertising projects has Clear Channel Outdoor announced?
The company has announced an eight-year partnership to create a digitally driven media network at Hollywood-Burbank Airport and a new long-term contract with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority covering Reagan National and Dulles airports, with plans to increase digital coverage and introduce new digital formats. - How does Clear Channel Outdoor use data and programmatic tools?
In its public statements, Clear Channel Outdoor highlights the integration of data analytics and programmatic capabilities into its advertising platform. The company states that these tools help deliver measurable campaigns and broaden the pool of advertisers using out-of-home media. - What community and nonprofit initiatives does Clear Channel Outdoor support?
News releases describe partnerships with organizations such as The King Center, Blood Cancer United and the Afterschool Alliance. In these collaborations, Clear Channel Outdoor donates or uses its digital billboards and other displays to run awareness and public service campaigns. - How does Clear Channel Outdoor describe its financial and capital strategy?
Through SEC filings and press releases, the company has discussed issuing senior secured notes, repurchasing certain outstanding notes and using proceeds from asset sales to reduce debt, improve liquidity and increase financial flexibility.