iHeartMedia Beats Q1 Revenue Views as Digital Audio Growth Lifts Sales; IHRT Rises

iHeartMedia Inc. (NASDAQ: IHRT) reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $884.2 million, up 9.6% from a year earlier and above Wall Street expectations, as digital audio and podcasting growth offset softer late-quarter advertising demand. The company posted a GAAP loss of $0.61 per share, 13.8% worse than analysts’ consensus estimates. Adjusted EBITDA missed expectations, which management attributed partly to the timing of noncash marketing expenses tied to partnership campaigns and weaker advertiser sentiment in March 2026. Management reaffirmed full-year adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow targets, citing $50 million in new annualized cost savings, expected political advertising growth in the second half of 2026 and continued investment in programmatic advertising. Shares recently traded at $5.50, up from $5.32 before the earnings release.