Triton Digital
2021
$230M
Why
Bought audio ad-tech and measurement company Triton Digital from E.W. Scripps for $230 million.
iHeartMedia, Inc.
Radio Broadcasting and Digital Audio EntertainmentFounded 1972- HQ today: San Antonio, Texas
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Acquisitions
iHeartMedia Acquisitions
8
Major Deals Covered
$285M
Disclosed Deal Value
What are iHeartMedia's biggest acquisitions?
iHeartMedia's largest disclosed acquisition here is Triton Digital for $230M in 2021. This page covers 8 major deals from 1975 to 2021, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 8
- Largest deal
- Triton Digital ($230M)
- First deal
- 1975
- Most recent
- 2021
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOAI | 1975 | Undisclosed | Bought WOAI, a San Antonio 50,000-watt clear-channel AM station; the signal class inspired the Clear Channel name. |
| WPMI | 1988 | Undisclosed | iHeartMedia acquired WPMI in 1988. |
| KITN-TV | 1993 | Undisclosed | iHeartMedia acquired KITN-TV in 1993. |
| WPRI-TV | 1996 | Undisclosed | iHeartMedia acquired WPRI-TV in 1996. |
| Jacor Communications | 1999 | Undisclosed | Merger with Jacor Communications during the post-1996 radio consolidation, adding hundreds of stations and Premiere Radio Networks. |
| AMFM Inc. | 2000 | Undisclosed | Merger that made Clear Channel the largest U.S. radio owner, with about 1,200 stations. |
| Stuff Media | 2018 | $55.0M | Bought the HowStuffWorks podcast network (Stuff You Should Know) for $55 million, anchoring iHeartPodcasts. |
| Triton Digital | 2021 | $230.0M | Bought audio ad-tech and measurement company Triton Digital from E.W. Scripps for $230 million. |
- What companies has iHeartMedia bought?
- Major acquisitions by iHeartMedia documented here include Triton Digital (2021), Stuff Media (2018), AMFM Inc. (2000), Jacor Communications (1999) and WPRI-TV (1996).
- What is iHeartMedia's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent iHeartMedia acquisition documented here is Triton Digital, in 2021, for $230M.
Stuff Media
2018
$55M
Why
Bought the HowStuffWorks podcast network (Stuff You Should Know) for $55 million, anchoring iHeartPodcasts.
AMFM Inc.
2000
Why
Merger that made Clear Channel the largest U.S. radio owner, with about 1,200 stations.
Jacor Communications
1999
Why
Merger with Jacor Communications during the post-1996 radio consolidation, adding hundreds of stations and Premiere Radio Networks.
WPRI-TV
1996
Why
iHeartMedia acquired WPRI-TV in 1996.
KITN-TV
1993
Why
iHeartMedia acquired KITN-TV in 1993.
WPMI
1988
Why
iHeartMedia acquired WPMI in 1988.
WOAI
1975
Why
Bought WOAI, a San Antonio 50,000-watt clear-channel AM station; the signal class inspired the Clear Channel name.
iHeartMedia, Inc.'s Growth & Acquisition Strategy
iHeartMedia's growth plan rests on four moves: (1) keep podcast revenue growing at double-digit rates by building new talent-led shows and promoting them on the radio; (2) sell more inventory programmatically, with programmatic revenue targeted at about $200 million in 2026, up roughly 50%; (3) open new video distribution, such as the Netflix partnership and video podcasts on other streaming services including Disney+ and Hulu; and (4) cut costs through automation and AI tools, with $125 million of in-year savings targeted for 2026.
How iHeartMedia, Inc. Makes Money
iHeartMedia earns almost all of its money from advertising, sold through two reporting segments plus a smaller services unit. The Multiplatform Group sells local and national spots on about 860 AM/FM stations, plus network and syndicated programming through Premiere Networks and sponsorships around events. In 2025, broadcast radio brought in $1.633 billion, networks $439.8 million and sponsorship and events $182.0 million. The Digital Audio Group sells ads in podcasts and in streaming on the iHeartRadio app and partner platforms. That segment made $1.329 billion in 2025 ($563.7 million from podcasts) and had the highest margins in the company, with a segment Adjusted EBITDA margin of 33.8% in Q2 2026. The Audio & Media Services Group, made up of Katz Media representation and Triton Digital ad technology and measurement, added $272.5 million. Listeners pay nothing; advertisers pay for reach, and more of that buying now happens programmatically. iHeart expects about $200 million of programmatic revenue in 2026.
iHeartMedia Acquisitions FAQ
Why did iHeartMedia acquire Stuff Media (HowStuffWorks) for $55 million in 2018?
In October 2018, iHeartMedia acquired Stuff Media (parent company of HowStuffWorks) for $55 million. The deal brought well-known podcast hits including 'Stuff You Should Know,' 'Stuff You Missed in History Class,' and 'BrainStuff,' instantly catapulting iHeart into the #1 podcast publisher position.
What was the strategic acquisition of Triton Digital for $230 million in 2021?
In April 2021, iHeartMedia acquired Triton Digital from EW Scripps for $230 million, securing the world's premier digital audio supply-side platform (SSP), podcast measurement service, and programmatic ad exchange.
How did the acquisition of Voxnest and Spreaker in 2020 expand iHeartMedia's podcast tech?
In 2020, iHeartMedia acquired Voxnest (including podcast publishing and monetization platform Spreaker), providing automated dynamic ad insertion, automated audio editing tools, and programmatic inventory monetization for independent podcasters.
What was the acquisition of Jelli in 2018 and how did it automate radio advertising?
In 2018, iHeartMedia acquired programmatic radio ad platform Jelli, transforming traditional broadcast radio advertising by enabling programmatic, cloud-based automated ad buying across hundreds of broadcast stations.
What was the transformational acquisition of AMFM Inc. by Clear Channel in 2000?
In 2000, Clear Channel completed the historic $24 billion acquisition of AMFM Inc. (founded by Tom Hicks), adding 440 top-market radio stations and creating the largest radio broadcasting group in American history.
How did iHeartMedia acquire Sounder in 2022 for AI-powered brand safety in podcasts?
In 2022, iHeartMedia acquired an equity stake and partnered with Sounder, integrating its AI-driven contextual intelligence and Brand Safety & Suitability tools to automatically transcribe and verify podcast content for brand advertisers.
Why did Clear Channel acquire Jacor Communications in 1999 for $4.4 billion?
In 1999, Clear Channel acquired Jacor Communications for $4.4 billion, adding 230 radio stations and Premiere Radio Networks, securing syndicated rights to well-known national personalities like Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura.
What is iHeartMedia's current strategic criteria for M&A activity?
iHeartMedia targets tuck-in acquisitions of proprietary ad-tech software, AI audio transcription and contextual targeting tools, and high-margin podcast slate intellectual property that can be monetized across its multiplatform network.
What companies has iHeartMedia acquired?
To survive the decline of terrestrial radio, iHeart executed massive digital acquisitions. In 2018, they executed a highly strategic $55 million acquisition of Stuff Media (creators of the "HowStuffWorks" podcast empire), instantly making iHeart the largest commercial podcast publisher. In 2021, they bought Triton Digital for $230 million to dominate global audio ad-tech.
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