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Brief

iHeartMedia Podcast Network

Podcast Advertising & Audio MediaDivision· part of iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia Podcast Network offers advertisers unparalleled scale and targeting by combining one of the world's largest podcast catalogs with iHeartMedia's broadcast radio reach and SmartAudio data platform. Brands can execute integrated audio campaigns across podcasts, streaming, and broadcast from a single partner.

Last updated Jun 23, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jun 29, 2026

Founded
2005
HQ
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Connections
5

At a glance

Employees
10001+
Revenue
$100M–$500M (podcast segment estimate)
Stock
IHRT
4integrations1corporate family

About

One of the top two or three largest podcast networks globally by downloads and advertiser revenue, with unmatched cross-channel audio reach in the United States.

iHeartMedia Podcast Network operates as the podcast arm of iHeartMedia, Inc., the largest audio media company in the United States. The network produces, distributes, and monetizes a vast catalog of original and partner podcasts spanning news, true crime, comedy, sports, and entertainment. With hundreds of millions of downloads per month, iHeartMedia consistently ranks among the top podcast publishers globally, competing directly with Spotify and Amazon/Audible for audience share and advertiser dollars. The network leverages iHeartMedia's deep-rooted relationships with national and local advertisers, its proprietary SmartAudio data platform, and its cross-channel reach across broadcast radio, streaming, and digital audio to offer advertisers uniquely scaled podcast advertising solutions. The company has grown its podcast portfolio through both organic content development and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Stuff Media (HowStuffWorks) in 2018, which significantly expanded its content library. In the AdTech ecosystem, iHeartMedia Podcast Network is significant because it bridges traditional broadcast advertising infrastructure with modern programmatic and host-read podcast advertising. Its SmartAudio targeting capabilities allow advertisers to use first-party and third-party data to reach specific audience segments across podcast and radio inventory simultaneously, making it a powerful platform for audio-first advertising strategies at scale.

Business model

Media Network / Advertising

Target market

Enterprise

What they offer

  • iHeartPodcast Network

    A curated portfolio of hundreds of original and partner podcasts across genres including news, true crime, comedy, sports, and entertainment, distributed via the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.

  • SmartAudio

    iHeartMedia's proprietary data and targeting platform that enables advertisers to reach specific audience segments across podcast, streaming, and broadcast radio inventory using first- and third-party data.

  • Host-Read Advertising

    Native, host-read ad integrations within top-tier podcast shows, offering high engagement and brand recall for advertisers.

  • Programmatic Podcast Advertising

    Automated, data-driven ad buying across iHeartMedia's podcast inventory, enabling dynamic ad insertion at scale.

  • Branded Podcast Production

    Custom podcast content creation services for brand partners, leveraging iHeartMedia's production studios and talent relationships.

  • iHeartRadio App Distribution

    Proprietary distribution channel with tens of millions of registered users, providing an owned platform for podcast discovery and listening.

Key features

Cross-channel audio advertising spanning podcasts, streaming radio, and broadcast radioSmartAudio first-party data targetingDynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) technologyHost-read and native ad formatsBranded content and custom podcast productionMassive owned-and-operated distribution via iHeartRadio appIntegrated measurement and attribution reportingProgrammatic buying capabilities

Use cases

National brand awareness campaigns across audio channelsTargeted direct-response podcast advertising using audience dataBranded podcast series creation for content marketingCross-channel audio retargeting combining broadcast and podcastLocal and regional advertiser campaigns leveraging iHeart's radio station networkSponsorship of top-tier original podcast programming

Customer segments

Fortune 500 national brand advertisersDirect-to-consumer (DTC) brandsFinancial services advertisersAutomotive advertisersRetail and e-commerce brandsHealthcare and pharmaceutical advertisersMedia and entertainment companiesPolitical and advocacy advertisers

Tech & specs

Technology stack

Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI)SmartAudio data platformProgrammatic ad servingFirst-party listener data infrastructurePodcast hosting and distribution infrastructureAttribution and measurement integrations (Podsights, Chartable-equivalent tools)iHeartRadio streaming platform

Security & compliance

CCPAGDPRIAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines

Deployment

Cloud

API

Limited

Corporate history
  1. 2005 · Founded
Connection details

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