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Audacy, Inc. is an American broadcasting company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1968 as Entercom Communications Corp., it is the second largest radio company in the United States, owning over 220 radio stations across 47 .
In November 2017, the company merged with CBS Radio. The transaction was structured as an exchange offer whereby owners of CBS Corporation common shares (i.e., not the multiple-voting shares held by CBS Corp parent company National Amusements) at the time of the merger could elect to exchange their shares for Entercom shares corresponding to a 72% stake in the combined company. The company changed its name from Entercom to Audacy on March 30, 2021. On April 9, the ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange changed from "ETM" to "AUD". InsideRadio.com "Entercom Rebrands as Audacy" March 30, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
Audacy emerged from bankruptcy on September 30, 2024, and is now a privately owned company. The new ownership group includes Soros Fund Management (which has controlling interest) as part of their other audio investments.
In January 1999, Entercom went public in an IPO in which it raised around $236 million. In July 1999, the company purchased 43 radio stations from Sinclair Broadcast Group for $821.5 million in cash. It was Entercom's largest deal under that name. "Entercom inks Sinclair radio deal". Philadelphia Business Journal, August 2, 1999 The deal included stations in eight markets, Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee; New Orleans; Memphis, Tennessee; Buffalo, New York; Norfolk, Virginia; and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The deal more than doubled both the number of stations under the company's control, and the number of markets in which it had stations. The acquisition made Entercom the fifth-largest radio broadcaster in the United States, with 88 stations in 17 markets. That year, Entercom announced that it would direct its radio stations not to play songs that promoted violence.
On August 21, 2006, Entercom agreed to buy 15 mid-market stations from CBS Radio. Locations included Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Memphis, Tennessee; and Rochester, New York. Due to ownership limitations set by the FCC, Entercom had to sell three of its stations in the Rochester market; these were acquired by Stephens Media Group. Entercom Sells Three In Rochester, NY - Radio Ink (May 1, 2008) Shortly after the transaction, the company exited the Cincinnati market by trading all four of its stations in Cincinnati and three of its stations in Seattle in exchange for three stations in San Francisco in a deal with Bonneville International.
On December 8, 2014, Entercom announced its acquisition of Lincoln Financial Media for $105 million; the deal gave the company 14 additional stations in Atlanta; Denver; Miami; and San Diego. To comply with FCC ownership limits in the Denver market and DOJ antitrust concerns, Entercom entered into an exchange agreement with Bonneville under which Entercom exchanged four stations in Denver for classic rock station KSWD in Los Angeles and $5 million in additional consideration. The stations Entercom exchanged with Bonneville were KOSI-FM, KYGO-FM, KKFN-FM and KEPN-AM. Entercom previously owned KOSI-FM, while the remaining stations were acquired through the acquisition of LFM.
Entercom and Bonneville began operating the exchanged stations under time brokerage agreement (TBAs) once the LFM transaction was completed. In November 2015, the swap deal was closed successfully.
In October 2016, Entercom announced that it would acquire four radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Beasley Broadcast Group for $24 million in cash. The deal closed in January 2017 and WBT AM/FM, WLNK-FM and WFNZ-AM joined Entercom.
On August 3, 2017, Entercom announced the purchase of a 45% stake in Cadence13 (formerly DGital Media), a Startup company that handled ad sales and distribution for podcasts, including Pod Save America, Recode Decode and The Tony Kornheiser Show.
On February 13, 2019, Entercom announced that it would trade its Indianapolis cluster (WNTR, WXNT, and WZPL) to Cumulus Media for WXBK (now WXBK) in New York City, WMAS-FM in Enfield, Connecticut, and WHLL in Springfield, Massachusetts. Both companies began operating their newly acquired stations via LMA on March 1; the swap was completed on May 13, 2019.
In March 2021, Entercom acquired podcast ad network Podcorn in a deal valued at $22.5 million. The company also reached a long-term licensing agreement with Global Music Rights (GMR), allowing the company to perform all of the songs from songwriters and publishers represented by the performance rights organization.
In 2007, Entercom station KDND was sued after a participant in a "Hold Your Wee For a Wii" contest held by the station's morning show died of water intoxication.
On September 26, 2017, KSOQ-FM, WGGY and KSWD were sold to the Educational Media Foundation. KSWD and WGGI affiliated with the EMF's K-Love Christian music network, and KSOQ with its Air1 network.
To comply with federal ownership caps, Entercom stated that it would divest at least 15 stations. On November 1, 2017, Entercom announced a settlement with the Department of Justice, which allowed the merger with CBS Radio. The company also announced a series of asset exchange agreements with iHeartMedia and Beasley Broadcast Group in Boston, Seattle, Richmond and Chattanooga; and local marketing agreements with Bonneville International Corporation in San Francisco and Sacramento.
| + Stations divested to iHeartMedia ! style="width:20%" | Location ! style="width:20%" | Owner ! style="width:40%" | Station ! style="width:40%" | Format |
| News | ||||
| Classic Rock | ||||
| Urban Adult Contemporary | ||||
| News/Talk | ||||
| Sports | ||||
| Adult Hits | ||||
| Classic Rock | ||||
| + iHeartMedia stations acquired by Entercom ! style="width:20%" | Location ! style="width:40%" | Station ! style="width:40%" | Format |
| Adult Hits | |||
| Top 40 | |||
| Active Rock | |||
| Country | |||
| Urban | |||
| Sports | |||
| News/Talk | |||
| Top 40 | |||
| Alternative Rock | |||
| Adult Contemporary | |||
| + Stations divested to Beasley ! style="width:20%" | Location ! style="width:20%" | Owner ! style="width:40%" | Station ! style="width:40%" | Format |
| Sports | ||||
| + Beasley stations acquired by Entercom ! style="width:20%" | Location ! style="width:40%" | Station ! style="width:40%" | Format |
| Adult Contemporary | |||
| + Stations operated by, and later sold to, Bonneville ! style="width:20%" | Location ! style="width:20%" | Owner ! style="width:40%" | Station ! style="width:40%" | Format |
| Top 40 | ||||
| Urban Adult Contemporary | ||||
| Adult Contemporary | ||||
| Classic Rock | ||||
| Sports | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Adult Contemporary | ||||
| Hot Adult Contemporary | ||||
On November 9, 2017, the FCC gave the final approval needed for the Entercom merger by granting two 6-month waivers for market station limits in Miami and San Francisco. The merger occurred at midnight on November 17, 2017. Later that day, Entercom would switch WINS-FM in New York to alternative. This would then be followed up by WJMK in Chicago's switch to classic hip-hop and KVIL in Dallas-Ft. Worth's flip to alternative. The company also introduced a new corporate logo as well as other corporate strategy changes. The Entercom Divestiture Trust then entered into agreements with Bonneville International to operate its stations on their behalf.
Shortly afterward, the company announced renewed radio broadcasting partnerships with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Eagles. The company also has partnerships with additional professional teams including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Red Wings.
On July 19, 2018, Entercom announced that it would acquire Philadelphia market-leader WBEB from Jerry Lee Radio for $57.5 million. WXTU was divested back to its previous owner, Beasley Broadcast Group, to comply with ownership limits.
On August 3, 2018, Entercom announced that Bonneville would buy all eight stations for $141 million, which the company had been operating under LMA since after the merger with CBS Radio. The deal was completed on September 21, 2018.
Following the termination of its deal with United States Traffic Network, Entercom launched an internal Traffic Weather and Information Network (TWIN) in August 2018.
In February 2019 Radio.com Sports was created, featuring appearances from experts on Entercom sports stations across the country. Mercedes-Benz was the first sponsor to sign on as a brand partner.
On August 19, 2019, Entercom launched the Radio.com Sports Digital Network, a collection of daily live audio and video programming from the company’s sports stations. Later that month, Paul Suchman became the company’s Chief Marketing Officer.
In September 2019, Entercom partnered with Apple to integrate access to Radio.com stations via Siri (on the iOS 13 update) and Apple Music. In November, it also released a capsule for Samsung Bixby.
Radio.com was relaunched as the Audacy app and website as part of the company’s 2021 rebrand.
Early in 2020, Entercom opened a HD Radio Sound Space in Los Angeles as an event space and home for future live events. The space was opened with a live performance from Coldplay.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Entercom developed the Stay Connected programming that included "Heroes & Difference Makers," and "Love Local," and “I'm Listening: Stay Connected," a daily digital series on mental health hosted by "LOVELINE"'s Dr. Chris Donaghue.
In 2022, Audacy announced plans to open a new studio on Broadway in Nashville, as part of the company’s partnership with Hard Rock International. The studio opened in September 2024.
In February 2023, Audacy released a ground-breaking study alongside research and analytics platform Veritonic that highlights how to make audio ads most effective.
In March 2024, Audacy introduced dynamic AI and machine learning into its Ad Tech stack to help brands more precisely target podcast consumers. This capability will allow advertising partners to target messages that are aligned with podcast content.
In early January 2024, it was announced that Audacy would be preparing to file for bankruptcy within the upcoming weeks. On January 7, 2024, Audacy filed for prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of the bankruptcy reorganization, Audacy has made a deal with its creditors to transfer control to them while cutting approximately $1.6 billion of its debt.
On September 30, 2024, Audacy completed its financial restructuring, implementing a consensual, deleveraging transaction that equitized approximately $1.6 billion of funded debt, a reduction of 80% from approximately $1.9 billion to $350 million. The company emerged from bankruptcy with a total net leverage of approximately 2.7x, differentiated by its premium audio content.
In September 2020 Clark Atlanta University partnered with Entercom, to give Mass Media Arts Students at the university access to company representatives in programming, sales, digital, and on-air talent.
On October 21, 2020, Entercom announced a partnership with the National Urban League to advance racial justice and equity in the communities they serve.
In 2020, Radio.com established partnerships with SoundHound Inc and Beasley Media Group.
Also in 2020, streaming platform Twitch added the video feeds from a number of Radio.com's sports stations with branded channels and General Motors added Radio.com to its in-dash application in Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac vehicles.
We Can Do Hard Things, a twice-weekly podcast hosted by #1 New York Times bestselling author Glennon Doyle, her wife Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle joined Audacy in May 2021. In its first year, it was the #1 top new show on Apple Podcasts.
In August 2021, Audacy announced a content distribution partnership with Urban One to bring premium live and on-demand audio content to the Audacy digital platform. The company announced a similar deal with Cumulus Media that same year.
Audacy acquired an exclusive, perpetual license to WideOrbit’s digital audio streaming technology, related assets and operations of WO Streaming in October 2021. Audacy now operates WO Streaming under the name AmperWave.
In December 2021, Audacy announced a multi-faceted partnership with Hard Rock International. As part of the deal, Audacy and HRI partner on live events at a new performance space in New York City, as well as music festivals and Hard Rock Cafe events around the country.
In January 2022, Audacy announced a content distribution partnership with Samsung that made Audacy’s entire podcast library available on Samsung platforms. That same month, Audacy partnered with Dana Carvey and David Spade for Fly on the Wall, a weekly Saturday Night Live-focused podcast. In February 2024, Audacy launched a weekly extension of the show called Superfly.
In August 2022, Audacy and CBS Sports Digital announced a partnership where Audacy will be the exclusive, multi-year ad sales and distribution partner for CBS Sports' leading network of award-winning sports podcasts.
In May 2023, Audacy announced a content distribution partnership with Allen Media Group. Through this new partnership, Audacy launched three new audio streams dedicated to three Allen Media Group weather and climate news networks: The Weather Channel television network, Pattrn and The Weather Channel en Español.
In September 2023, Audacy announced a content distribution partnership with Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) that will bring SBS’ complete portfolio of 13 stations to the Audacy app.
In September 2023, Audacy partnered with Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions for a three-season improvised comedy podcast franchise parodying and paying homage to popular themes in the podcast space including Say More with Dr? Sheila starring Poehler as a fictional therapist with questionable methods and credentials counseling a new couple every week.
In November 2023, HBO’s Succession Podcast, created by Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios, won Adweek’s Podcast of the Year award.
In December 2023, Audacy and CBS stations announced a content distribution partnership that made audio simulcasts of the television news streams from 14 CBS-owned stations available on the Audacy app.
In February 2024, Audacy announced a content distribution partnership with internet radio network Live365. As part of the partnership, content from hundreds of Live365 stations spanning multiple genres became available on the Audacy platform.
In March 2024, Audacy partnered with Super Wi-Fi
In April 2024, Audacy announced a partnership with voice AI company ElevenLabs.
In July 2024, Audacy Podcasts partnered with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey to handle sales, distribution, and production for their series, "Office Ladies".
In October 2024, Audacy partnered with Experian to track audience data and gain a more comprehensive view of listeners’ digital identifiers. By better understanding its consumers and their preferences, the company can provide more relevant content and offer more precise advertising solutions.
In July 2023, Audacy announced Launch, a music discovery program designed to spotlight emerging artists. Through broadcast and digital airplay, on-air artist vignettes, digital editorial and social content, Audacy introduces new artists to its millions of listeners and followers. The program commenced with three Launch Artists: Jelly Roll, Warren Zeiders and Doechii.
In May 2024, Audacy announced “On The Record,” a new album release initiative for the biggest stars in music.
The Audacy app, formerly known as Radio.com, is an integrated digital platform offering over 230 locally programmed radio stations and their websites. Audacy currently has over 1,000 stations from more than 100 markets
On April 23, 2020, Radio.com streams were added to Sonos Radio, available in over 10 million homes globally. A week later, Radio.com was added to Comcast televisions.
The entire lineup of Locked On podcasts was added to Radio.com on February 10, 2021, following a content distribution partnership.
The Radio.com app became the Audacy when the company rebranded on March 30, 2021.
In March 2022, The Audacy Digital Audience Network (ADAN) launched. This addressable aggregate of over 60 million listeners that other audio platforms and streaming platforms do not reach targets precise audiences at scale and delivers high-performing digital audio media strategies for Audacy’s advertising partners.
In June 2023, Audacy extended digital distribution of its 250+ stations and entire podcast library to TuneIn. The deal expanded content availability to over 200 additional platforms and connected vehicles and devices, including Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Bose, Samsung and Xbox, as well as on the TuneIn mobile app and TuneIn.com.
In 2019, Entercom announced its acquisition of Pineapple Street Media, a podcast producer, and the remaining portion of Cadence13. In 2021, Entercom acquired podcast ad network Podcorn, a deal valued at $22.5 million.
In March 2024, Audacy began to consolidate its podcast business under the new name Audacy Podcasts. The company sunsetted Cadence13 and 2400Sports as standalone, branded studios. Pineapple Street Studios remained as Audacy’s premium production studio for third-party partners: HBO, Netflix, Nike, Amazon Music/Wondery, and Spotify.
On June 26, 2025, Audacy announced the shutdown of Pineapple Street Studios.
The platform was founded by Agnes Kozera and David Kierzkowski following the acquisition by Google of their previous company FameBit, the leading marketplace for video influencers where brands and YouTube stars collaborated for branded content.
In late 2020, Entercom expanded into sports betting with a six-year partnership to make FanDuel its official sportsbook. As part of the deal, FanDuel promotions and betting odds would be aired on Entercom stations. The gaming brand would also have access to Entercom talent in markets where both companies operate.
Just weeks after announcing a partnership with FanDuel, Entercom acquired sports data and iGaming affiliate platform QL Gaming Group in an all-cash deal for approximately $32 million. Following the acquisition of QL Gaming Group, Entercom launched “BetQL Network” on RADIO.COM on January 25, 2021. The network serves as home for the company’s sports betting content from its sports stations nationwide and is currently available over-the-air in several markets nationwide and digitally via the Audacy app.
In March 2021, Entercom and Rush Street Interactive (RSI) reached a multi-year partnership surrounding several sports betting audio initiatives. As part of this agreement, BetRivers, RSI’s flagship brand and online sportsbook, will be the official title sponsor of Radio.com’s You Better You Bet podcast.
In June 2022, BetMGM became the exclusive sportsbook of BetQL Network.
In September 2018, Entercom's social responsibility platform Entercom Serves began in order to focus on important issues in the communities the company serves including children’s health, diversity, civic education, the environment, mental health and the military community. Later that year, Entercom launched CHANNEL Q, an LGBTQ+ Talk Radio Network providing LGBTQ+ news and information, pop culture and new music.
Each year, Audacy conducts volunteer events nationwide as part of its 1Day1Thing initiative. The series of events engage employees across the company and aim to make a positive impact on the communities in which the company serves and the planet.
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