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iHeartMedia 2025 Q1 Earnings Misses Targets as Net Loss Widens 1451.2%
Generated by AI AgentAinvest Earnings Report Digest
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 6:55 am ET2min read
iHeartMedia (IHRT) reported its fiscal 2025 Q1 earnings on May 12th, 2025. The company missed expectations with a significant widening of net losses. Despite a 1% increase in revenue, iHeartMedia's net loss and EPS both declined substantially compared to the previous year. The company maintained its guidance for Q2, anticipating revenue declines in several segments while projecting growth in its Digital Audio Group. Overall, iHeartMedia's financial results and guidance reflect challenges in the current economic environment.
Revenue
Total revenue for in Q1 2025 rose by 1.0% to $807.10 million, compared to $799.04 million in Q1 2024. Broadcast Radio contributed $340.74 million, while Networks added $99.46 million. Sponsorship and Events brought in $28.62 million, and Other segments contributed $4.16 million. The Digital Audio Group generated $277.29 million, with Digital, excluding Podcast, at $161.25 million, and Podcast revenue at $116.04 million. The Audio & Media Services Group reported $59.32 million, with Eliminations at $-2.49 million.
Earnings/Net Income
iHeartMedia's losses deepened, with EPS dropping to a loss of $1.84 per share in Q1 2025 from a loss of $0.12 per share in Q1 2024, indicating a significantly worse performance.
Price Action
The stock price of iHeartMedia has dropped 3.73% during the latest trading day, has surged 22.86% during the most recent full trading week, and has climbed 5.74% month-to-date.
Post-Earnings Price Action Review
The strategy of buying iHeartMedia (IHRT) shares after a revenue drop on the financial report release date and holding for 30 days resulted in significant losses. Over a five-year span, the total return was -36.4%, significantly underperforming the market’s decline of -3.8%. This highlights the strategy's failure to harness broader market gains, compounded by losses linked to adverse reactions to IHRT’s earnings reports. The persistent underperformance underscores the challenges faced by investors pursuing this approach, reflecting the market's negative reception to IHRT’s financial disclosures and the broader economic landscape affecting the company's operations.
CEO Commentary
Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted that iHeartMedia is observing generally stable ad spend despite an uncertain environment. He emphasized the company's ability to take decisive actions on costs and pursue growth opportunities. Pittman highlighted the Digital Audio Group's strong performance, with podcast revenue growing by 28% year-over-year, attributing this success to their leadership position in podcast publishing and financial discipline. He expressed optimism about the potential for broadcast radio to regain growth, stating, "We believe this is an important indicator of the growing strength broadcast radio has among national advertisers." Overall, he conveyed a cautiously optimistic outlook for the company's future.
Guidance
iHeartMedia expects second-quarter adjusted EBITDA to range from $140 million to $160 million compared to $150 million in the prior year. The company anticipates consolidated revenue to decline in low single digits year-over-year, with specific segment expectations: the Digital Audio Group's revenue is projected to increase in low double digits, podcasting revenue is anticipated to grow in the low 20s, while the Multiplatform Group is expected to decrease mid to high-single digits, and the Audio & Media Services Group is forecasted to decline approximately 5%. The full-year guidance remains contingent on macroeconomic improvements.
Additional News
In recent developments, iHeartMedia has been active in strategic initiatives. The company announced a major cost-saving program expected to yield $150 million in net savings for 2025, driven by advancements in technology and AI. Additionally, there have been no significant changes in the C-Level executive team, maintaining stability in leadership during a challenging financial period. Furthermore, iHeartMedia is enhancing its strategic partnerships to bolster its digital transformation efforts. These initiatives are part of iHeartMedia’s broader strategy to navigate the evolving media landscape and strengthen its financial position amidst ongoing market challenges.
Revenue
Total revenue for in Q1 2025 rose by 1.0% to $807.10 million, compared to $799.04 million in Q1 2024. Broadcast Radio contributed $340.74 million, while Networks added $99.46 million. Sponsorship and Events brought in $28.62 million, and Other segments contributed $4.16 million. The Digital Audio Group generated $277.29 million, with Digital, excluding Podcast, at $161.25 million, and Podcast revenue at $116.04 million. The Audio & Media Services Group reported $59.32 million, with Eliminations at $-2.49 million.
Earnings/Net Income
iHeartMedia's losses deepened, with EPS dropping to a loss of $1.84 per share in Q1 2025 from a loss of $0.12 per share in Q1 2024, indicating a significantly worse performance.
Price Action
The stock price of iHeartMedia has dropped 3.73% during the latest trading day, has surged 22.86% during the most recent full trading week, and has climbed 5.74% month-to-date.
Post-Earnings Price Action Review
The strategy of buying iHeartMedia (IHRT) shares after a revenue drop on the financial report release date and holding for 30 days resulted in significant losses. Over a five-year span, the total return was -36.4%, significantly underperforming the market’s decline of -3.8%. This highlights the strategy's failure to harness broader market gains, compounded by losses linked to adverse reactions to IHRT’s earnings reports. The persistent underperformance underscores the challenges faced by investors pursuing this approach, reflecting the market's negative reception to IHRT’s financial disclosures and the broader economic landscape affecting the company's operations.
CEO Commentary
Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted that iHeartMedia is observing generally stable ad spend despite an uncertain environment. He emphasized the company's ability to take decisive actions on costs and pursue growth opportunities. Pittman highlighted the Digital Audio Group's strong performance, with podcast revenue growing by 28% year-over-year, attributing this success to their leadership position in podcast publishing and financial discipline. He expressed optimism about the potential for broadcast radio to regain growth, stating, "We believe this is an important indicator of the growing strength broadcast radio has among national advertisers." Overall, he conveyed a cautiously optimistic outlook for the company's future.
Guidance
iHeartMedia expects second-quarter adjusted EBITDA to range from $140 million to $160 million compared to $150 million in the prior year. The company anticipates consolidated revenue to decline in low single digits year-over-year, with specific segment expectations: the Digital Audio Group's revenue is projected to increase in low double digits, podcasting revenue is anticipated to grow in the low 20s, while the Multiplatform Group is expected to decrease mid to high-single digits, and the Audio & Media Services Group is forecasted to decline approximately 5%. The full-year guidance remains contingent on macroeconomic improvements.
Additional News
In recent developments, iHeartMedia has been active in strategic initiatives. The company announced a major cost-saving program expected to yield $150 million in net savings for 2025, driven by advancements in technology and AI. Additionally, there have been no significant changes in the C-Level executive team, maintaining stability in leadership during a challenging financial period. Furthermore, iHeartMedia is enhancing its strategic partnerships to bolster its digital transformation efforts. These initiatives are part of iHeartMedia’s broader strategy to navigate the evolving media landscape and strengthen its financial position amidst ongoing market challenges.
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