iHeartRadio

Type of site: Internet radio, music streaming

Available in: English, Spanish

Founded: April 2008

Headquarters: New York City, New York, U.S.

Owner: iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartRadio is a free broadcast, podcast and streaming radio platform owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It was founded in April 2008. iHeartRadio functions as both a music recommender system and a radio network that aggregates audio content from over 850 local iHeartMedia radio stations across the United States, as well as from hundreds of other stations and from various other media.

History

iHeartRadio was launched in April 2008 as iheartmusic.com. Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia) launched the service as the company's foray into digital radio. In 2012, iHeartRadio launched a major redesign of its web and mobile platforms, expanding its service to include live radio, user-created playlists, and recommended stations.

Features

Live Radio: Streams from over 850 local radio stations across the U.S.
Custom Stations: Users can create personalized stations based on their favorite artists or songs.
Podcasts: Offers a wide variety of podcasts across different genres.
On-Demand Music: Premium subscribers can access millions of songs on-demand.
Artist Radio: Stations based on a specific artist, playing their music and similar artists.
Playlists: Curated playlists for various moods, activities, and genres.

Availability

iHeartRadio is available on multiple platforms:

Web browsers
iOS and Android mobile devices
Smart speakers (Amazon Alexa, Google Home)
Gaming consoles
Smart TVs
Car infotainment systems

iHeartRadio Music Festival

Since 2011, iHeartRadio has hosted the annual iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. The festival features performances by popular artists across various genres and has become one of the most anticipated music events of the year.

Competitors

iHeartRadio competes with other music streaming and internet radio services, including:

Spotify
Pandora
Apple Music
Amazon Music
TuneIn

Impact on Radio Industry

iHeartRadio has played a significant role in the digital transformation of the radio industry. By combining traditional radio broadcasting with streaming technology, it has helped radio stations maintain relevance in the digital age and reach wider audiences beyond their local markets.