No, Clear Channel does not own Fox; Clear Channel operates under iHeartMedia, while Fox Corporation is a separate publicly traded company.
Who owns Clear Channel?
Clear Channel is now a brand under iHeartMedia, which owns the Clear Channel radio and outdoor advertising assets.
iHeartMedia snapped up Clear Channel Communications back in 2014 during its rebranding, and it still runs the Clear Channel radio stations and outdoor advertising arm. These days, the company oversees more than 850 U.S. radio stations plus a nationwide outdoor network — all still branded Clear Channel. Honestly, that’s a pretty massive footprint. If you want the full scoop, check out iHeartMedia’s investor overview here.
What TV stations does Fox actually own?
Fox Corporation directly owns 29 full-power TV stations across the United States, all affiliated with the Fox broadcast network.
You’ll find big‑market names like WNYW in New York, KTTV in Los Angeles, and WFLD in Chicago among those 29 stations. On top of that, Fox runs the Fox News Group, which gives us Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. And just so you know, the lineup gets refreshed each year in Fox Corporation’s SEC filings here. Honestly, having that many stations gives them serious reach.
What else does iHeartMedia control besides radio stations?
iHeartMedia owns iHeartRadio, Premiere Networks, Total Traffic and Weather Network, Katz Media Group, and RCS, plus digital platforms like iheart.com.
They stream over 250 iHeartRadio stations on the web and handle national syndication via Premiere Networks. Katz Media Group takes care of radio ad sales, while RCS supplies the broadcast‑automation software. All told, these pieces give iHeartMedia the biggest audio footprint in the U.S. [Wikipedia]. Honestly, that’s quite the portfolio.
What's iHeartMedia worth these days?
As of late 2025, iHeartMedia’s market valuation was approximately $4.1 billion.
That number comes from growth in digital ads, podcasting, and live events since 2021, plus a big debt paydown — from roughly $20 billion at its height to under $8 billion by 2026. Of course, market moves shift things, so the 2026 figure could look different; for the latest, peek at the investor page here. Honestly, that’s an impressive turnaround.
Who really owns iHeartMedia now?
iHeartMedia is publicly traded (NASDAQ: IHRT) but its equity is largely held by creditors and institutional investors after its 2018 bankruptcy restructuring.
Thomas H. Lee Partners put together the original 2008 buyout, though they’ve since stepped away from control. These days, the board mixes reps from big lenders and passive investment funds. Want the nitty‑gritty? Check the latest 10‑K filing [SEC]. Honestly, it’s a classic case of creditors calling the shots after a bankruptcy.
Who's running iHeartMedia right now?
Bob Pittman has served as CEO of iHeartMedia since 2011 and remained in that role throughout 2026.
Under Pittman’s watch, iHeartMedia pivoted from plain old radio to a broader audio‑and‑digital mix. He also steers the podcasting, live‑event, and digital‑ads side of things. You can see his stint mentioned in press releases and media profiles [Reuters]. Honestly, he’s been a steady hand through a lot of change.
Who exactly is Bob Pittman?
Robert Warren “Bob” Pittman (born December 28, 1953) is the CEO of iHeartMedia and a veteran media executive with over four decades of industry experience.
Prior to iHeartMedia, Pittman was COO at AOL Time Warner and then CEO of AOL Networks. He got his start in radio programming back in Jackson, Mississippi, and went on to help launch MTV and a few other media projects. For the full story, his Wikipedia page [Wikipedia] has you covered. Honestly, his résumé reads like a who’s who of media milestones.
How much does Bob Pittman make?
In 2024, Pittman’s total compensation was reported at $8.4 million, comprising base salary, stock awards, and other bonuses.
Breaking it down, that’s about $1.3 million base salary, $3.4 million in stock awards, and $2.7 million from non‑equity incentive plans. The 2025‑2026 numbers aren’t out yet, but you’ll usually find exec pay in the DEF 14A proxy statements [SEC]. Honestly, that’s a hefty package for a media CEO.
Where did Bob Pittman grow up?
Pittman grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where he first entered the radio industry.
He landed a job at a local radio station while still in high school, and that early gig lit the fuse for his lifelong love of broadcasting. Folks often point to his Southern roots in Jackson as shaping those first career moves, and you’ll see that noted in various media profiles [Wikipedia]. Honestly, it’s cool how a small‑town start can lead to a media empire.
Did Bob Pittman finish college?
Pittman attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, but left before earning a degree.
He spent two years at Millsaps studying business and communications before dropping out to work radio full‑time. No degree, but he’s picked up honorary nods for his media work over the years — details you can find in his bio [Wikipedia]. Honestly, it shows you don’t always need a diploma to make it big.
Who came up with iHeartRadio?
iHeartRadio was created by iHeartMedia (then still Clear Channel Communications) and launched in 2008.
It started out as a free web‑based add‑on to their radio stations, streaming live feeds and later rolling out personalized music stations and podcasts. Over the years it’s ballooned into one of the biggest digital audio services in the U.S., and you can read about its beginnings in iHeartMedia’s press archives and tech coverage [Reuters]. Honestly, it was a smart move to bring radio into the streaming era.
Who has the most radio stations in America?
iHeartMedia leads the U.S. radio market with over 850 stations across 150+ markets as of 2026.
Audacy — formerly Entercom — comes in second with about 245 stations, and Cumulus Media trails with roughly 400. Together, these three outfits dominate commercial radio in the U.S., and the numbers come from FCC filings and industry reports [FCC]. Honestly, it’s wild how a few players own most of the dial.
Can I still use iHeartRadio without paying?
Yes, iHeartRadio offers a free, ad‑supported tier that includes live radio, artist‑based stations, and limited podcast access.
On the free tier you can’t pick songs on demand or listen offline, and you’ll hear the occasional ad. If you want ad‑free, on‑demand tunes and offline listening, you’ll need to pony up for iHeartRadio All Access — $9.99 a month or $99 a year. For more on what the free version offers, swing by the app’s help center [iHeartRadio]. Honestly, the free version is plenty for casual listeners.
How do I grab iHeartRadio for free?
Simply download the iHeartRadio app from your device’s app store or visit iheart.com and create an account—no payment required.
Signing up takes less than a minute and gets you straight into live radio, custom stations, and podcasts. There’s also a 30‑day trial of the All Access tier — just remember you’ll need to enter a credit card, and it’ll start billing if you don’t cancel before the trial ends. For a quick walkthrough, check out the app’s “Get Started” guide [iHeartRadio]. Honestly, it’s a painless way to test the waters.
Spotify or iHeartRadio—which one's better?
Spotify excels at on‑demand music discovery and algorithmic playlists, while iHeartRadio is superior for live radio broadcasts and curated audio experiences.
If you’re into crafting your own playlists, hunting down fresh releases, and enjoying uninterrupted podcasts, Spotify Premium usually wins. On the flip side, if you love catching local FM/AM stations, sports talk, news, or specialty radio shows, iHeartRadio’s free tier gives you that without spending a dime. Lots of folks actually subscribe to both to hit all their listening needs, according to comparisons in Consumer Reports [Consumer Reports]. Honestly, having both lets you get the best of both worlds.
