AI @ iHeartMedia
Summary
- iHeartMedia has steadily increased its adoption of AI technologies from 2017 onward, initially partnering with Veritone to deploy AI solutions across 200+ broadcast stations and later pioneering AI-driven audio transitions and podcast content localization.
- The company has leveraged AI to reduce costs significantly, evidenced in 2020 when over 50 DJs and employees were laid off citing investment in AI music-mixing systems and automation, and continuously innovated with generative AI for multilingual podcast translation and brand safety tools by 2024-2025.
- Leadership including CEO Bob Pittman and Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne have emphasized AI's strategic role in unlocking new revenue streams, improving programmatic advertising, and enhancing customer experience through content personalization, while also carefully managing AI use internally with policies restricting unsanctioned platforms like ChatGPT.
VIBE METER
5 AI Use Cases at iHeartMedia
Content Localization2025Customer Facing
Music Programming2024
Brand Safety2023Customer Facing
Workforce Optimization2020
Audio Seamlessness2018Customer Facing
Timeline
2025 Q4: no updates
2025 Q3
iHeartMedia utilizes AI tools broadly for language translation, commercial and spec-spot creation, enhancing content production and distribution capabilities.
2025 Q2
Launch of AI-translated iHeartPodcasts in six languages and use of AI voice cloning by Speechlab to preserve podcast host personalities while expanding audience reach.
2025 Q1
iHeartMedia terms of use indicate provision of experimental generative AI services (GAIS) on their platform, signaling ongoing generative AI integration in content offerings.
2024 Q4: no updates
2024 Q3: no updates
2024 Q2: no updates
2024 Q1
iHeartMedia extensively tests generative AI for podcast translation, transcription, and music decision support; CEO Bob Pittman highlights AI's role in creating new revenue streams.
- Digiday: How podcast networks are testing AI tools for faster translation and ad sales
- Radio Ink: AI Stands For 'Alternative Income' As iHeart Posts 2023 Financials
- CES.tech: The Future of Audio: iHeartMedia's Vision for 2024
- Insideradio.com: Parlez-Vous Podcasts? iHeart Testing AI For Show Translations
- Insideradio.com: How iHeart Is Using AI To Help Make Music Decisions
2023 Q4: no updates
2023 Q3: no updates
2023 Q2
iHeartMedia bans employee use of ChatGPT and similar platforms for work, aiming to control AI integration while rolling out proprietary AI solutions to harness benefits responsibly.
2023 Q1
Launch of next-gen podcast brand safety tools powered by AI via partnership with Sounder, providing episode-specific brand safety assurances to advertisers.
2022 Q4: no updates
2022 Q3: no updates
2022 Q2: no updates
2022 Q1
iHeartMedia partners with Sounder to leverage AI and machine learning tools for real-time podcast analytics and uses Veritone Voice to produce multilingual podcast content with synthetic voices.
2021 Q4: no updates
2021 Q3: no updates
2021 Q2: no updates
2021 Q1: no updates
2020 Q4: no updates
2020 Q3: no updates
2020 Q2: no updates
2020 Q1
iHeartMedia lays off over 50 DJs citing significant investments in AI, notably employing AI music-mixing solutions from startups like Super Hi-Fi, marking a shift towards automation.
2019 Q4: no updates
2019 Q3: no updates
2019 Q2: no updates
2019 Q1: no updates
2018 Q4: no updates
2018 Q3
iHeartRadio launches revolutionary AI technology for seamless audio transitions, eliminating gaps between songs on their digital music platform.
2018 Q2: no updates
2018 Q1: no updates
2017 Q4
Veritone offers iHeartMedia a more comprehensive AI-based solution enabling real-time insights and audio management for stations.
2017 Q3: no updates
2017 Q2: no updates
2017 Q1
Veritone expands its AI relationship with iHeartMedia, providing advanced AI solutions to over 200 broadcast stations nationwide.