History of IHeartRadio in Timeline

iHeartRadio, launched in 2008, is a freemium radio and music streaming service and the flagship brand of iHeartMedia. Originally used to market Clear Channel Communications' service, the iHeartRadio brand expanded to include Clear Channel's national radio network and other consumer ventures, eventually leading to Clear Channel rebranding itself as iHeartMedia in 2014. It competes with other audio streaming services like Audacy, TuneIn, and Sirius XM.

August 2008: iHeartRadio launch

In August 2008, Clear Channel Communications first used the name iHeartRadio to market its freemium radio and music streaming service.

October 7, 2008: iHeartRadio App Launch on Apple App Store

On October 7, 2008, Clear Channel Radio launched the first version of iHeartRadio to the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch through the App Store. This initial release included twelve radio stations in eight markets.

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2009: iHeartRadio Expansion to BlackBerry and Android

In 2009, iHeartRadio was made available to BlackBerry devices and the Android operating system.

2010: iHeartRadio Availability on Sonos

In 2010, iHeartRadio became available on Sonos devices.

September 2011: Official Launch of All-in-One iHeartRadio Service

September 2011 marked the official launch of the free, all-in-one iHeartRadio service featuring thousands of live radio stations and custom artist stations. This launch coincided with the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival hosted by Ryan Seacrest at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

2011: iHeartRadio Music Festival

Clear Channel/iHeartMedia built its national event franchise around the iHeartRadio consumer brand, beginning with the iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2011.

2011: Launch of iHeartRadio App

Launched in 2011, the iHeartRadio app has more than 188 million registered users and is available on over 500 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices.

April 20, 2012: iHeartRadio Launches on iPad

On April 20, 2012, iHeartRadio launched on the iPad.

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June 8, 2012: iHeartRadio Powers Yahoo! Music's Radio Service

On June 8, 2012, iHeartRadio finalized a deal to power Yahoo! Music's Radio service, taking over from CBS Radio.

October 2012: Launch of Online Audio News, Weather and Traffic Streams

In mid-October 2012, iHeartRadio launched online audio news, weather, and traffic streams for major American metropolitan areas, branded as "24/7 News".

March 1, 2013: iHeartRadio Added to Roku Digital Media Receiver

On March 1, 2013, iHeartRadio was added to the Roku digital media receiver.

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July 14, 2013: iHeartRadio Launches in New Zealand and Australia

On July 14, 2013, iHeartRadio launched in New Zealand and Australia.

July 2013: iHeartRadio Adds International Stations

In July 2013, iHeartRadio began adding stations from outside the United States, including CHUM-FM and CFBT-FM in Canada and Virgin Radio Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

July 24, 2013: Launch of iHeartRadio Talk

On July 24, 2013, iHeartRadio launched a new talk radio feature: iHeartRadio Talk. It featured original on-demand programming from celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and allowed users to upload their own content through Spreaker.

2013: Opening of iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles

The iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles, located at The Burbank Studios in Burbank, opened in 2013. The theater is a converted soundstage that was previously used by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

2014: Changes to Australian and New Zealand Operations

Before 2014, iHeartRadio operated Australian Radio Network as a joint venture with APN News and Media but now operates an Australian version wholly owned by ARN Media. New Zealand assets are now licensed by NZME.

2014: Clear Channel Rebrands as iHeartMedia

In 2014, Clear Channel Communications rebranded itself as iHeartMedia, making iHeartRadio the flagship brand of the company.

2014: iHeartRadio Talk Rebranded to "Shows & Personalities"

In 2014, the iHeartRadio Talk feature was rebranded to "Shows & Personalities".

November 10, 2015: Launch of iHeartRadio Family App

On November 10, 2015, iHeartRadio launched a spin-off app known as iHeartRadio Family, a curated experience targeting children. Build-A-Bear Workshop served as a launch sponsor, including the addition of a "Build-a-Bear Workshop Radio" channel in the app.

January 6, 2016: iHeartRadio Service Expansion into Canada

On January 6, 2016, iHeartMedia announced that the iHeartRadio service would expand into Canada as part of a licensing deal with Bell Media. Bell handles Canadian music licensing, marketing, and distribution of the service, and provides content from its properties.

October 7, 2016: iHeartRadio Launches in Canada

iHeartRadio launched in Canada on October 7, 2016, in association with Bell Media.

December 1, 2016: iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access Launch in Beta

On December 1, 2016, iHeartMedia launched the subscription based on demand services "iHeartRadio Plus" and "iHeartRadio all Access powered by Napster" in beta on iOS and Android to American users.

2016: Shows & Personalities Becomes Podcasts

In 2016, the "Shows & Personalities" feature on iHeartRadio was renamed simply "Podcasts".

January 2017: Expansion of Plus and All Access to Other Platforms

In January 2017, iHeartRadio expanded Plus and All Access to other platforms, including desktop, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

December 4, 2017: iHeartRadio Canada Adds Podcasts and Stations

On December 4, 2017, additional features were added to the iHeartRadio Canada service, including podcasts, additional stations, and a deal with Evanov Radio Group to add its stations to the service.

2017: iHeartRadio Theaters in Los Angeles and New York City

As of around 2017, iHeartMedia also operated iHeartRadio Theaters in Los Angeles and New York City.

September 2018: iHeartMedia to Acquire Stuff Media, LLC

In September 2018, iHeartMedia announced it would acquire Stuff Media, LLC, a U.S. for-profit publisher of podcast content listeners, which included the HowStuffWorks podcasting business division as well as its slate of premium podcast content, for $55 million.

October 29, 2018: iHeartRadio Launches in Mexico

iHeartRadio launched in Mexico on October 29, 2018, in association with Grupo ACIR.

November 2018: iHeartMedia Buys Jelli

In November 2018, iHeartMedia bought Jelli.

2018: iHeartMedia Files for Bankruptcy

In 2018, iHeartMedia filed for bankruptcy aiming to cut its debt of around $20 billion in half.

2019: iHeartRadio Available on 250+ Devices and Platforms

As of 2019, the iHeartRadio app was available on more than 250 devices and platforms.

2019: iHeartRadio Largest Radio Broadcaster in US

In 2019, The New York Times described iHeartRadio as the largest radio broadcaster in the United States, with 848 terrestrial stations.

2019: Introduction of iHeartRadio Sonic Logo

In 2019, iHeartRadio introduced its own "Sonic Logo", a five-note sounder with two heartbeats at the end, including specific variations for different formats or productions.

April 23, 2020: iHeartRadio App Launched in Puerto Rico

On April 23, 2020, the iHeartRadio app was launched in association with Uno Radio Group in Puerto Rico.

October 2020: Acquisition of Voxnest

In October 2020, iHeartMedia announced that the company would acquire Voxnest, the parent company of Spreaker, a podcast-hosting company.

2020: iHeartMedia Layoffs

In early 2020, iHeart fired dozens of its employees across its more than 850 radio stations, which iHeart described as being technology-driven.

2020: Removal of Discovery Tuner

Until 2020, iHeartRadio had a "Discovery Tuner" to the custom stations where listeners could adjust the tuner to play familiar songs.

December 1, 2021: iHeartRadio deal with Roku

On December 1, 2021, iHeartRadio signed a deal with Roku to bring a dozen of their live radio stations to The Roku Channel's live TV lineup in the form of FAST channels.

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February 2022: iHeartMedia Invests in Sounder

In February 2022, iHeartMedia invested in Sounder.

2022: iHeartRadio Leading Podcast Publisher

As of 2022, iHeartRadio is now the leading podcast publisher on Podtrac, with over 400 million downloads each month.

June 2023: Stingray Radio joins iHeartRadio Canada

In June 2023, Stingray Radio joined iHeartRadio Canada.

September 27, 2023: Timberwolves and Lynx Radio Broadcasts Move to iHeartRadio App

On September 27, 2023, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx announced that their radio broadcasts would move to the iHeartRadio app. Every game would air on the app, while the majority of Lynx games and select Timberwolves games would be simulcast on co-owned KFXN-FM.

May 2024: Corus Entertainment joins iHeartRadio Canada

In May 2024, Corus Entertainment joined iHeartRadio Canada.

November 2024: Pattison Media joins iHeartRadio Canada

In November 2024, Pattison Media joined iHeartRadio Canada.

2024: Major Changes to iHeartRadio App User Interface

In 2024, iHeartMedia made major changes to the iHeartRadio apps' user interface, intended to mimic features from a car radio, including tuners, live radio, and song lyrics.