by Lucy Bartozzi
200 E. Basse Road San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 822 – 2828
About Clear Channel
Clear Channel Communications is a global media and entertainment company specializing in radio broadcasting and outdoor advertising. The company was founded in 1972 in San Antonio, TX with the purchase of a single FM radio station [1]. Currently, Clear Channel is privately owned by Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners [2]. Clear Channel operates as CC Media Holdings and consists of two main businesses: Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment [1].
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCME) owns and operates 840 broadcast radio stations, reaching nearly 243 million monthly listeners. CCME services 150 U.S. markets, as well as 140 radio stations in Australia and New Zealand. This gives Clear Channel the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in the United States [3]. Operations of CCME include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, program syndication, entertainment, traffic data distribution, and music research services [2]. CCME’s content is distributed on a variety of platforms including AM/FM stations, satellite radio, the Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems, iHeartRadio, and mobile devices. Properties of CCME include Premiere Networks, a national radio network with 90 radio programs in syndication, Katz Media Group, the leading media representation company in the United States, and Total Traffic Network, a service that delivers real-time local traffic flow and information to over 3,000 radio and 200 television affiliates [4].
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio, launched in 2008 by Clear Channel, gives users access to over 1,500 live radio stations across the country and the ability to create custom stations. This service is available online and as a mobile application for smartphones and tablets, as well as in-vehicle systems and some gaming consoles. Users are able to stream a wide variety of content, including pop, country, talk, sports, and college radio. In just 13 months, iHeartRadio reached a milestone of 20 million registered users [5].
Key Executives [6]
Bob Pittman, Chief Executive Officer
Tom Casey, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Robert H. Walls Jr., Executive Vice President and General Counsel
John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Media and Entertainment
Financials [2]
- Clear Channel estimates that nearly half of their revenue is derived from CCME, with the primary source of this revenue being the sale of commercials on their radio stations
- Clear Channel’s total revenue for 2012 equaled $6,246,884
- CCME’s total revenue for 2012 equaled $3,084,780, a $98 million increase from 2011
- In 2012, CCME saw an increase in digital revenue, event sponsorship revenue, and traffic business revenue; however, direct expenses and SG&A expenses increased as well
New Developments at Clear Channel
On March 6, 2013 Clear Channel and eOne, the fastest-growing independent music company in the U.S., announced an agreement to share revenue from digital and terrestrial radio. Since its inception, eOne Music has charted more than 100 albums on Billboard’s Independent Chart. Clear Channel has recently entered into similar agreements with Big Machine Label Group, Glassnote Entertainment Group, DashGo, rpm Entertainment, Robbins Entertainment, and Naxos [7].
On March 11, 2013 Clear Channel introduced a new feature for their iHeartRadio service which will enable users to to add short local news, weather, and traffic updates into their custom station when listening online. Clear Channel hopes that these “Add-Ins” will provide users with a custom experience they can’t find anywhere else. Users will be able to receive localized information based on their current location or choose to receive updates from different markets across the country. Add-Ins will soon be available on the iPhone, Android, and other platforms [8].
On March 13, 2013 Clear Channel launched its second broadcast Electronic Dance Music (EDM) station, Evolution 93.5 Miami. The new format will feature non-stop dance music from artists such as Skrillex, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and more. On March 25, the station began airing a two-hour long daily show titled “All Gone Pete Tong” featuring Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune of the Week and the hottest track from the global Top 100 chart on Beatport.com. The show broadcasts Monday through Friday from 7 – 9 p.m. EST and additionally features Tong’s mixes, on-air interviews, and guest-hosted radio shows. EDM fans across the country can listen to Evolution as well on iHeartRadio [9].
On March 28, 2013 Clear Channel announced the return of their iHeartRadio Music Festival, as well as the continuation of their partnership with Macy’s. For its third year, the event will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 20 and 21, 2013. Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star campaign will return as well, spotlighting America’s emerging musicians and giving one lucky artist or band the opportunity to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival. Clear Channel listeners, iHeartRadio fans, and Macy’s shoppers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite performer online until May 12. Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean, Lil Wayne, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, Linkin Park, and Aerosmith are just a few of the names that have previously performed at the festival [10].
On April 1, 2013 Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced a partnership with Big Machine Records to launch The Band Perry’s sophomore album, PIONEER. Following the release of the album on April 2, Clear Channel will launch a two-week on-air and online Artist Integration Program to introduce the new music to fans and listeners. On April 3, The Band Perry will perform for iHeartRadio Live at the iHeartRadio Theater. The goal of this campaign is to raise audience awareness by featuring custom content and spots on a multitude of Clear Channel’s different platforms [11].
Sources
[1] http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/Pages/about.aspx
[2] http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1389/73970813000003/filing-main.htm
[3] http://www.clearchannel.com/CCME/Pages/default.aspx
[4] http://www.clearchannel.com/CCME/Pages/Brands.aspx
[5] http://www.clearchannel.com/CCME/Pages/iHeart.aspx
[6] http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/Pages/our-team.aspx
[7] http://www.clearchannel.com/Pages/Clear-Channel-And-Entertainment-One-(Eone)-Announce-Agreement-To-Share-Digital-And-Broadcast-Radio-Revenue-With-Artists.aspx
[8] http://www.clearchannel.com/Pages/iHeartRadio-Introduces-Local-News,-Traffic-and-Weather-Add-Ins-to-its-Custom-Stations-.aspx
[9] http://www.clearchannel.com/Pages/Clear-Channel-Media-And-Entertainment-Brings-EDM-To-Miami%E2%80%99s-Airwaves-With-Evolution-93-5.aspx
[10] http://www.clearchannel.com/Pages/The-iHeartRadio-Music-Festival—The-Biggest-Live-Concert-Event-In-Radio-History—Returns-to-the-MGM-Grand-in-2013-.aspx
[11] http://www.clearchannel.com/Pages/Clear-Channel-Media-and-Entertainment-and-Big-Machine-Label-Group-to-Launch-Artist-Integration-Program-Around-The-Band-Perr.aspx