Westwood One

What Westwood One does

Westwood One is one of the largest audio networks in the United States and operates as the national-facing arm of Cumulus Media (OTCQB: CMLS). Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Atlanta with nine U.S. offices (New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Denver, Detroit, and Washington D.C.), the company distributes premium sports, news, talk, music, and entertainment audio content across approximately 500 terrestrial radio affiliates, SiriusXM satellite radio, online streaming platforms, mobile applications (including the Westwood One Sports app), and voice-activated smart speakers. Its core product portfolio is anchored by exclusive multiplatform audio rights to the NFL (39 consecutive years as the NFL's official audio partner through the 2025-2026 season), NCAA Division I championships including the Men's and Women's College World Series, Final Four, and March Madness, and Masters golf. The network also distributes marquee personalities and shows such as The Jim Rome Show, The Mark Levin Show, The Bob & Tom Show, Country Nights Live with Bev Rainey, Nightly with Jade & Tyler, AP News Radio, and the Cumulus Podcast Network, one of the largest podcast networks in the country.

The underlying technology stack combines satellite distribution services, 24/7 format streams, and control room automation equipment that enable continuous broadcast operations to affiliate radio stations. In December 2025, Westwood One assumed programming and distribution of the former Infinity Sports Network, rebranding it as Westwood One Sports and integrating BetMGM sports betting content into a 24/7 sports programming lineup. Audio Active Group operates as an in-house marketing advisory publishing the semi-annual Cumulus Media/Signal Hill Insights Podcast Download Report. The December 2025 federal court preliminary injunction against Nielsen addressed bundled radio ratings pricing, a material input cost for the network.

Westwood One generates revenue through two principal streams. The primary stream is advertising and sponsorship revenue from brands — including major consumer advertisers and sports betting operators — seeking to reach engaged audiences during premium live sports broadcasts and entertainment programming across radio and digital audio inventory. The second stream is recurring affiliate distribution fees from the approximately 500 radio stations that license NFL, NCAA, and entertainment content for local broadcast. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Westwood One serves three customer groups: end-consumer sports fans and listeners across multiple platforms; business-to-business radio station affiliates requiring premium national content; and national advertisers and sponsors seeking captive live-sports audiences.

Name

Westwood One

Legal name

Westwood One, LLC.

Website

https://westwoodone.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Westwood One is the national-facing audio network arm of Cumulus Media, distributing premium sports, news, talk, and entertainment audio content to approximately 500 U.S. radio stations, SiriusXM, streaming platforms, and smart speakers. It holds exclusive NFL and NCAA audio rights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting and Audio Content Distribution

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Digital Audio Broadcasts (Live Radio, Play-by-Play, Podcasts) (MPAKAOAG), Sports Audio Rights & Live Game Audio Networks (MPABAJAK), Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Radio network syndication
• Sports audio broadcasting
• Audio advertising sales
• Podcast network distribution
• Satellite audio delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsorship Revenue: Westwood One generates revenue primarily through advertising and sponsorship placements across its radio and digital audio platforms. The network sells audio ad inventory to brands seeking to reach its captive listening audience during premium sports broadcasts and entertainment programming.
2. Affiliate Distribution Fees: Revenue generated from distributing premium audio content to radio station affiliates across the United States. Stations pay for access to Westwood One's NFL, NCAA, and entertainment programming.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Westwood One is a multi-platform audio content distributor that produces and syndicates sports, music, news, spoken word, and digital audio programming to roughly 500 radio station affiliates across the United States. As the national audio arm of Cumulus Media, it packages flagship sports rights (NFL, NCAA), syndicated talk shows, music format streams, and podcasts for distribution to local stations and digital endpoints, while monetizing the combined audience through national advertising sales.

Product overview

Westwood One, the national-facing arm of Cumulus Media, operates as a comprehensive audio network offering multiplatform content distribution. The portfolio centers on sports broadcasting rights (NFL, NCAA championships), news/talk programming, music and entertainment shows, and podcast content through the Cumulus Podcast Network. Technical infrastructure includes satellite services, control room automation, and format streams for affiliate distribution. The company reaches audiences across terrestrial radio, SiriusXM, streaming platforms, mobile apps, and voice-activated devices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Westwood One Sports: Sports content division broadcasting NFL, NCAA, and other major sporting events across radio and digital platforms.
• Cumulus Podcast Network
• Audio Active Group
• Westwood One Backstage

Products and services

• NFL on Westwood One

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.

• AudacycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025Cumulus Media's Westwood One and Audacy announced the launch of Westwood One Sports 24/7 Programming, rebranding the Infinity Sports Network as Westwood One Sports, effective December 29, 2025. The partnership involves Westwood One assuming programming and distribution for major sports content.
• RumblenotableGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 August 2025Rumble (NASDAQ: RUM) and Cumulus Media announced a strategic partnership on August 5, 2025 to combine video and audio content distribution. Under the agreement, Westwood One distributes audio and video content on Rumble's platform while collaborating to maximize advertising opportunities for brand partners through multi-platform solutions.
• NCAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestwood One is the exclusive multiplatform audio coverage provider for NCAA Division I championships, including the Men's and Women's College World Series, NCAA Basketball Tournament, and other collegiate sporting events. Kevin Kugler is calling his 22nd consecutive College World Series for the NCAA Radio Network.
• NFLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestwood One has been the NFL's official audio partner for 39 consecutive years, broadcasting NFL games including the Super Bowl, AFC/NFC Championship games, and Divisional Round playoffs to approximately 500 radio stations nationwide.
• BetMGMnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerBetMGM Tonight and BetMGM: You Better You Bet are sports betting shows that are part of Westwood One Sports 24/7 Programming, featuring sports betting analysis and odds coverage.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SiriusXM: SiriusXM is a satellite radio distributor that simultaneously serves as a key distribution partner for Westwood One's sports and entertainment content and a competing audio platform. Comparable as a national audio subscription service delivering talk, sports, and music programming to listeners across the U.S.
• iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest U.S. radio broadcaster and, through Premiere Networks, the largest radio syndicator (Rush, Glenn Beck, Ryan Seacrest). Directly comparable as a national audio network distributing sports, news, talk, and music programming to thousands of affiliate stations via terrestrial radio, digital, and podcast channels.
• Audacy: Audacy is a major U.S. radio broadcaster and the prior operator of the Infinity Sports Network, which was rebranded under Westwood One in late 2025. Directly comparable as a multi-platform audio company distributing sports, news, and entertainment content via owned stations, digital platforms, and podcasts.
• Compass Media Networks: Compass Media Networks is a smaller U.S. radio syndicator distributing sports, talk, and music programming to affiliate stations. Directly comparable as a national radio network competitor for affiliate distribution deals, though at a materially smaller scale than Westwood One.
• Premiere Networks: Premiere Networks is the radio syndication arm of iHeartMedia and the closest single comparable to Westwood One's network distribution business. Competes head-to-head for affiliate radio station carriage of nationally syndicated talk, sports, and music programming.
• ESPN Radio: ESPN Radio is the audio arm of ESPN/Disney and the principal competing national sports radio network in the U.S. Directly comparable as a holder of major sports broadcast rights (MLB, college football, NBA) distributed nationally to affiliate stations and digital platforms.

Regional players

• Townsquare Media: Townsquare Media is a U.S. radio broadcasting and digital media company operating primarily in mid-sized and small markets. Comparable as a multi-platform audio operator distributing local content plus syndicated programming, although it lacks Westwood One's national network footprint.
• Salem Communications: Salem Communications (now Salem Media Group) operates a national portfolio of radio stations, digital platforms, and podcasts with a focus on conservative talk and Christian content. Comparable as a talk/news radio operator and podcast publisher with overlapping talk personalities and audience segments.

Emerging players

• TuneIn: TuneIn is a leading internet radio streaming service aggregating tens of thousands of live radio stations and sports content. Comparable as a digital audio distribution platform competing for streaming listeners of sports, news, and music content that Westwood One also distributes online.

Broad incumbents

• Cumulus Media: Cumulus Media is Westwood One's publicly-traded parent company and the second-largest U.S. radio broadcaster by station count. Comparable as a diversified broadcast and audio media operator with owned-and-operated stations plus Westwood One's national network distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/westwoodone
• Facebookfacebook.com/WestwoodOneInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westwoodone
• Instagraminstagram.com/westwoodone

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westwood One