HOT 97
HOT 97 (WQHT-FM) is a New York City hip-hop radio station and multi-platform media brand owned by MediaCo Holding Inc., broadcasting on 97.1 MHz and serving urban music fans across radio, television, podcasts, mobile apps, and live events including the annual Summer Jam concert.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HOT 97 does
HOT 97 (legally WQHT-FM) is a New York City-based hip-hop and urban contemporary radio station broadcasting on 97.1 MHz and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA). Founded in the late 1980s/early 1990s, the station has built a 30-plus-year brand identity as a defining voice in hip-hop culture, anchored by flagship programming including Mornings with Mero (hosted by The Kid Mero), Nessa On Air, and Funk Flex, plus signature annual events such as Summer Jam (now in its 32nd year at Newark's Prudential Center). The company has expanded from a single-market FM broadcaster into a multi-platform media business with HOT 97 TV (linear TV via WHOT Channel 66, Spectrum, DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity), HOT 97 News (daily national TV show with an Atlanta edition launched January 2026), nationally syndicated podcasts distributed on Spotify/Apple/Amazon, iOS and Android mobile applications with a VIP rewards program, and a national audio syndication infrastructure via the newly-launched Sigma Audio Networks LLC subsidiary (February 2026).
The core technology stack combines traditional over-the-air broadcast infrastructure with digital streaming, mobile applications, podcast distribution, and TV carriage agreements. Revenue is generated primarily through radio advertising and branded sponsorships (the dominant stream), supplemented by Summer Jam ticket sales (via Ticketmaster) and presenting sponsorships (e.g., Boost Mobile), and national content licensing through Sigma Audio Networks syndication. Distribution has been extended nationally via the DOT 2 audio platform into Los Angeles, Riverside, Dallas, and Houston, and the company targets 150 million multicultural consumers across its combined MediaCo portfolio. Notable operational changes in late 2025–early 2026 include the December 2025 conclusion of the Ebro in the Morning show after 13 years and the January 2026 launch of HOT 97 News. HOT 97's competitive positioning rests on its cultural brand equity, multi-platform reach, and the network effects between its listener base, artist relationships, and advertiser demand.
HOT 97 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HOT 97
- Legal name
- WQHT-FM (HOT 97)
- Website
- https://hot97.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HOT 97 (WQHT-FM) is a New York City hip-hop radio station and multi-platform media brand owned by MediaCo Holding Inc., broadcasting on 97.1 MHz and serving urban music fans across radio, television, podcasts, mobile apps, and live events including the annual Summer Jam concert.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HOT 97 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Urban Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where HOT 97 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HOT 97 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Advertising and Sponsorships: Primary revenue stream from radio advertising and branded content sponsorships. The station generates revenue through ad placements, sponsored segments, and promotional partnerships with brands.
- Live Events and Ticketing: Revenue from Summer Jam concert ticket sales, venue partnerships, and event sponsorships including Boost Mobile as a presenting sponsor.
- National Syndication and Distribution: Revenue from syndicated content distribution through Sigma Audio Networks, expanding HOT 97 Mornings with Mero nationally beyond flagship NYC station.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
HOT 97 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HOT 97 operates the WQHT-FM 97.1 hip-hop and urban contemporary radio station in New York City, broadcasting 24/7 music programming, breaking entertainment news, artist interviews, and cultural commentary. Beyond over-the-air radio, the brand distributes content through HOT 97 TV on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms, a nationally syndicated morning show (Mornings with Mero) via Sigma Audio Networks, mobile applications for iOS and Android with a VIP rewards program, podcasts, and the annual Summer Jam live concert event at Prudential Center.
Product overview
HOT 97 is a multi-platform hip hop media company built around its flagship WQHT-FM 97.1 radio station in New York City. The portfolio includes HOT 97 TV (television content), HOT 97 Summer Jam (annual music festival), Mornings with Mero Podcast (nationally syndicated), HOT 97 Mobile App (iOS/Android), and the official HOT 97 website delivering news, videos, and cultural content. The brand operates under MediaCo Holding Inc. and expanded nationally through Sigma Audio Networks and DOT 2 audio platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Summer Jam: Annual flagship hip-hop music festival and concert event, recognized as the largest live Hip Hop celebration in America since 1994
- HOT 97 Mornings with Mero
- Who's Next
- HOT 97 News
Products and services
- HOT 97 Radio (WQHT-FM 97.1) Flagship hip-hop and urban contemporary radio station in New York City, broadcasting 24/7 music programming, breaking entertainment news, artist interviews, and cultural commentary. Reached highest Adult 18-49 audience levels in station history in September 2025.
- HOT 97 TV Television platform featuring hip-hop culture content including Funk Flex Freestyles, Nessa's interviews, Ebro in the Morning, performances, and original shows. Available via over-the-air, cable, and satellite in Atlanta and expanding to additional cities.
- HOT 97 Summer Jam Annual flagship hip-hop music festival and concert event held at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Features top hip-hop artists across multiple stages including headliners, main stage performances, and emerging artist showcases. Ticketed via Ticketmaster.
- HOT 97 Mobile App Official mobile application for iOS and Android devices offering live radio streaming nationwide, podcast access, VIP rewards program with exclusive offers, and interactive content with on-air DJs.
- Mornings with Mero Podcast Daily morning show podcast hosted by The Kid Mero, weekdays 6-10A EST, nationally syndicated beyond the flagship New York station. Available on Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
- Summer Jam: Through the Years Podcast Documentary-style podcast mini-series highlighting Summer Jam performances across four decades of hip-hop history, hosted by Laura Stylez. Distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Podcasts.
- HOT 97 News Daily national TV news show covering hip-hop, music, and cultural news with an Atlanta local news edition (HOT 97 News – Atlanta) focused on the Atlanta metro area.
Quantifiable outcome
- Highest adult 18-49 audience levels in station history achieved in September 2025
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use HOT 97
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HOT 97 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature2 records
HOT 97 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Sigma Audio NetworkscoreSigma Audio Networks, powered by MediaCo, expanded its national audio platform by adding HOT 97 Mornings with Mero for national syndication. The partnership enables HOT 97 content to reach multicultural audiences beyond the NYC flagship station as part of Sigma's strategy to reach 150 million consumers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HOT 97 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HOT 97 social profiles
Digital presenceHOT 97 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HOT 97 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
HOT 97 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
HOT 97 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HOT 97 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HOT 97
What does HOT 97 do?
HOT 97 operates the WQHT-FM 97.1 hip-hop and urban contemporary radio station in New York City, broadcasting 24/7 music programming, breaking entertainment news, artist interviews, and cultural commentary. Beyond over-the-air radio, the brand distributes content through HOT 97 TV on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms, a nationally syndicated morning show (Mornings with Mero) via Sigma Audio Networks, mobile applications for iOS and Android with a VIP rewards program, podcasts, and the annual Summer Jam live concert event at Prudential Center.
Is HOT 97 a public or private company?
HOT 97 is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HOT 97 founded?
HOT 97 was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HOT 97 based?
HOT 97 is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does HOT 97 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are live Events and Ticketing and national Syndication and Distribution.
Does HOT 97 have an API?
No public API is recorded for HOT 97.
What industry is HOT 97 in?
HOT 97's product category is Urban Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAC, Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAH, Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.