HOT 97

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.

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

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

• Urban contemporary radio
• Music broadcasting
• Live event ticketing
• Podcast syndication
• Broadcast advertising

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Live Events and Ticketing: Revenue from Summer Jam concert ticket sales, venue partnerships, and event sponsorships including Boost Mobile as a presenting sponsor.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Sigma Audio NetworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 April 2026Sigma 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

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hot97
• YouTubeyoutube.com/hot97
• Facebookfacebook.com/HOT97OFFICIAL
• Instagraminstagram.com/hot97
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wqht-fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 HOT 97