Compass Media Networks

Name

Compass Media Networks

Legal name

Compass Media Networks, LLC

Website

http://compassmedianetworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting & Syndication

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG), Sports Radio Networks (MPABABAE), News/Talk Radio Networks (MPABABAD)

Keywords

• Radio program syndication
• Sports broadcasting rights
• Audio advertising tools
• Podcast distribution
• Talk radio programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Rye

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Affiliate/Syndication Fees: Radio stations pay for the right to broadcast Compass Media Networks' syndicated programming including talk shows, sports broadcasts, and music programs.
2. Sponsorships: National and local advertisers sponsor specific programs, segments, or time slots within Compass Media Networks' programming inventory.
3. Sports Broadcasting Rights: Exclusive rights fees for broadcasting major sports properties including NFL games (Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders), Big Ten Basketball Tournament, and College Football coverage.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Compass Media Networks syndicates radio programming—including talk shows, music programs, sports broadcasts, and podcasts—to affiliate terrestrial radio stations across the United States, and monetizes that audience through national and local sponsorship sales. The company also distributes AI-powered advertising creation tools (SPECai, Specbyte) to radio station sales teams and holds exclusive play-by-play rights for NFL franchises and the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.

Product overview

Compass Media Networks is a broadcast entertainment media company operating as a platform offering radio programming syndication, sports broadcasting, and AI-powered advertising tools. The portfolio includes SPECai and Specbyte (AI-driven ad creation tools for radio sales teams), syndicated radio shows across genres (talk, country, rock, urban), sports broadcasts (NFL including Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, NCAA football, Big Ten Basketball Tournament), and podcasts distributed across major platforms. The company connects sponsors with audiences through affiliate radio stations, streaming services, and podcast distribution networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPECai: AI-driven spec spot creation platform for radio station sales teams, developed in partnership with Benztown.
• Specbyte

Products and services

• SPECai AI-driven technology platform that converts text descriptions into real-time professional audio spec spots for radio station advertising sales teams, with a video plugin for repurposing radio content into 1080p video ads.
• Specbyte AI-powered content creation tool that produces audio advertising spots for radio advertising sales teams.
• Radio Programming Syndication Syndicated radio shows and programming distributed across affiliate stations nationwide, including talk shows, music programs, sports broadcasts, and podcasts across multiple genres including News-Talk, Country, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Urban, Sports, and Business.
• NFL Sunday Afternoon Football Play-by-play coverage of approximately 50 NFL games in 1:00pm ET and 4:00pm ET windows plus select prime-time games, featuring announcers Chris Carrino, Brian Baldinger, Bill Rosinski, Merril Hoge and studio hosts Tim Cates, Jeff Biggs, and Steve DeSeagher.
• Dallas Cowboys Football Broadcast Broadcast of Dallas Cowboys pre-season and regular season games with announcers Steve Beuerlein, Tom Emrich, and Jerry Recco, and Zach Gelb as in-studio host.
• Las Vegas Raiders Football Broadcast Official home of Las Vegas Raiders broadcasts with play-by-play from Jason Horowitz and analyst Kirk Morrison, plus pre-game and post-game shows with JT the Brick, Eric Allen, and Lincoln Kennedy.
• Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament

Quantifiable outcome

• This Morning with Gordon Deal reaches over 300 terrestrial radio stations plus on-demand podcast platforms
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ENCOcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 April 2026ENCO and Compass Media Networks partnered on SPECai technology, an AI-driven real-time spec spot generation platform for radio station sales teams. Updates announced include new workflow improvements and a plugin for repurposing radio content into video assets. This partnership enables Compass to offer AI-powered advertising creation tools to its affiliate stations.
• BenztowncoreTechnology or Integration · 28 April 2026Benztown partnered with Compass Media Networks and ENCO on SPECai updates. Benztown also distributes programs including Slow Jams and Hot Mix through Compass Media Networks. The partnership enables integration of AI advertising tools with Benztown's program distribution network.
• Westwood OnecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWestwood One serves as the distribution partner for The Lars Larson Show through their Wegener network. This syndication distribution relationship enables national reach for Compass Media Networks programming.
• Townsquare MediaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTownsquare Media airs multiple Compass Media Networks programs including XXL Higher Level Radio, Gordon Deal morning show, and DeDe in the Morning across its station portfolio. XXL Higher Level Radio is an expansion of Townsquare's XXL Magazine brand into audio.
• XXL MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXXL Higher Level Radio is a partnership between Compass Media Networks and XXL Magazine, following the influential magazine and website. The show leverages XXL's 15 Million fans and followers on social media and the brand's unparalleled influence in Hip-Hop since 1984.
• Varsity NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSports broadcasts including Big Ten Basketball Tournament stream live on the Varsity Network app, expanding reach beyond traditional radio affiliates.
• SiriusXMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBig Ten Basketball Tournament broadcasts are available on SiriusXM Channel 84, providing satellite radio distribution for sports programming.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cumulus Media: One of the largest U.S. radio broadcasters and a major customer of Compass (e.g., 97.9X/WBSX). Competes broadly in the audio/AM-FM advertising market while simultaneously being an important distribution channel for Compass programming.
• iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. radio operator and parent of Premiere Networks. Both a key Compass affiliate and the operator of the dominant competing syndicator; competes for sports rights, talent, and national ad budgets.
• Alpha Media: Multi-format radio operator airing Compass's MVC News-Talk show across its footprint. Comparable in syndication consumption and ad-supported broadcast operations.
• Townsquare Media: Radio broadcasting group operating hundreds of stations across multiple formats; airs multiple Compass shows (XXL Higher Level Radio, Gordon Deal, DeDe in the Morning). Comparable as a programming buyer and overlapping in audio ad sales.

Direct peers

• Premiere Networks (iHeartMedia): iHeartMedia's syndication arm, the dominant U.S. radio syndicator with national talk, sports, and music programs (Rush Limbaugh legacy, Glenn Beck, Bobby Bones). Direct competitor for affiliate relationships, sponsorships, and premium talent signings.
• Westwood One: Largest radio network and syndicator in the U.S., distributing national talk, sports, and music programming. Directly comparable to Compass as both a competing syndicator and a distribution partner for shows like The Lars Larson Show via the Wegener network.
• Encompass Media Group: Radio syndicator focused on news, talk, and sports programming distributed to affiliate stations. Comparable in size and product mix to Compass, operating in the same syndicated-format space.
• ABC Audio (Disney): Operates ABC News Radio and syndicated audio programming distributed across affiliate stations. Competes with Compass's news-talk franchises (Gordon Deal, Lars Larson) for affiliate slots and advertiser dollars.

Others

• SiriusXM: Satellite radio platform that distributes Compass sports broadcasts (Big Ten Basketball on Channel 84, NFL). Comparable as a national audio distribution channel and as a competing audio advertising inventory, though not a direct radio syndicator.

Emerging players

• Benztown: Smaller radio program distributor and production company that partners with Compass (Slow Jams, Hot Mix) and co-developed the SPECai AI platform. Comparable as a syndicator with narrower format focus (imaging, music shows).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/compassmedianet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnrKr1xC_1l55ZtefvOawRQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/Compass-Media-Networks-1641766559394888/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compass-media-networks
• Instagraminstagram.com/compassmedianet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Compass Media Networks