KROQ
KROQ is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock radio station brand founded in 1972, operated under Audacy and distributed via over-the-air broadcast and Audacy's multi-platform audio streaming service to regional and on-device listeners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What KROQ does
KROQ is an alternative rock radio station brand based in Los Angeles, United States, established in 1972 and currently operated as part of Audacy (NASDAQ: AUD), a publicly traded multi-format audio broadcasting company. The station serves listeners in the Los Angeles market and is reachable beyond the over-the-air signal through Audacy's unified audio streaming platform, which provides free, account-gated access to live radio stations, on-demand podcasts, music programming, sports audio, and news broadcasts across devices. KROQ's product surface is therefore not a standalone technology stack but a content and brand asset layered onto Audacy's parent platform, with discovery routed through station and podcast directories.
The station's offering is concentrated in the alternative rock format, supported by on-air personalities and live broadcast programming that historically anchors its brand equity. Distribution extends to digital streaming, podcast appearances and shows, sports and news audio crossovers via the Audacy app, and conventional over-the-air broadcast in the LA market. No proprietary AI or ML capabilities, APIs, SDKs, or integrations are disclosed in the source data; the technical footprint is described as a content delivery layer rather than a software product.
KROQ does not appear as an independent commercial entity; revenue mechanics, customer relationships, and pricing are administered at the Audacy parent level. No station-level revenue, advertiser logos, audience measurement figures, or pricing model details are disclosed. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range, consistent with a single-market terrestrial station, and the station has no independent funding history, cap table, or subsidiary structure recorded in the provided data. As such, KROQ is best evaluated as a brand and audience asset inside a larger public broadcaster rather than as a standalone investable business.
KROQ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KROQ
- Website
- https://audacy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KROQ is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock radio station brand founded in 1972, operated under Audacy and distributed via over-the-air broadcast and Audacy's multi-platform audio streaming service to regional and on-device listeners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KROQ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Music + Podcast Aggregator Super-Apps (MPAIADAF)
Keywords
Where KROQ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
KROQ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
KROQ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KROQ is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock radio station founded in 1972, broadcasting over FM radio and streaming digitally through the Audacy audio platform. It delivers curated alternative rock music programming alongside integrated access to podcasts, sports, and news content available across web, mobile, and connected devices.
Product overview
KROQ operates as part of Audacy's audio streaming platform, which functions as a unified multi-content service rather than separate modular products. The platform integrates radio station streaming, on-demand podcasts, music content, sports audio, and news broadcasts into a single cohesive experience. Users can access all content types (stations, shows, podcasts) across devices through one platform, with free access requiring account registration. The product portfolio consists of content category sections (Music, Podcasts, Sports, News) and discovery tools (Station Directory, All Podcasts) that route through the core streaming platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KROQ Alternative Rock Radio Station Alternative rock music radio station broadcasting over FM in Los Angeles and streaming digitally via Audacy, delivering curated alternative rock programming to listeners.
- Audacy Digital Audio Streaming Platform Integrated digital audio streaming platform offering access to live KROQ radio streaming, on-demand podcasts, music content, sports audio, and news broadcasts across web, mobile, and connected devices.
Companies that use KROQ
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
KROQ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KROQ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves3 records
Expansion highlights2 records
KROQ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Spotify: Global music and podcast streaming platform that increasingly competes with Audacy/KROQ for both listener time and digital audio ad spend, including in the alternative rock genre.
- Townsquare Media: Mid-sized US radio operator with rock and alternative-leaning stations; comparable as a smaller-scale radio group facing the same broadcast-to-digital transition as Audacy and KROQ.
- Cumulus Media: Major US radio operator with alternative rock stations in multiple top markets; comparable to Audacy at the portfolio level and competes with KROQ for national ad budgets and on-air talent.
- iHeartMedia: Largest US radio broadcaster and owner of KYSR Alt 98.7 and hundreds of other stations; operates iHeartRadio, the most direct streaming-radio competitor to Audacy's platform that delivers KROQ.
- SiriusXM: Subscription satellite and streaming radio service with multiple dedicated alternative rock channels; competes with KROQ for in-car and on-demand music listening and for ad-free premium audio budgets.
Direct peers
- KYSR Alt 98.7: iHeartMedia-owned alternative rock station in the Los Angeles market, directly competing with KROQ for alt-rock listeners and LA advertising dollars in the same format and geography.
- KEXP: Seattle-based alternative and indie rock radio station with global digital streaming reach; comparable to KROQ in format positioning, audience demographics, and reliance on digital distribution.
- KCRW: Santa Monica-based public radio station with a strong music/alternative programming mix, competing with KROQ for LA music audiences and advertisers while also operating a digital streaming platform.
- WXRT 93.1: Long-running Chicago alternative rock station owned by Audacy, sharing the same parent and format positioning as KROQ and serving as a direct comparable for station-level economics in another top-3 US market.
Emerging players
- WFMU: Independent, listener-supported freeform radio station based in New Jersey with strong digital streaming presence; comparable to KROQ as a non-mainstream rock-leaning broadcast brand with a loyal niche audience.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
KROQ social profiles
Digital presenceKROQ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KROQ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KROQ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KROQ 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 KROQ
What does KROQ do?
KROQ is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock radio station founded in 1972, broadcasting over FM radio and streaming digitally through the Audacy audio platform. It delivers curated alternative rock music programming alongside integrated access to podcasts, sports, and news content available across web, mobile, and connected devices.
When was KROQ founded?
KROQ was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KROQ based?
KROQ is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
Who are KROQ's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Spotify, Townsquare Media, Cumulus Media, iHeartMedia and SiriusXM. Direct peers are KYSR Alt 98.7, KEXP, KCRW and WXRT 93.1. WFMU is listed as an emerging player.
Does KROQ have an API?
No public API is recorded for KROQ.
What industry is KROQ in?
KROQ's product category is Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only), with a secondary code of MPAIADAF, Music + Podcast Aggregator Super-Apps. Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.