Dees Entertainment

What Dees Entertainment does

Dees Entertainment, operated through Rick.com, LLC, is a privately-held, founder-owned entertainment and media company headquartered at 3601 W. Olive Avenue, Burbank, California, with a staff of approximately 24 employees. The company is the operating vehicle for Rick Dees, a Grammy-nominated Platinum Recording Artist and broadcast pioneer whose career is anchored by the 1976 #1 Billboard hit "Disco Duck" (6+ million copies sold) and the launch in October 1983 of the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 — the longest continually running hit music countdown in radio history, now reaching 70 million listeners weekly across 125 countries.

The product portfolio spans four pillars: (1) syndicated radio content via the Weekly Top 40, distributed through iHeartRadio and the Armed Forces Radio Network; (2) digital consumer products including the Rick Dees Hit Music mobile app (iOS/Android, freemium) and the BYOChannel custom-streaming platform; (3) music releases under the DISCO DUCK® trademark, including the January 2025 "Disco Duck MAX" streaming release; and (4) B2B podcast and broadcast production services through Dees Digital Studios (equipped with Adobe Audition, Vox Pro, Aphex mic processing, and a SAS Rubicon Console). The technology base is conventional broadcast production tooling rather than proprietary IP.

The business model combines advertising and licensing from radio syndication, freemium mobile subscription revenue, professional services fees from Dees Digital Studios, music royalty/licensing income from streaming platforms, and one-time sales of ancillary merchandise (e.g., the Greatest Desserts cookbook). Go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer (rick.com, mobile apps, streaming services) supplemented by channel partners (iHeartRadio) and community-led engagement through the weekly Countdown Challenge. The company has disclosed no external funding, no parent company, and no institutional investors; ownership and control reside with the founder.

Name

Dees Entertainment

Legal name

Rick.com, LLC

Website

https://rick.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dees Entertainment is a founder-owned, Burbank-based entertainment company operating the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 countdown, the Rick Dees Hit Music streaming app, the BYOChannel platform, Dees Digital Studios podcast production, and the DISCO DUCK® music brand, reaching 70 million listeners weekly across 125 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Broadcasting and Streaming

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Record Production and Distribution (512250), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)

akta.pro primary industry

Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD), Live Podcast Recordings (MPAGACAJ)

Keywords

• Radio broadcasting
• Music streaming
• Podcast production
• Music countdown
• Entertainment media

Headquarters

HQ city

Burbank

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Radio Syndication: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 syndicated globally generating advertising and licensing revenue across multiple stations and platforms.
2. Podcast Production Services: State-of-the-art digital broadcast studios providing podcast production, recording, and broadcasting services to entertainment artists and guests.
3. Mobile Application: Rick Dees Hit Music app providing branded mobile experience with multiple music channels.
4. Dessert Book Sales: Rick Dees All-Time Top 40 Greatest Desserts cookbook with proceeds donated to the Salvation Army.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dees Entertainment produces and distributes the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, the longest continually running hit music countdown in radio history, reaching 70 million listeners across 125 countries. The company also operates the Rick Dees Hit Music mobile streaming app, the BYOChannel custom streaming platform, music releases (Disco Duck, Disco Duck MAX), and Dees Digital Studios offering podcast and broadcast production services.

Product overview

Dees Entertainment operates Rick Dees' digital entertainment empire centered around the Rick.com platform. The core offering is the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40, the longest continually running hit music countdown in radio history, syndicated globally to over 200 countries and reaching 70 million listeners. This is complemented by the Rick Dees Hit Music mobile app providing on-demand streaming across multiple genre channels. The product portfolio includes music releases (Disco Duck, Disco Duck MAX), the BYOChannel music streaming platform, Dees Digital Studios for podcast production, the Countdown Challenge interactive quiz feature, and an extensive collection of recipes and cooking content including pie recipes, burger guides, and specialty drinks. The company maintains presence across major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Disco Duck: Iconic 1976 hit song that became a cultural phenomenon, later reimagined as Disco Duck MAX in 2025
• Rick Dees Weekly Top 40
• Rick Dees Hit Music App
• Countdown Challenge

Products and services

• Rick Dees Hit Music App Free mobile application providing streaming access to Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 music channels on iOS and Android devices, offering multiple genre channels including Hit Radio, Hot Adult, 90s, 80s, and Dees2K editions. Targeted at music enthusiasts seeking curated hit music streaming.
• Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 The longest continually running hit music countdown in radio history, syndicating globally to over 200 countries and reaching 70 million ears. The show features the hottest hit music, hosted by Rick Dees with his Cast of Idiots, airing every weekend.
• Disco Duck Grammy-nominated 1976 hit song by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots that reached #1 on Billboard Hot 100, selling over 4 million copies and earning a People's Choice Award. Featured in the film Saturday Night Fever.
• Disco Duck MAX Reimagined version of the iconic Disco Duck, released January 31, 2025, available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer.
• BYOChannel Platform that allows users to build their own music stream, add their voice, and customize their experience. An entrepreneur venture by Rick Dees that enables music enthusiasts to create personalized radio channels.
• Dees Digital Studios State-of-the-art digital broadcast studios located 8-10 minutes from Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, offering podcast production, artist recording, and broadcaster services with professional equipment including Adobe Audition, Vox Pro, and SAS Rubicon Console.
• Countdown Challenge Weekly quiz game tied to the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 where listeners answer music trivia questions to win prizes including Amazon shopping sprees. Correct entries are automatically entered into a random drawing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 million listeners weekly in 125 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• iHeartRadiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRick Dees Weekly Top 40 is syndicated through iHeart radio stations and iHeart platforms, reaching audiences through iHeart's extensive radio network and digital platforms.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Townsquare Media: Townsquare Media is a US-focused radio and digital media company operating local stations and digital properties. Comparable as a regional commercial radio operator with multi-platform distribution of music and personality content.

Emerging players

• TuneIn: TuneIn is an internet radio and audio streaming aggregator offering live radio, music, sports, and podcasts. Comparable as a digital audio platform competing for live-radio listening and podcast discovery audiences.
• Deezer: Deezer is a global music streaming service that distributes Disco Duck MAX. Comparable as a DSP that monetizes the same catalog and competes for streaming subscription share internationally.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Spotify is the world's largest music streaming platform and one of the distribution channels for Disco Duck and Disco Duck MAX. Comparable as the dominant on-demand music streaming destination competing for the same listener time and attention.
• Cumulus Media: Cumulus Media (including Westwood One) operates hundreds of US radio stations and syndicates nationally distributed countdown programming. Comparable as a large-scale commercial radio and syndication incumbent.
• Audacy: Audacy is a major US radio broadcaster with extensive hit-music programming, podcasts, and digital streaming via the Audacy app. Comparable as a multi-platform radio and podcast operator competing for the same national audience and ad dollars.
• iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest US radio broadcaster and operator of iHeartRadio, the syndication partner that distributes the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40. It is comparable as the dominant incumbent in commercial hit-music radio syndication and digital audio distribution.
• Apple Music: Apple Music is a major global music streaming subscription service and a distribution partner for Rick Dees' music catalog. Comparable as a large-scale DSP that competes for streaming listener share and royalty pools.
• SiriusXM: SiriusXM is a satellite and streaming audio service offering music channels, talk, and personality-driven programming. Comparable as a subscription-based music and personality audio platform reaching a national US audience.

Direct peers

• American Top 40 (Ryan Seacrest / Premiere Networks): American Top 40 is the direct-format competitor to Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 — a nationally syndicated weekly hit-music countdown hosted by a marquee personality and distributed via Premiere Networks/iHeart. Most directly comparable as a like-for-like countdown radio show.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/officialrickdees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dees-entertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Dees Entertainment