iHeartMedia Begins Layoffs as Part of Restructuring Plan

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iHeartMedia is undergoing staff cuts as the company embarks on the process of restructuring its radio programming.

In a memo sent to employees this week, executives outlined a need to speed up the sales process after building new tech capabilities over the past few years. The memo does not detail the exact number of employees impacted, and iHeartMedia declined to comment on the number, but reports have put it in the dozens.

The move also comes after iHeartMedia announced a cost-saving plan that is meant to lead to $50 million of annualized cost savings. The plan, announced in May, was set to begin in the second half of 2026, and comes in addition to the $100 million of previously announced savings.

“We also know that our sellers need faster and easier to use information about our programming, talent and audiences. Faster is better, and that’s the goal of our changes. With that in mind, we’ve built new tech capabilities over the last several years that have enabled us to both deepen our relationships with the listeners and communities who depend on us and improve the support we provide to our sellers. We’re now moving to scale this approach, implementing structural changes within our Programming organization and expanding responsibilities for key leaders,” chief programming officer Tom Poleman and Multiplatform Group CEO Ann Marie Licata wrote in the memo.

“While we will be creating new roles to support our future needs, we also recognize that some colleagues and existing positions will be impacted as part of these changes. We have given this a great deal of thought and do not take this step lightly; we are deeply grateful for the contributions of those affected, and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition,” the memo continues.

The full memo is below:

Hi all,

As the number one company in audio, our business model is to build engaged relationships with listeners and then monetize those relationships. Our business success is built on putting our listeners and our communities first – and in support of that mission, we’re now taking an important step that will move us further into the future: Evolving how we program our stations to reward and develop our leading and up-and-coming talent.

What sets us apart as a company is our dedication to creating new opportunities for our top personalities, making sure ‘Guaranteed Human’ is at the core of everything we do. Real voices and real talent strengthen our real connection and commitment to our communities.

We also know that our sellers need faster and easier to use information about our programming, talent and audiences. Faster is better, and that’s the goal of our changes. With that in mind, we’ve built new tech capabilities over the last several years that have enabled us to both deepen our relationships with the listeners and communities who depend on us and improve the support we provide to our sellers. We’re now moving to scale this approach, implementing structural changes within our Programming organization and expanding responsibilities for key leaders.

These moves are designed to:

Expand and deepen our support for our communities, markets and sales teams;
Fully leverage our technology to deliver an even stronger product for listeners wherever they live;
Move faster and operate with greater precision across markets; and
Position us not just to adapt to the future, but to lead it.

While we will be creating new roles to support our future needs, we also recognize that some colleagues and existing positions will be impacted as part of these changes. We have given this a great deal of thought and do not take this step lightly; we are deeply grateful for the contributions of those affected, and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition.

At every step, our commitment remains the same: To build a stronger, more connected audio platform built on the strength of our broadcast radio assets, and combining our commitment to the communities we serve with the scale of our technology and the authenticity and creativity of our people.

Ann Marie and Tom