iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s app and online destination for 1,500 radio stations and music discovery, has surpassed 30 million registered users. Hitting that number in less than two years since launch, iHeartRadio says it is second only to Instagram as the fastest-growing digital service in Internet history — a growth rate two times faster than Facebook.
Since iHeartRadio listeners are not required to create an account to stream broadcast radio stations, the number of registered users reflects only a small snapshot of the service’s overall reach, particularly given the 175 million downloads of the iHeartRadio mobile app and more than 60 million monthly uniques across its digital network, says the site.
iHeartRadio’s recent placement on the iTunes Top 20 All-Time Free Apps list and coupled with its rapid growth points to a larger trend in consumer listening habits. Recent numbers from Katz Radio Group reported that broadcast radio comprises 92.4% of all audio listening, with digital claiming a 7.6% stake. CCME says that means iHeartRadio is bringing increased incremental listening to Clear Channel’s 243 million monthly broadcast listeners.
“iHeartRadio sets the standard for how radio continues to fit into people’s everyday lives. This latest milestone is another clear indication how our full-featured iHeartRadio experience resonates with tens of millions of people with more coming every day,” said Brian Lakamp, President of Digital for CCME. “Being able to draw on Clear Channel’s unparalleled range of resources allows us to continually innovate and improve on the user experience, while giving listeners access to both live radio and custom stations. When you combine this with the strong promotional power of Clear Channel’s broadcast properties across the nation, iHeartRadio is well-positioned to continue or even surpass our current adoption rate.”
iHeartRadio offers access broadcast and digital-only radio stations from more than 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs. In addition to Clear Channel’s 850 radio stations, iHeartRadio also includes radio groups including Univision, Cumulus, Greater Media, WNYC NY, EMF’s Contemporary Christian Air1 and KLove stations, college radio, Cox, Emmis, Salem and others.
