Why It Matters
iHeartMedia’s Q3 2025 lobbying agenda reflects an industry in acute financial distress. The nation’s largest radio broadcaster faces collapsing ad revenue—S&P Global projects national radio spot ad revenue will decline 5% to $1.76 billion in 2025—while iHeartMedia reported a 5.4% revenue decline in Q2 2025 and announced $150 million in cost cuts through layoffs.
The company fights three interconnected battles that will determine terrestrial radio’s survival. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act addresses an immediate threat: Tesla and other automakers are removing AM radios from vehicles, potentially shrinking iHeart’s listener base by millions. The proposed American Music Fairness Act would impose new performance royalties—a cost structure iHeart argues would be fatal to struggling stations. The advertising tax deduction fight preserves iHeart’s fundamental revenue model.
By the Numbers
iHeartMedia Inc. spent $993,010 on in-house lobbying in Q3 2025, deploying a four-person team. The company has maintained continuous lobbying since 2003, filing 78 disclosures totaling over $86 million across two decades.
The in-house team blends deep Hill experience with bipartisan reach. Jessica Wallace Marventano, iHeart’s veteran since 2004, served as Legislative Counsel to Rep. Billy Tauzin and Counsel for House Energy and Commerce. David R. Pigue, hired in April 2024, recently served as Counsel for Sen. Dan Sullivan. Sophia N. Gonzalez, also hired in April 2024, provides Democratic access through recent roles with Senators Gillibrand and Ossoff.
The Agenda
iHeartMedia lobbies on three critical fronts as it battles declining revenue and financial distress.
The company pushes for passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would mandate automakers include AM radio capability in new vehicles. The legislation frames this as public safety, emphasizing AM stations form the Emergency Alert System backbone. The bill enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support.
iHeartMedia simultaneously fights the American Music Fairness Act, which would require terrestrial broadcasters to pay performance royalties to recording artists—potentially existential costs for the struggling industry. The company supports the competing Local Radio Freedom Act, expressing congressional opposition to new performance fees.
Finally, iHeartMedia advocates preserving full deductibility of advertising expenses. Any limitation would effectively tax advertising spending and suppress revenue when the industry faces severe streaming competition.
Broader Context
The broadcast radio industry faces 5.0% revenue decline in 2025, with radio broadcasters particularly distressed due to linear advertising reliance. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia is restructuring $4.1 billion in debt through widespread layoffs.
The legislative priorities directly address core threats as a legacy industry loses listeners to streaming platforms.
Between The Lines
Congress actively engages broadcast radio’s concerns. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support, with Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Rep. Frank Pallone reintroducing the House version.
On copyright, competing narratives dominate. The Local Radio Freedom Act has garnered bipartisan support opposing performance fees, while the American Music Fairness Act has powerful music industry advocates. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Alex Padilla called the current system an "outdated loophole," while Reps. Darrell Issa and Jerry Nadler framed reintroduction as modernizing the system.
Competitive Landscape
iHeartMedia’s lobbying unfolds within a coordinated industry ecosystem, with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) serving as the central organizing force.
The overlap between iHeartMedia’s priorities and NAB’s agenda is nearly complete—both push the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, support the Local Radio Freedom Act, and oppose the American Music Fairness Act. This suggests a unified industry front against the Recording Academy, American Federation of Musicians, and SoundExchange actively lobbying for performance royalties.
The Bottom Line
iHeartMedia Inc. deployed a $993,010 lobbying effort in Q3 2025 focused on mandated AM radio in vehicles, fighting new music royalties, and protecting advertising tax deductions. These priorities reflect an industry under significant financial pressure, with iHeartMedia managing debt restructuring and revenue declines. The campaign leverages experienced staff and aligns with broader industry efforts through the National Association of Broadcasters, signaling coordinated efforts to preserve terrestrial radio amid streaming competition.
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