Audacy, Inc.

How Gen Z is rewriting the rules of sports fandom 🏟️📱🎙️ Younger fans aren’t choosing between radio, podcasts, YouTube, social or live events — they expect all of it to work together as one connected sports experience. In this new article, co-Sports Format VPs Chris Kinard and Mitch Rosen break down: • Why sports audio remains central for younger fans • How personalities and creators are driving engagement • The rise of cross-platform sports ecosystems • What brands can learn from today’s evolving fandom behaviors From live radio and podcasts to TikTok, YouTube streams and creator-led content, sports fandom has become participatory, personality-driven and platform agnostic. https://lnkd.in/ezezDu2m

Making Waves and Powering Up in San Diego! We had an incredible time at the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) 2026 Annual Conference last week! As the official Energy Break partner, Audacy took over the Flamingo Lawn on Day 2 to help California’s public sector communicators recharge, literally and figuratively. From distributing wireless chargers to handing out energy drink tickets by “Trixy” the trailer, we loved meeting the leaders who keep our communities informed. Huge thanks to #CAPIO for an inspiring week of storytelling, innovation, and connection. We departed San Diego fully charged and ready to keep making waves! Haley Teare-Lombardo Courtney Hardy-Wagner

Audacy, Inc.’s very own Melissa Capuano joined Ty Tinker MS, BA (AdQuick) and Penelope Hauck (MEFA) at the Brand Innovators Humanity x Creativity Summit, hosted by Havas, for a "reverse panel" to discuss why the future of marketing remains human-led. At Audacy, Inc., we're focused on how AI serves as a powerful accelerant for personalization and discovery in audio, enhancing the human connections that drive real results. Check out the highlights from the session below! 👇

We’re looking forward to seeing Audacy, Inc.’s own Melissa Capuano, SVP of Enterprise Partnerships, take the stage this Thursday in Boston! Melissa will be joined by Ty Tinker MS, BA (AdQuick) and Penelope Hauck (MEFA) at the Brand Innovators Humanity x Creativity Summit, hosted by Havas, for the "AI in Strategy: Human-Led, Machine-Accelerated" panel. Check out the details in her post below 👇

Consumers are overwhelmed by subscriptions — but streaming usage keeps growing. That’s why FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) is becoming one of the most important opportunities for marketers. In our latest Insights, Head of Digital Marketing Solutions, Jenny Sutton, explores how advertisers can use FAST channels to: • Expand OTT reach beyond premium subscription services • Improve cost efficiency • Reach audiences where they actually stream • Pair precision targeting with scalable video inventory As local advertisers rethink linear TV budgets, the smartest media strategies will reflect today’s fragmented viewing habits. https://lnkd.in/e6ReWSkz

MLB Opening Day 2026 underscored something sports media continues to prove out year after year: when complexity rises, audio becomes the constant. With television viewing increasingly fragmented across broadcast, cable, streaming, and exclusive rights packages, fans are often forced to navigate multiple platforms just to follow a single team. Audio doesn’t ask them to do that. More than 2.4 million fans tuned into their team’s Opening Day play-by-play coverage this year, including over 1.4 million listeners across Audacy stations. Even more telling, 75% of Audacy flagship stations ranked #1 or #2 during their Opening Day broadcasts, outperforming competitors in top local markets. But this story isn’t just about scale—it’s about connection. Hometown radio remains one of the most intimate and consistent relationships in sports. The voices of local broadcasters have become part of fans’ seasonal rhythm—traveling with them through commutes, weekends, backyard gatherings, and everyday moments. And audio brings the game to life in a way that complements the screen rather than competes with it. Many fans now pair play-by-play audio with live television, adding context, emotion, and familiarity from the voices they trust most. Opening Day reinforces a simple truth: while platforms evolve, the fan relationship with the game remains deeply rooted in audio—portable, personal, and unmistakably local. https://lnkd.in/evYBudVx

Spring is home improvement season, and for brands trying to reach homeowners, radio continues to outperform digital channels where it matters most. New insights from Audacy’s SVP of Research and Insights, Ray Borelli, show: 🏡 Radio listeners are more likely to be home improvement intenders 📈 Radio drives stronger awareness, consideration & conversion than CTV, search and social 💡 Adding radio to digital campaigns can improve performance by up to 29% 💰 Radio delivers nearly 2X the ROI of CTV For home improvement marketers, the takeaway is clear: audio isn’t just supporting the media mix — it’s driving results. https://lnkd.in/eAJB_xCW

Sports fandom isn’t confined to game time anymore. Today’s fans want more than the final score. They want the context, the personalities, the debates, and the stories that shape what happens on and off the field. That’s exactly why podcasts have become such a powerful force in sports. Over the past five years, sports podcast listening has grown 71% (Edison Research), with Gen Z fans 2x more likely to tune in than traditional fans. This isn’t just a shift in format; it’s a shift in behavior. Podcasts create a deeper kind of connection: • Fans spend more time engaged • They build trust with hosts • They stay connected between games—and even between seasons And increasingly, podcasts are moving beyond the studio. From live shows at major events to community-driven experiences, they’re turning fans into active participants, not just passive listeners. For brands, that matters. Because when fans lean in, attention follows—and so does impact. If you want to understand where real fan energy lives today, look to audio. https://lnkd.in/e7kPbUGq

Congratulations, Chris!

Women’s sports aren’t just having a moment—they’re proving real business impact. As Kit Geis highlighted during our recent Sports Fandom webinar with Jason Newman and Tiki Barber, the equation is simple: highly engaged audiences drive higher purchase intent. And that’s exactly why brands are leaning in. What’s changed? Access and consistency. Fans can now follow their favorite teams and athletes—from the WNBA to the NWSL—with a steady stream of content across platforms. It’s no longer about searching for coverage; it’s showing up in your feed daily. And while traditional outlets like ESPN still play a role, much of the engagement is happening on mobile, social, and audio...where fans are actively choosing deeper, more consistent connections. From local team partnerships to global tentpoles like the FIFA Women's World Cup™, brands are recognizing the opportunity—and in many cases, prioritizing it. The takeaway: this isn’t just growth. It’s a shift in where attention—and investment—is going.