Cumulus Media (NASDAQ:CMLS), Inc. is one of the largest owners and operators of AM and FM radio stations in the United States. Founded in 1997 by Lewis Dickey Jr., the company has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic station launches to serve major metropolitan markets nationwide. In addition to local broadcast operations, Cumulus Media expanded its content syndication footprint in 2013 with the acquisition of Westwood One, a leading audio network that provides advertisers and affiliate stations with sports, talk, entertainment and news programming.
The company’s portfolio encompasses hundreds of terrestrial radio stations across more than 90 markets, ranging from top‐ranked metropolitan areas to key regional centers. Cumulus Media offers advertisers access to diverse audience demographics through music formats that include Top 40, country, rock and urban, as well as talk and sports formats. Its Westwood One division distributes live sports coverage, syndicated talk shows and specialty programming, reaching listeners both on traditional airwaves and through digital platforms such as streaming audio and podcast networks.
Throughout its history, Cumulus Media has pursued growth in digital and programmatic advertising solutions, integrating advanced audience targeting and data analytics to complement its on-air capabilities. The company’s digital strategy includes on‐demand audio, mobile applications and collaborative partnerships with digital content providers to enhance listener engagement and advertiser return on investment. This multichannel approach aims to leverage the enduring reach of broadcast radio alongside emerging digital consumption habits.
Cumulus Media’s leadership team is anchored by co-founder and Executive Chairman John Dickey, whose tenure has shaped the company’s expansion and strategic direction. Under his guidance, senior executives oversee programming, sales, finance and digital innovation to maintain Cumulus’s competitive position in the evolving audio marketplace. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company continues to balance local market expertise with national content distribution, striving to deliver compelling audio experiences for audiences and effective marketing solutions for advertisers.
