The Dominance of Media Giants in 2025: Clear Channel, CBS, and the Future of Internet Radio

Allen Johnston

aj@asha.com

As I browsed through various news sites recently, it struck me just how immense the influence of Clear Channel and CBS Radio remains—not just in the U.S., but across the global internet radio landscape. These media titans have not only consolidated their dominance over traditional broadcasting but have also expanded aggressively into digital streaming, shaping how the world consumes audio content. 

The CBS-Yahoo Merger and the Royalty Battle 

Yahoo’s LAUNCH cast Radio, once a pioneer in personalized webcasting, drew 3 million monthly listeners before CBS Radio absorbed it in 2025. The reason? Skyrocketing royalties. A federal ruling years earlier had dramatically increased the fees webcasters owed to music companies and songwriters, forcing many platforms—including Yahoo, AOL, and Pandora—to either adapt or exit the market. 

Now, CBS Radio streams not only its own 150+ AM/FM simulcasts but also Yahoo’s former channels and the 200+ AOL Radio stations it acquired. With CBS handling ad sales and Yahoo managing programming, the partnership ensures broader reach, including compatibility with Firefox and Safari, finally breaking free from Internet Explorer’s limitations. 

Clear Channel’s Global Expansion 

Clear Channel, now with over 800 streaming stations, dominates multiple formats—Alternative, Country, Hip-Hop, News Talk, Sports, and more—while expanding internationally into Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Beyond radio, its outdoor advertising empire includes digital billboards, airport displays, and transit ads, creating a nearly omnipresent media footprint. 

The Smartphone Revolution and Internet Radio’s Future 

With high-speed 5G (and now 6G) connectivity standard, smartphones have become the primary devices for streaming radio. Apps like Fly Cast (now owned by a major media conglomerate) allow direct access to branded station streams, while AI-driven personalized radio has become the norm. 

Popular devices in 2025 include: 

- Apple iPhone 17 Pro 

- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 

- Google Pixel 10 

- Meta XR Audio Glasses (streaming audio via AR) 

- Next-gen BlackBerry and Huawei models with enhanced audio AI 

The Opportunity for Independent Creators 

As corporate giants control mainstream radio, niche markets are thriving. Passionate creators can build loyal audiences by producing high-quality, specialized content—whether in podcasting, micro-genre music streams, or localized talk formats. The key? Owning your production studio, leveraging AI tools for editing, and distributing directly via: 

- Social audio platforms (Clubhouse 3.0, X Audio) 

- Blockchain-based tipping systems (for direct monetization) 

- Smartphone-optimized streaming apps 

The Next Frontier: Video and Immersive Audio 

Smartphones now handle 8K streaming, and spatial audio is becoming standard. Independent broadcasters who embrace live video radio, VR concerts, and AI-generated DJs will lead the next wave. 

Final Thought 

The media landscape in 2025 is more consolidated—yet also more decentralized—than ever. While CBS and Clear Channel dominate traditional and internet radio, technology has lowered barriers for independent creators. The future belongs to those who innovate, adapt, and own their content outright. 

Will you be part of the next generation of broadca