MediaCo Reports Strong Year-End Audience Growth
MediaCo announced 'strong' year-end audience growth across its radio portfolio, 'delivering significant gains in key markets and reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing audio companies in the country." The company said, "Driven by increased listening and expanded reach, MediaCo posted robust year-over-year performance across Adults 25-54, with particularly strong results during weekday Prime listening hours, underscoring the continued strength of the company's culturally relevant brands and local-first programming strategy. Top Market Highlights: New York City: +18.3% AQH and +9.9% Share, led by HOT 97's weekday resurgence and steady WBLS performance; Los Angeles: +25.0% AQH and +38.2% Cume, driven by the continued rise of Que Buena LA; Dallas: +31.1% AQH and +15.0% Cume, powered by growth at KNOR and KBOC...MediaCo also delivered strong gains among Adults 18-49, led by HOT 97, Que Buena LA, KRQB, and KTJM, reinforcing the company's connection to culturally engaged, high-value listeners and its ability to drive meaningful engagement across younger demos. Standout Station Performance: HOT 97: +40.6% AQH and +30.6% Share among Adults 18-49, Share among P25-54; +54.3%; Que Buena LA: +25.0% AQH and +17.3% Share among P25-54, with strong weekday growth; KNOR : +45.0% AQH and +21.9% Share among P25-54 driven by increased weekday listening."
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- Viewership Growth: EstrellaTV closed January 2026 with a remarkable 46% year-over-year increase in prime time among Adults 18-49, marking its fourth consecutive month of growth and establishing itself as the fastest-growing Spanish-language network in the U.S.
- Strong Programming Performance: The January results were driven by a compelling mix of timely news, live sports, and popular franchises, including the January 3 news special 'Captura de Nicolás Maduro' and high-energy Liga MX matches, which solidified its appeal among U.S. Hispanic audiences.
- Advertising Market Appeal: MediaCo's Chief Revenue Officer, Brian Fisher, noted that EstrellaTV's sustained audience momentum provides brands with an ideal advertising platform, enabling them to reach engaged Hispanic audiences in premium viewing environments, thereby enhancing advertisers' confidence in their investments.
- Cultural Investment Returns: MediaCo CEO Albert Rodriguez emphasized that the investment in culturally relevant and high-impact programming is paying off, as EstrellaTV strengthens its connection with today's U.S. Hispanic audience, driving long-term business growth.
- Viewership Growth: EstrellaTV achieved four consecutive months of year-over-year growth in January 2026, with a remarkable 46% increase among Adults 18-49, making it the fastest-growing Spanish-language network among major broadcasters.
- Prime Time Performance: In the last week of January, EstrellaTV averaged 33.2k Adults 18-49 viewers during prime time, marking its third-highest weekly performance of the season and contributing to an 18% year-over-year increase for the month.
- Total Day Audience Growth: The network's total day audience reached 17.2k in January, the highest since the launch of Nielsen's Updated Big Data Plus Panel, indicating sustained viewer engagement.
- Programming Driving Success: January's results were fueled by a mix of timely news, live sports, and popular franchises, with CEO Albert Rodriguez noting that the investment in culturally relevant programming is resonating with today's U.S. Hispanic audience.
- Viewership Surge: EstrellaTV achieved a remarkable 46% year-over-year growth in January 2026, marking the largest percentage increase among major Spanish-language broadcasters, which underscores its strong competitive position in the market.
- Audience Engagement Boost: The network averaged 33.2k viewers aged 18-49 in the last week of January, representing its third-highest weekly performance of the season, further solidifying its leadership among Spanish-language TV networks.
- Strong Total Day Performance: EstrellaTV recorded a total day average audience of 17.2k in January, the highest since the launch of Nielsen's Updated Big Data Plus Panel data source, demonstrating its ability to attract viewers across all dayparts.
- Programming Driving Growth: The success in January was fueled by a compelling mix of timely news, live sports, and proven franchises, with CEO Albert Rodriguez noting that the investment in culturally relevant programming is resonating with today's U.S. Hispanic audience.
- Comprehensive Broadcast Plan: EstrellaTV has announced full coverage of Tigres and FC Juárez home matches throughout the 2026 Clausura season, running from January to April 2026, ensuring fans can watch every game.
- Multi-Platform Coverage: All matches will be aired on its linear network, FAST channel, and the EstrellaTV app, including pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows, significantly enhancing viewer engagement and experience.
- Major Market Reach: EstrellaTV will broadcast in local TV stations across major markets including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, and Denver, ensuring a broad audience base and strengthening brand presence.
- Free Viewing Convenience: COO René Santaella emphasized that fans can easily find EstrellaTV to watch games, highlighting the platform's user-friendly and accessible viewing experience.
- New Platform Launch: MediaCo has launched Sigma Audio Networks LLC, integrating multiple brands to provide advertisers access to diverse audiences, which is expected to enhance advertising revenue and market share.
- Viewership Growth: EstrellaTV achieved a 14% annual growth in 2025, particularly among the 18-49 age group, marking its first annual growth since 2018 and indicating increased appeal to younger audiences.
- Impressive Quarterly Performance: According to Nielsen data, EstrellaTV's fourth-quarter viewership increased by 57% compared to the same period in 2024, marking the largest quarterly year-over-year gain in the network's history, further solidifying its market position.
- Market Performance Analysis: MediaCo has a market capitalization of $55.22 million, with its stock down 37.04% over the past 12 months, reflecting weak investor sentiment; despite recent gains, the long-term trend suggests caution is warranted.

- Historic Audience Growth: EstrellaTV achieved a 14% year-over-year increase in P18-49 viewers in 2025, marking its first annual growth since 2018 and the strongest performance in over a decade, significantly enhancing its appeal among U.S. Hispanic audiences.
- Quarterly Growth Momentum: The network's quarterly performance remained robust in 2025, with a 23% year-over-year increase in Q2, a slight 0.3% rise in Q3, and a remarkable 57% growth in Q4, setting a record for the largest quarterly YoY gain in network history, indicating the effectiveness of its content strategy.
- Stable Monthly Performance: EstrellaTV recorded year-over-year gains in 9 of the last 13 months among P18-49 viewers, with particularly strong performance in December, achieving growth for two consecutive Decembers, showcasing the sustained appeal of its programming content.
- Advertising Market Impact: MediaCo's Chief Revenue Officer noted that EstrellaTV is building real, sustainable momentum with younger audiences, and this level of growth is changing the conversation in the advertising marketplace, indicating significant future revenue potential.








