SiriusXM raised its full-year 2026 outlook by $25 million across its three guidance metrics, citing subscription value from sports programming that now includes Audacy’s local sports stations. The 24 stations, added September 1, would rank third among SiriusXM’s sports destinations by listenership, behind NFL Radio and ESPN Radio, the company said.
CEO Jennifer Witz said more than 80% of Audacy-station listeners are tuning in outside their home markets, following familiar local voices covering teams such as Philadelphia’s Eagles, Phillies, 76ers and Flyers. Nineteen Audacy news/talk stations are expected to join later this year.
Advertising revenue edged up to $456 million in the quarter and rose 3% to $1.32 billion for the first nine months. Growth in podcasting, programmatic advertising and technology fees helped offset weaker streaming-music and satellite-ad demand. Pandora and off-platform advertising revenue increased 1% to $419 million.
Pandora’s audience metrics declined: ad-supported listening hours fell 10% to 2.25 billion, monthly active users dropped 7% to 38.8 million, and self-pay Pandora Plus and Premium subscribers decreased 3% to about 5.5 million. Revenue per thousand listening hours rose to $91.63 from $91.24.