LG and iHeartRadio Bet on the Smart TV as the Home's New Audio Hub

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. – June 02, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant shift in home entertainment, LG Electronics has integrated iHeartMedia’s massive audio library into its free LG Radio+ service. This partnership brings over 850 live radio stations and the nation’s largest podcast catalog directly to millions of LG Smart TVs, transforming the television from a purely visual device into a comprehensive audio hub. While on the surface it’s another content deal, a deeper look reveals a calculated play by both companies to define the future of the connected home, where the battle for user attention is fought not just screen by screen, but room by room.

A Major Upgrade for the Living Room

For owners of LG Smart TVs running webOS 6.0 or higher, the change is immediate and substantial. The formerly modest LG Radio+ app, accessible from the home screen, is now a formidable audio portal. Without any subscription fees, users gain access to iHeartRadio’s full suite of content—from local news radio stations pinpointed by zip code to nationally syndicated talk shows and a podcast library that surpasses its next two competitors combined.

"With radio stations, podcasts and music being a vital companion in our daily lives, LG Radio+ makes it easier than ever to tune in to a curated list of audio streaming content," said Matthew Durgin, VP of MS Content and Services at LG Electronics USA.

The integration positions LG Radio+ as a powerful free alternative in a crowded market. While platforms like Spotify and Pandora have long been available on smart TVs, their focus is primarily on personalized music playlists and algorithm-driven discovery. The iHeartRadio integration gives LG a distinct advantage by leaning into the enduring power of live radio. It caters to the 93% of American adults who still tune into AM/FM radio monthly, offering the familiar comfort of local broadcasts alongside the on-demand nature of modern streaming.

This move directly addresses the fragmented user experience that often plagues smart homes. Instead of juggling multiple apps or casting from a phone, users can now access a vast audio universe directly through their TV's native interface. This convenience is a cornerstone of LG's strategy, aiming to make its webOS platform the undisputed center of the home entertainment ecosystem.

A Strategic Alliance in a Converging Market

Beyond user convenience, this partnership is a deeply strategic maneuver for both LG and iHeartMedia, each seeking to fortify its position in a rapidly converging digital landscape. For LG, this is a critical step in its evolution from a hardware manufacturer to a “Smart Life Solution Company.” The company’s webOS platform is the centerpiece of this transformation, and enriching it with exclusive or deeply integrated content is key to increasing user engagement and, consequently, advertising revenue. With its webOS-based content and ad business already showing solid growth, adding iHeartMedia’s ad-supported content creates a powerful new revenue stream within its own ecosystem.

For iHeartMedia, the alliance is about ubiquity. As the leading audio company in America, its strategy hinges on being accessible on every platform where its audience might be. "This integration reflects our commitment to meeting listeners everywhere they are, making premium audio content even more accessible in a seamless experience across the connected home," said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeart Digital Audio Group.

The partnership provides iHeartMedia a direct conduit into millions of living rooms via LG’s significant smart TV market share. This is crucial as listening habits evolve, with smart TVs and connected devices becoming increasingly important for in-home audio consumption. The deal allows iHeartMedia to expand its ad inventory into the lucrative Connected TV (CTV) space, a market where programmatic ad spending is projected to soar. The company’s financial reports underscore this focus, with digital audio revenue growing 14.1% and podcast revenue surging 24.5% in the last quarter of 2025. This collaboration with LG is set to fuel that growth, leveraging iHeartMedia’s advanced SmartAudio programmatic targeting to deliver highly relevant ads within the home environment.

Beyond the Screen: A Unified Audio Ecosystem

Perhaps the most forward-looking aspect of this partnership is how it extends beyond the television screen. The press release confirms that LG Radio+ will be accessible through the LG ThinQ® app, allowing users to stream iHeartRadio content to compatible LG audio devices. Furthermore, a dedicated 'My' button on LG's XBOOM speakers is planned for 2026, offering one-touch access to the service. This multi-device strategy reveals LG's ultimate ambition: to create a truly seamless and interconnected audio ecosystem.

This vision aligns perfectly with the broader trends shaping the smart home. Consumers now own an average of nearly 18 connected devices, and they expect them to work together flawlessly. LG is positioning its ThinQ platform as the central nervous system for this environment, where the TV acts as a command center and content flows effortlessly to soundbars, smart speakers, and other appliances. By integrating a content giant like iHeartMedia at the platform level, LG ensures that its hardware is not just a collection of standalone products, but a unified system that delivers a superior, holistic experience.

The investment in AI-powered audio optimization and multi-room capabilities further supports this strategy. LG is not simply providing access to content; it is building an intelligent framework that can tailor the listening experience to the user’s environment and preferences. This partnership is a foundational piece of that framework, providing the critical mass of content needed to make LG's connected ecosystem an indispensable part of daily life for its customers.