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iHeartMedia Inc Receives Approval from Federal Communications Commission to Reallocate Foreign Stakes and Extend Prior Foreign-Ownership Clearances
The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau on July 7, 2026, issued a declaratory ruling that permits iHeartMedia Inc. to transfer and expand certain foreign ownership interests in the company while reaffirming prior approvals that let aggregate foreign equity and voting stakes exceed the 25% benchmark in section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act (MB Docket No. 25-200). The ruling allows a shift of interests tied to Global Media & Entertainment Investments Ltd. to a related United Kingdom-based corporate entity and grants specific clearance for a group of foreign individuals and entities associated with the proposed arrangement. iHeart had asked the Commission to approve the participation of Global Media Investments Limited (GMI) and several affiliated persons and entities in the shareholdings currently traceable to Global Media & Entertainment Investments Ltd. (GMEI), an investor already approved in prior FCC rulings. The company said the changes will not increase the total foreign ownership in iHeart beyond the 14.99% cap previously authorized for the GMEI group, and that ultimate beneficial ownership and control remain tied to the same principal investor. The Bureau noted the history of prior approvals: a 2020 declaratory ruling had authorized up to 100% aggregate foreign investment in iHeart's controlling U.S. parent and granted specific approvals for certain institutional investors, and a 2021 ruling remedied and approved GMEI's then-new interest. Those earlier decisions were conditioned on commitments iHeart made to the U.S. Department of Justice under a Letter of Agreement executed in 2020, a requirement the Bureau carried forward in the new ruling. Under the July 7 order, the Commission granted specific and advance approval for a list of foreign-organized entities and individuals to hold more than 5% of iHeart's equity and/or voting interests, and to increase their combined stake up to 14.99% in the aggregate. The approved entities include Global Media & Entertainment Investments Ltd. (The Bahamas), The Global Media & Entertainment Investments Trust (The Bahamas), Global Media Investments Limited (United Kingdom), Global Radio Group Ltd. (Bailiwick of Jersey), and Global Media & Entertainment Worldwide Ltd. (British Virgin Islands). Named individuals granted approval include the principal investor and certain trustees and advisors associated with the trust and corporate entities. The decision also reaffirmed prior approvals for the PIMCO group of funds and related foreign-organized entities to hold specified equity and voting percentages--the PIMCO funds may collectively hold up to 32.99% of equity and up to 19.99% of voting interests, and up to 19.99% voting interests attributable to four foreign-organized entities in the PIMCO vertical chain remain permitted. The Bureau said it exercised discretion not to formally refer the petition to Executive Branch agencies for additional review because the proposed changes are limited, the ultimate beneficial ownership remains the same, and the company continues to be bound by the DOJ Letter of Agreement. The ruling notes the Commission typically defers to Executive Branch expertise on national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy concerns, but that referral may be unnecessary in circumstances where prior interagency review and continuing conditions address potential risks. The Department of Justice provided informal concurrence with that approach and later memorialized its views in correspondence to the Commission. No public comments were filed in response to the Bureau's notice seeking input on the petition, the order states. The Bureau found that granting the petition would serve the public interest by preserving iHeart's access to foreign investment capital, enhancing its competitiveness with other media companies, and potentially encouraging reciprocal investment opportunities for U.S. firms abroad. The Commission emphasized that the approved foreign entities and individuals are organized in or citizens of allied countries, including the United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Jersey, and the British Virgin Islands. The ruling carries conditions. iHeart must remain in compliance with the Letter of Agreement with DOJ, which includes requirements such as designating a U.S.-based security officer, safeguarding personally identifiable and geolocation data, notifying DOJ of material business changes, and filing an annual compliance report. The FCC incorporated those commitments into the grant and warned that failure to comply could lead to termination of authorizations, monetary sanctions, or other enforcement measures. The order also reiterates iHeart's ongoing obligation to monitor foreign equity and voting interests, to calculate holdings in accordance with FCC rules, and to seek Commission approval before any foreign individual, entity, or group acquires more than the thresholds that trigger specific review. If iHeart becomes aware that it is out of compliance with the ruling or applicable foreign ownership rules, it must notify the Commission within 30 days and may face remedial measures. The declaratory ruling takes effect upon release and is issued under the Commission's delegated authority to the Media Bureau. The decision explicitly incorporates prior approvals and conditions and lays out the list of approved entities and individuals that may hold or increase interests in iHeart within the specified limits (MB Docket No. 25-200).