Urban One Posts Narrower Quarterly Loss, Revs Fall 16%

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 10:12am CT

Urban One

Urban One reported a smaller net loss for the third quarter of 2025 as the company continued to absorb the impact of a challenging advertising market and recent impairment charges tied to its radio broadcasting assets. For the quarter ended September 30, the company posted a net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a loss of $31.8 million, or $0.68 per share, in the same period last year.

Net revenue fell 16% to $92.7 million, from $110.4 million a year earlier, reflecting declines across its radio, digital, and cable television segments. Operating income improved to $2.5 million, reversing a $26.2 million loss in the prior-year quarter when the company booked substantial impairment charges.

Radio Broadcasting revenue decreased to $34.7 million from $39.7 million, with both local and national advertising down. Digital operations, including iONE Digital and HipHopWired, saw revenue decline to $12.7 million from $18.3 million, reflecting lower digital ad demand. Reach Media, which syndicates the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and other programs, recorded $6.1 million in revenue, compared to $10.2 million in Q3 2024.

For the first nine months of 2025, Urban One reported a net loss of $92.5 million, widening from $68.8 million in the prior-year period. Total revenue declined 17% to $276.5 million from $332.5 million last year. Results included $136.5 million in impairment charges during the first half of 2025, primarily related to goodwill and radio broadcast licenses. The company recently shifted those licenses from indefinite-lived to finite-lived intangible assets to better reflect long-term industry trends.

As of September 30, 2025, Urban One reported cash and cash equivalents of $79.3 million, down from $137.1 million at year-end 2024. Long-term debt stood at $484.3 million, compared to $579.1 million at the end of last year, aided by debt repurchases totaling $51.9 million year-to-date.

Urban One said in its filing that results continue to reflect "industry and macroeconomic conditions along with ongoing declines in national and local radio listenership." The company noted that its diversification into digital, cable, and event-based revenue streams remains a central strategy as it adapts to changing audience and advertiser behavior.