APM, StreamGuys Launch Public Radio Ad Network

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, April 13, 2026 | 2:43pm CT

APM and StreamGuys

American Public Media (APM) and StreamGuys have partnered to launch Inform Media Network, a new underwriting and sponsorship marketplace designed to help local public radio stations grow digital revenue.

The network provides a centralized national sales platform that enables stations to monetize unsold digital inventory across podcasts and livestreams. At launch, Inform Media Network includes more than 30 public media organizations, representing over 55 million monthly impressions and reaching more than 6 million unique listeners.

The initiative is aimed at addressing a key challenge for public radio operators: connecting local stations with national advertisers while maintaining the standards and sound expected by public media audiences. The network offers FCC-compliant underwriting messages, avoiding the automated and often less tailored creative associated with traditional programmatic ad networks.

Participating stations will also gain access to audience insights to support local sales efforts, along with the ability to sell underwriting tied to APM's national podcast portfolio, including titles such as Marketplace, This Old House Radio Hour, and The Slowdown.

StreamGuys will handle technical infrastructure, onboarding, and payment processing, while measurement and analytics will be powered by Magellan AI. The companies say the service is offered at no cost to stations, with the goal of minimizing operational complexity.

APM said the network was developed based on its experience operating both national programming and local stations, identifying an opportunity to better monetize out-of-market audiences for national advertisers while preserving value for local sponsors.

More than 30 organizations have already joined Inform Media Network, including KBEM, WSHU, KVCR, KQED, KERA, WHYY, WBUR, WBEZ and others, spanning formats from news-talk to music.

Executives from both companies emphasized that the network is designed to offer a coordinated, scalable approach to digital audio underwriting while maintaining the editorial and creative standards associated with public radio.