In a move that could reshape the digital audio landscape, Stingray Group Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire TuneIn Holdings, Inc. for up to $175 million, cementing its ambitions to become a global powerhouse in streaming audio and advertising technology.
The transaction, expected to close by the end of 2025, will see Stingray pay $150 million upfront and up to $25 million a year later, contingent on performance. Backed by a newly secured $150 million term loan, the deal reflects confidence in TuneIn’s financial trajectory—forecasting $110 million in sales and $30 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2025.
Building a Global Audio Empire
For Stingray—already known for its music and video content distribution, in-store business services, and ad solutions—the acquisition of TuneIn adds scale and immediacy to its digital ambitions. TuneIn’s global audience of 75 million monthly active listeners across more than 100,000 radio stations, podcasts, music, sports, and news channels makes it one of the largest live audio streaming platforms in the world.
“This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in Stingray’s journey to further strengthen its position as a global leader in audio entertainment and digital advertising sales,” said Eric Boyko, President, Co-founder, and CEO of Stingray. “By merging Stingray’s distribution capabilities with TuneIn’s advertising technology and partnerships, we’re redefining audio for a connected world.”
The merger will also amplify Stingray’s footprint in the automotive sector, where both companies already have integrations with major manufacturers. TuneIn’s presence across 200+ platforms and 50+ in-car audio systems complements Stingray’s expansive catalog of premium content and technology infrastructure.
AdTech Meets Audio Streaming
This isn’t just an audio play—it’s an AdTech strategy. TuneIn brings a mature ad monetization system with targeted audio, video, and display advertising, strengthening Stingray’s ability to serve advertisers with data-driven precision. As global brands pour money into digital audio—projected to exceed $13 billion globally by 2026—this acquisition positions Stingray to compete head-on with players like Spotify and iHeartMedia.
Post-acquisition, the combined entity is projected to surpass US$400 million (CA$560 million) in pro forma revenue, creating a formidable global audio network capable of connecting brands with one of the most engaged listener bases in the market.
“Stingray is the ideal partner to propel TuneIn’s next chapter of growth,” said Richard Stern, CEO of TuneIn. “Together, we can accelerate our mission of delivering the world’s best audio content while creating powerful new opportunities for advertisers.”
If successful, this deal won’t just make Stingray a bigger player in music and media—it could redefine how streaming audio, advertising, and connected devices converge in the next phase of media evolution.
