On more than 85 iHeartMedia stations across the U.S., it's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.
iHeart's annual holiday tradition has begun, as broadcast stations in its key markets today switched to the sounds of the season, airing 24/7 through Christmas Day. As always, the holiday hit mix spans more than eight decades, with Christmas classics from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra to Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande.
Also returning this year is the “iHeartRadio Holiday Special” airing nationwide on iHeartMedia stations and on the iHeartRadio app on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. local time. Hosted by Mario Lopez, the special will feature interviews with Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson, and others discussing their favorite holiday songs and traditions.
Additionally, the iHeartRadio app is offering original holiday music stations such as the Santa Claus-hosted “North Pole Radio,” “iHeart Christmas Classics,” and the “iHeart Christmas” channel for all the holiday favorites, along with genre-based stations like iHeartCountry Christmas, iHeart Christmas Jazz, iHeart Christmas Rock, and iHeart Christmas R&B.
“Year after year, as the Christmas season approaches, listeners look to our stations as the holiday music destination, anticipating the return of their favorite songs, from the timeless classics like 'Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree' to Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You',” iHeartMedia Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman said in a release. “Listeners around the country have really come to rely on our stations to kick off the season. These songs ignite their spirits and evoke memories; hearing the music is nostalgic. That’s what also makes this Holiday Special, well, so special, because it’s their favorite artists sharing their personal holiday memories with their fans. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year!”