iHeartRadio, the flagship brand of iHeartMedia, began in August 2008 as a freemium radio and music streaming service under Clear Channel Communications. Initially a website offering access to hundreds of stations, it quickly launched its first app for iPhone in October 2008, rapidly expanding to over 250 devices and platforms globally. The service solidified its free, all-in-one experience with thousands of live radio and custom artist stations in September 2011, marked by the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival. Clear Channel subsequently rebranded as iHeartMedia in 2014, fully embracing the popular iHeart umbrella. Since then, iHeartRadio has diversified its offerings, introducing podcasts, a curated children's app called iHeartRadio Family, and subscription tiers like iHeartRadio Plus and All Access by late 2016, while also expanding internationally.