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Townsquare Media (TSQ)
NYSE:TSQ

Townsquare Media (TSQ) AI Stock Analysis

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TSQ

Townsquare Media

(NYSE:TSQ)

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Neutral 55 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:55Neutral
Price Target:
$6.00
▼(-10.98% Downside)
The score is held back primarily by financial risk—declining revenue and a highly leveraged, negative-equity balance sheet—despite improved profitability and cash conversion. Valuation is supportive (low P/E and high yield), and technicals are moderately positive, while the latest earnings call suggests digital strengths but ongoing structural headwinds in remnant and broadcast revenue.
Positive Factors
Digital Revenue Mix
A digital-first mix now constituting 55% of revenue reduces reliance on declining broadcast ad markets. This structural shift supports more scalable, data-driven advertising sales, higher recurring revenue potential, and better long-term margin stability as digital monetization and programmatic channels mature.
Programmatic Growth
Consistent high single-digit programmatic growth indicates the company is capturing automation and audience-targeted ad demand. Programmatic scale delivers higher yield per impression and operational leverage, supporting long-term revenue diversification and reduced exposure to traditional spot-ad volatility.
Cash Conversion & Margin Improvement
Strong cash conversion and positive net margins after prior losses improve financial resilience. Reliable operating cash generation supports ongoing investment in digital initiatives, funds working capital needs, and provides some buffer for servicing debt—important given limited equity cushion.
Negative Factors
Highly Levered Balance Sheet
Negative equity and high leverage materially constrain strategic flexibility, increasing refinancing and covenant risks. Over the medium term, this structure elevates default risk, limits capital allocation for growth projects, and raises the cost of external financing when pursuing digital expansion or events.
Declining Revenue Trend
A persistent top-line decline undermines scale economics and long-term profitability even as margins improve. Without sustained revenue stabilization or new growth levers, fixed-cost absorption will pressure margins and free cash flow, limiting ability to deleverage and invest in digital product development.
Remnant & Broadcast Headwinds
A steep remnant collapse and persistent broadcast ad declines signal structural demand shifts and inventory monetization challenges. AI-driven search traffic losses and lower political revenue suggest continuing volatility in legacy segments, pressuring total ad inventory value and requiring sustained digital offset to preserve earnings.

Townsquare Media (TSQ) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Townsquare Media Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionTownsquare Media, Inc. operates as a digital media and marketing solutions company in small and medium-sized businesses. It operates through three segments: Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions, Digital Advertising, and Broadcast Advertising. The Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions segment offers various digital marketing solutions, including hosting, search engine optimization, online directory optimization, e-commerce solutions, online reputation monitoring, social media management, appointment scheduling, payment and invoice, customer management, email marketing, and website retargeting services, as well as traditional and mobile-enabled website design, creation, and development services. The Digital Advertising segment provides digital advertising on its owned and operated digital properties, and digital programmatic advertising platforms, as well as data analytics and management platform. The Broadcast Advertising segment engages in the sale of local radio stations to local, regional, and national spot advertisers, and national network advertisers. As of December 31, 2021, this segment owned and operated 322 radio stations and approximately 330 local websites in 67 local markets. It also owns and operates approximately 200 live events, including concerts, expositions, and other experiential events; and operates local media under the WYRK.com, WJON.com, and NJ101.5.com brands, as well as national music under the XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com, and Loudwire.com brands. The company was formerly known as Regent Communications, Inc. and changed its name to Townsquare Media, Inc. in May 2010. Townsquare Media, Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyTownsquare Media generates revenue primarily through three key streams: advertising, digital marketing solutions, and live events. The company earns a substantial portion of its income from radio advertising, where local and national advertisers purchase airtime across its network of radio stations. Additionally, Townsquare Media has expanded its digital footprint, providing digital marketing services that include website development, social media management, and online advertising, which cater to local businesses seeking to enhance their online presence. The live events segment contributes further revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise associated with concerts and festivals. Strategic partnerships with advertisers and collaborations with local businesses also bolster its earnings, allowing for diversified revenue generation across its platforms.

Townsquare Media Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 10, 2025
(Q3-2025)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 16, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with several positive developments, such as growth in digital revenue and programmatic business, as well as increased profit margins in Townsquare Interactive and broadcast segments. However, these highlights were tempered by significant challenges, including declines in remnant revenue, core broadcast revenue, and search traffic, as well as lower political revenue than anticipated.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Digital Revenue Growth
Digital revenue grew by 2% year-over-year in the first 9 months of 2025, expanding to 55% of total net revenue, which is more than twice the industry average.
Programmatic Business Performance
The digital programmatic business experienced high single-digit revenue growth in the third quarter, continuing to be a primary growth driver.
Townsquare Interactive Profit Growth
Townsquare Interactive's segment profit increased by 19% year-over-year in the first 9 months of 2025 with profit margins expanding to 33%.
Broadcast Profit Margin Expansion
Broadcast profit margins increased from 25% in Q3 2024 to 28% in Q3 2025, demonstrating strong expense management.
Negative Updates
Decline in Remnant Revenue
Remnant revenue declined by 50% year-over-year in Q3 2025, decreasing from $5 million in Q3 2024 to $2.5 million in Q3 2025, impacting digital advertising revenue.
Core Broadcast Revenue Decline
Broadcast advertising net revenue, excluding political, declined by 8% year-over-year in Q3 2025, continuing a trend of decline.
Search Traffic Decline
Significant declines in search engine traffic due to AI advancements impacted online audience trends, affecting remnant revenue streams.
Reduced Political Revenue
Lower-than-forecasted political revenue in Q4 2025 contributed to downward revisions in full-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance.
Company Guidance
During Townsquare Media's Third Quarter 2025 Conference Call, the company announced that their results aligned with the previously provided guidance, with total net revenue reaching $106.8 million, within the $106.5 million to $108.5 million range, and adjusted EBITDA hitting $22 million, also within the $22 million to $23 million forecast. The digital-first strategy proved effective as digital revenue grew by 2% year-over-year, now comprising 55% of total net revenue and 55% of total segment profits. Despite a slight decline in digital advertising revenue by less than 2% year-over-year due to indirect revenue challenges, the programmatic business segment achieved high single-digit growth. Townsquare Interactive saw a 19% increase in segment profit year-over-year for the first nine months, with a profit margin rise to 33%. The broadcast local radio segment experienced an 8% decline in net revenue, excluding political, but managed to improve profit margins from 25% to 28%. The company expects continued digital advertising growth and improved political revenue in 2026, aiming to maintain its digital growth momentum while managing headwinds in traditional broadcast and remnant revenue streams.

Townsquare Media Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Mixed fundamentals: profitability and cash conversion improved (TTM net margin 4.25%; healthy operating cash flow to net income of 0.57), but revenue is declining (TTM revenue growth -1.91%) and the balance sheet is a major risk with negative equity and high leverage.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Townsquare Media's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data indicates a decline in revenue growth rate at -1.91%, and the gross profit margin has decreased to 21.13% from previous years. However, the company has managed to maintain a positive net profit margin of 4.25% in the TTM period, a significant improvement from the negative margins in earlier years. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also improved, indicating better operational efficiency. Despite these improvements, the overall revenue decline and fluctuating profitability suggest challenges in sustaining growth.
Balance Sheet
30
Negative
The balance sheet reveals significant financial leverage, with a negative stockholders' equity and a high debt-to-equity ratio of -1.87 in the TTM period. This indicates potential financial instability and risk. The negative return on equity further highlights the company's struggle to generate returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is also negative, reflecting a concerning capital structure. These factors suggest a need for improved financial management and reduction in debt levels.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a decline in free cash flow growth rate at -1.46% in the TTM period, indicating challenges in generating cash. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy at 0.57, suggesting that the company is able to convert its earnings into cash effectively. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.66 further supports this. Despite the decline in free cash flow growth, the company's ability to generate cash from operations remains a positive aspect.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue438.69M450.98M454.23M463.08M417.96M371.34M
Gross Profit116.06M124.20M125.03M138.15M129.66M88.99M
EBITDA71.78M49.74M11.79M75.32M86.37M-52.88M
Net Income18.24M-12.70M-44.96M12.34M16.74M-82.47M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets539.23M580.41M652.05M744.52M765.69M806.54M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.21M32.99M61.05M43.42M50.51M83.23M
Total Debt489.31M520.45M550.47M578.56M587.66M595.80M
Total Liabilities573.20M608.86M642.14M675.44M716.10M705.79M
Stockholders Equity-37.39M-31.86M6.41M65.52M46.26M97.26M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow26.03M31.31M52.85M29.36M48.66M16.30M
Operating Cash Flow41.52M48.75M67.83M50.19M61.08M31.49M
Investing Cash Flow-5.71M-9.93M-3.57M-37.76M-10.64M-14.04M
Financing Cash Flow-54.57M-67.38M-46.62M-19.51M-83.17M-18.89M

Townsquare Media Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price6.74
Price Trends
50DMA
5.19
Positive
100DMA
5.61
Positive
200DMA
6.12
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.39
Negative
RSI
65.36
Neutral
STOCH
58.53
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSQ, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 6.74 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 5.73, above the 50-day MA of 5.19, and above the 200-day MA of 6.12, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.39 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 65.36 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 58.53 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSQ.

Townsquare Media Risk Analysis

Townsquare Media disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Townsquare Media reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Townsquare Media Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
$1.51B15.316.26%5.70%97.88%
68
Neutral
$1.19B14.1013.07%5.41%-0.94%47.48%
66
Neutral
$754.23M74.114.55%43.12%
65
Neutral
$1.52B79.143.80%6.76%1841.46%
62
Neutral
$996.95M233.331.21%1.29%11.18%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
55
Neutral
$108.15M6.4115.02%-2.07%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSQ
Townsquare Media
6.74
-1.29
-16.06%
DLX
Deluxe
27.84
6.11
28.11%
ZD
Ziff Davis
37.81
-14.91
-28.28%
STGW
Stagwell
6.07
-0.29
-4.56%
QNST
Quinstreet
13.34
-11.43
-46.14%
EEX
Emerald Expositions Events
5.36
0.89
19.91%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 28, 2026