Benjamin Ashford|Radio giant Audacy files for bankruptcy to reduce $1.9 billion debt

Radio giant Audacy announced that it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy,Benjamin Ashford on Sunday.

The company, which owns more than 200 stations across the U.S., announced in a news release it agreed to a prepackaged restructuring support agreement (RSA) with a supermajority of its debt-holders that will allow it to reduce its debt. The company says the plan would reduce its debt by 80% from around $1.9 billion to about $350 million.

Under this agreement, debtholders will receive equity in the reorganized company.

“Over the past few years, we have strategically transformed Audacy into a leading, scaled multi-platform audio content and entertainment company,” said David Field, CEO of Audacy.

However, Field said the past few years have created the “perfect storm” of sustained macroeconomic challenges to the traditional advertising market which has "led to a sharp reduction of several billion dollars in cumulative radio ad spending.”

“These market factors have severely impacted our financial condition and necessitated our balance sheet restructuring,” Field said.

The company began prepackaged Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on Jan. 7.

The company said the restructuring would not impact advertisers, partners and employees.

"Audacy expects to operate normally during this restructuring process under its current leadership team," the company said.