How to Get an iHeartRadio Transcript (3 Methods)

iHeartRadio carries over 500,000 podcasts and 2,000+ live radio stations, but none of them come with a transcript button. The app is built for listening, not reading. If you want the text from an iHeartRadio show, whether it's a talk radio segment, a national news podcast, or a long-form interview series, you'll need to pull the audio out and run it through a transcription tool.

Three methods work reliably in 2026. The first works for every iHeartRadio show without exception. The second takes 10 seconds if the podcast creator has set it up. The third skips the download step entirely for shows that also post to YouTube.

iHeartRadio doesn't offer built-in transcription. To get an iHeartRadio transcript, download the episode MP3 from the podcast's RSS feed or website, then upload it to PixScript for an accurate, timestamped transcript. Alternatively, check whether the podcast publishes transcripts through its RSS feed, or use the show's YouTube URL directly in PixScript.

Does iHeartRadio Have a Built-In Transcript Feature?

No. iHeartRadio streams audio but doesn't generate or store text versions of episodes.

iHeartRadio, owned by iHeartMedia, is the United States' largest audio company by broadcast radio listeners, with approximately 150 million registered users as of 2024. The platform hosts over 500,000 podcasts and streams audio from more than 2,000 live radio stations across 260 markets. iHeartMedia reaches approximately 9 in 10 Americans monthly through broadcast, digital, and streaming properties combined. The iHeartRadio app, launched in 2011, operates as a streaming aggregator rather than a podcast hosting platform, which means it doesn't generate transcripts. Transcription depends on whether the individual podcast creator has enabled it through their hosting provider (Megaphone, Omny Studio, Libsyn, or other platforms). For comparison, Spotify introduced AI-generated podcast transcripts in 2023 for shows distributed through Spotify's hosting tools. iHeartRadio hasn't announced a similar feature as of 2026. Under WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines, audio-only content should have a text alternative, but enforcement falls on creators, not distributors.

Most iHeartRadio podcasts are hosted on third-party platforms. Megaphone handles a large share of premium shows, and Omny Studio covers many broadcast radio programs that simulcast as podcasts. If transcription exists for a given show, it lives on those hosting platforms, not in iHeartRadio's interface.

The underlying MP3 for any iHeartRadio podcast is almost always accessible somewhere outside the app. Once you have that file, transcription takes under 2 minutes.

Method 1: Get the Episode MP3 and Upload to PixScript

This method works for every iHeartRadio show, whether it's a local radio segment, a nationally syndicated program, or an independently produced podcast.

Find the episode audio.

Most podcasts distribute through a public RSS feed that links directly to the MP3. Search the podcast name followed by "RSS feed" or "podcast feed." Paste the feed URL into your browser and it loads as an XML file listing every episode with a direct audio link. Right-click the link for the episode you want and save the file.

Alternatively, visit the podcast's own website. Most shows link to individual episode audio files and many have a "Download" button per episode. This is the most reliable route for shows with their own web presence.

For radio programs, iHeartRadio sometimes lets you download episodes through the app. Open the episode, tap the three-dot menu, and look for "Download Episode." Downloaded files from the app may be in a restricted format on some accounts, so the RSS or website route tends to be more consistent.

Upload to PixScript.

Go to pixscript.com and click "Upload File." Select your downloaded MP3. PixScript processes the audio and returns a full transcript with timestamps, usually within 90 seconds for a 30-minute episode.

Export your transcript.

Download the transcript as TXT, PDF, SRT, or VTT. On Pro and Business plans, you can also run an AI summary or use the rewrite tool to turn the transcript into a blog post, show notes, or social media copy. That last feature saves a significant amount of editing time when you're pulling content from a long interview.

The free plan handles files up to 5 minutes. Pro ($9/month) covers up to 30 minutes per file. Business ($19/month) removes the length limit entirely, which matters for full radio programs that run 2 to 3 hours.

For a broader look at how to transcribe podcast audio across different platforms, how to transcribe a podcast episode for free walks through the full process with multiple tool options.

Method 2: Check for a Podcast Transcript in Your Podcast App

Some podcast creators publish transcripts directly through their RSS feed using the Podcast Index podcast:transcript namespace. If the creator has done this, apps that support the standard show the transcript alongside the episode.

Apps that support it include Overcast, Pocket Casts, and Podverse. iHeartRadio doesn't support this namespace, even if the podcast creator has published a transcript.

To check:

1. Open the episode in Overcast, Pocket Casts, or Podverse.
2. Look for a "Transcript" tab near the episode player.
3. If the creator published one, it loads as full readable text.

This method takes about 10 seconds when it works. Most shows haven't published transcripts through their RSS feed, so don't count on it as a first option. If the tab isn't there, the creator hasn't enabled it and Method 1 is the next step.

The podcast:transcript standard is growing, though. Independent shows with dedicated audiences are more likely to have it than nationally syndicated radio programs.

Method 3: Use the Show's YouTube Channel

Many podcasts that distribute through iHeartRadio also upload video versions to YouTube. If the show has a YouTube channel, you can paste the video URL directly into PixScript and skip the MP3 download entirely.

1. Search the podcast name on YouTube.
2. Find the episode you want.
3. Copy the YouTube URL from the address bar.
4. Go to pixscript.com, paste the URL, and click "Transcribe."

PixScript pulls the audio from the video and returns the same timestamped transcript you'd get from a file upload. For shows that post consistently to YouTube, this tends to be the fastest of the three methods.

The limitation: radio programs and some talk shows don't have YouTube channels. If the show is audio-only, Method 1 is the reliable path. For shows that post both full episodes and short clips, use the full episode URL rather than a clip if you want a complete transcript.

This workflow also applies to iHeartRadio original shows that release promotional video content. Even if the full episode isn't on YouTube, a long-form trailer or highlights video can give you a partial transcript worth having.

Which Method Should You Use?

Each method fits a different situation.

Situation	Best Method
Any episode, guaranteed result	Method 1 (MP3 + PixScript upload)
Podcast publishes RSS transcripts	Method 2 (check Overcast or Pocket Casts)
Show also posts to YouTube	Method 3 (PixScript + YouTube URL)

Start with Method 2 since it takes 10 seconds. If there's no transcript, check whether the show is on YouTube (Method 3). If neither option works, Method 1 handles everything.

A note on combining methods: if you use Method 3 to get the transcript, you can then run PixScript's AI rewrite tool to turn it into structured show notes or a blog post. That combination saves a significant chunk of editing time per episode for anyone doing regular content repurposing.

For comparing transcription tool options by format support, accuracy, and price, audio to text converter runs through the main choices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iHeartRadio have a transcript feature?

No. iHeartRadio doesn't offer native podcast transcription as of 2026. The platform streams audio but doesn't generate or store text versions of episodes. For a searchable transcript, download the episode audio and run it through PixScript, or check whether the podcast creator publishes transcripts through their RSS feed.

How do I get the MP3 for an iHeartRadio podcast?

Most podcasts on iHeartRadio distribute through a public RSS feed that links directly to the episode MP3. Search for the podcast name plus "RSS feed" and open the feed in your browser. Right-click the audio link to download the file. Many show websites also have a direct download button per episode.

Can I transcribe a live iHeartRadio radio station?

PixScript works on recorded audio files and video URLs, not live streams. For live radio, you'd need to record the stream separately first, then upload the recording to PixScript. Live transcription requires dedicated real-time software, which PixScript doesn't offer.

Is PixScript free for iHeartRadio transcripts?

The free plan covers 10 transcripts per month for files up to 5 minutes. Full podcast episodes typically run longer, so the Pro plan ($9/month, or $69/year) covers files up to 30 minutes. Business ($19/month, or $149/year) removes the length limit entirely.

If you regularly pull transcripts from iHeartRadio shows, PixScript keeps everything in one place: upload the audio, get a timestamped transcript, export as SRT or VTT for captions or TXT and PDF for notes, and use the AI rewrite tool to repurpose the content into show notes or social posts. Start with the free plan at pixscript.com and run your first iHeartRadio transcript today.