From MTV To iHeartRadio: Bob Pittman Joins Rick Rubin On 'Tetragrammaton'

In a new episode of "Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin," legendary media executive Bob Pittman sits down for an expansive conversation that traces his remarkable journey from small-town radio DJ to one of the most influential figures in modern media.

Pittman, the Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table. He’s widely known as the co-founder of MTV—an idea that changed the way music was consumed and launched a global cultural movement. As the man behind MTV’s early success, Pittman helped introduce game-changing formats like Yo! MTV Raps, The Real World, and the MTV Video Music Awards, shaping the visual identity of pop music in the 1980s and beyond.

But Pittman’s impact extends far beyond cable television. Over the decades, he has played pivotal roles at brands like AOL, Six Flags, and Time Warner, before taking the reins at iHeartMedia. Under his leadership, iHeart has become a multiplatform audio powerhouse—reaching hundreds of millions of listeners across broadcast, digital radio, podcasts, and live events.

In the episode, Rubin and Pittman explore the philosophy behind his success: a unique blend of creative intuition and analytical thinking. Pittman explains how understanding both the “math” and the “magic” of marketing—data and storytelling—has helped him build and transform iconic brands. It’s a concept he champions in his own podcast, "Math & Magic," which delves into the art and science of leadership in media and business.

Their conversation touches on the evolution of content consumption, the power of audio, and the importance of staying agile in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Pittman reflects on lessons learned from building media empires, shares predictions for the future of entertainment, and opens up about the creative risks that paid off—and those that didn’t.

Whether you’re a fan of pop culture, a student of business strategy, or just love a great origin story, this episode delivers. Listen to the full conversation on "Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin" on iHeartRadio.