Clear Channel Outdoor to Modernize Transit Advertising Across Austin

New partnership with CapMetro will connect brands with millions of residents, commuters and visitors

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31am

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Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) has been awarded a multi-year contract from CapMetro, the main public transportation authority serving Austin and Central Texas, to modernize and expand the transit agency's advertising program over the next three years. Under this exclusive media contract, CCO will manage and grow ad sales across 400+ buses operating on 71 routes and 10 rail stations that together move more than two million monthly riders.

Why it matters

This partnership opens a major new avenue for brands to engage on-the-go consumers and daily commuters across Austin's busiest corridors and surrounding suburbs as the city continues to experience rapid economic growth driven by technology, tourism and creative industries.

The details

CCO will transform CapMetro's advertising program into a modern, dynamic media network to achieve a variety of business objectives for local and national advertisers. Key components of Clear Channel's modernization strategy include enhanced creative capabilities to support high-impact campaigns and a robust transition and installation plan to ensure a seamless launch in 2026.

  • The partnership will launch in 2026.
  • The 40th anniversary of SXSW in March 2026 will provide an ideal moment for marketers to capture heightened activity across the city.

The players

Clear Channel Outdoor

An American outdoor advertising company and a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, Inc.

CapMetro

The main public transportation authority serving Austin and Central Texas.

Michelle Costa

Regional President of Clear Channel Outdoor.

Ruben Batista

President of Clear Channel Outdoor's San Antonio and Austin operations.

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What they’re saying

“Our partnership with CapMetro will help brands connect in even more meaningful ways with Austin's vibrant and growing community.”

— Michelle Costa, Regional President, Clear Channel Outdoor (billboardinsider.com)

“By reimagining the city's transit media network with CapMetro, we'll enhance how advertisers engage with Austin's influential, on-the-go consumers, helping brands show up in the moments that matter across a city that continues to draw increasing attention from businesses and visitors.”

— Ruben Batista, President, Clear Channel Outdoor – San Antonio and Austin (billboardinsider.com)

What’s next

The partnership between Clear Channel Outdoor and CapMetro is expected to launch in 2026, providing a new platform for brands to connect with consumers across Austin's growing transit network.

The takeaway

This partnership highlights the continued importance of out-of-home advertising in reaching consumers, especially as brands navigate the challenges of media fragmentation. By modernizing CapMetro's transit advertising program, Clear Channel Outdoor is positioning itself to help brands make meaningful connections with Austin's vibrant and growing community.