Netflix doubles down on video podcasts with iHeartMedia deal

Netflix and audio powerhouse iHeartMedia person entered into a caller concern to bring 14 video podcasts exclusively to Netflix successful aboriginal 2026, the companies announced Tuesday. This represents Netflix’s 2nd large measurement into the podcast space, pursuing its caller collaboration with Spotify.

The caller video podcast episodes volition premiere connected Netflix successful the U.S. successful aboriginal 2026, with plans to grow to further markets. 

As portion of the agreement, Netflix volition get a divers scope of shows spanning comedy, crime, history, sports, and more, which diagnostic notable names specified arsenic “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler, “The Breakfast Club” with Charlamagne, and “My Favorite Murder” with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. 

The woody covers each caller episodes from the podcast lineup, arsenic good arsenic prime room episodes from each show. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia volition clasp the audio-only rights and distribution, ensuring podcasts stay disposable connected iHeartRadio and different large podcast platforms.

Netflix hopes that the millions of radical who similar the video mentation of these shows volition flock to the streaming level implicit competitors similar YouTube. However, since these podcasters are nary longer getting video versions of their shows connected YouTube, they could suffer retired connected advertisement gross and reach, perchance alienating fans who are accustomed to watching there. 

The woody is Netflix’s 2nd foray into video podcasts, pursuing an October announcement of a akin woody with Spotify for shows including “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” “The Ringer,” and “The Zach Lowe Show.”

Netflix’s propulsion into video podcasts is portion of its ngo to broaden its offerings beyond TV shows and movies. For instance, Netflix struck a woody with YouTube property Ms. Rachel to entreaty to a wider assemblage and pat into the increasing creator economy. And Netflix precocious launched party games connected TV screens to summation engagement. 

Most notably, the streamer is looking to dive headfirst into the theatre concern arsenic it seeks to acquire Warner Bros. 

Here are the shows included successful the caller partnership:

• The Breakfast Club
• Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast
• My Favorite Murder
• Dear Chelsea
• Joe and Jada
• This Is Important
• The Psychology of Your 20s
• Behind the Bastards 
• Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know
• Stuff You Missed successful History Class
• Stuff to Blow Your Mind
• New Rory & MAL
• 3 and Out with John Middlekauff
• Buried Bones