iHeartMedia has announced it is launching four new podcasts exclusively on the iHeartRadio app.
It will also bring Bobby Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network to the platform. Bones’ network includes an exclusive show hosted by Bones and six other shows including one hosted by country star Jake Owen.
iHeartMedia announced today during the 3rd annual IAB Podcast Upfront four original iHeartRadio podcasts. The announcement underscores a year of tremendous growth from the podcast platform, which has seen a 60 percent increase in listenership from iHeartRadio’s more than 100 million registered users.
New iHeartRadio original podcasts include:
- The Oh My Disney Podcast – Celebrating all things Disney and pop culture by Disney fans, for Disney fans. Influencer-hosts will dive deep into all the latest news from Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Freeform, and ABC to break down the latest news and get exclusive previews of upcoming films, Disney Parks attractions, television shows, and more; interview the biggest celebrities across the Disney universe; quiz fans on Disney trivia; taste test new Disney Parks foods; give fans facts and insights about significant Disney anniversaries; and dish with fans on all the latest reactions to everything in the Disney universe. The Oh My Disney podcast delivers a dose of Disney magic, with humor and heart.
- The Fatherly Podcast – A weekly ?podcast? about parenting, hosted by veteran journalist and Fatherly Editor-at-Large Joshua David Stein. The program includes honest, far-reaching discussions with famous fathers and mothers, current events coverage through a family lens, and actionable advice based on cutting-edge research.
- Scrubbing In With Becca Tilley – Hosted by beloved two-time contestant of “The Bachelor,” Becca Tilley will share her trials and tribulations as she navigates through life, encouraging listeners to laugh it all off with her. The new podcast will focus on the messiness of dating and relationships as well as her undying love for her favorite TV shows, music, sports and sleeping.
- Summit: Chairlift – A weekly podcast that gives listeners a substantive look into the minds of today’s most innovative thinkers from the Summit community. Each episode features two inspiring individuals who are top leaders in their respective fields. Recorded as they ride a chairlift to the summit of Powder Mountain in Utah, guests speak to a variety of topics that provide insight and ingenuity to motivate creative thinkers of today.
Today, iHeartRadio’s podcast platform features a directory of more than 8,500 podcasts across 19 different categories – from business and finance to comedy and entertainment. Over the past year, iHeartMedia has partnered with leading content providers including NPR, PRX/Radiotopia, WNYC, All Things Comedy, audioBoom and Libsyn. The company has also launched several other original content and branded podcasts, including “Label Defiers,” “The Ben and Ashley I. Almost Famous Podcast,” “The Thrive Global Podcast” hosted by Arianna Huffington, “Tagline” in partnership with Advertising Age, and “Art of the Hustle” with WeWork. Beyond content, iHeartRadio is developing new ways to measure podcast listenership by partnering with ART19 and allowing publishers to receive more detailed data about listeners.
?”By launching into podcasting, we’re addressing a very real need for our active audience of millennial parents,” said Mike Rothman, CEO, Fatherly. “Our goal, together with iHeartMedia, is to create content that not only educates, but entertains. The perception of fatherhood is in a constant state of evolution and spreading our message to a new audience of dads and moms offers an invaluable service.”
“In an age where visual distractions are everywhere, the power of sound is what captivates,” said Chris Peterson, Senior Vice President of Podcasting for iHeartMedia. “As the leader in everything sound, iHeartMedia continues to produce entertaining and engaging original content for our hundreds of millions of listeners across broadcast and digital. With access to top-notch personalities, artists, leaders and brands, we are positioned to take podcast listening to a whole new set of ears.”
Also announced during the upfronts, iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated radio host Bobby Bones will bring his newly launched Nashville Podcast Network to iHeartRadio’s millions of listeners. The network will feature seven podcasts, giving listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by Bobby Bones, Grammy award-winning artist Jake Owen, tastemaker Kelly Henderson and more, The Nashville Podcast Network will feature podcasts including “BobbyCast,” “Velvet’s Edge with Kelly Henderson,” “The Frontline Generation with Marjorie K. Eastman,” “Good Company with Jake Owen,” “Whiskey Riff Raff,” “Geeking Out with Kristian Bush” and “BoBo and Mikey.”
With iHeartRadio, the company has the ability to extend its brands and franchises across multiple devices and is currently available on more than 100 unique platforms spanning in-home, wearables, gaming, mobile, auto and more that allow users to listen anywhere they are on the products they use most. To listen to these upcoming shows and discover a variety of other top podcasts, visit iHeart.com/podcast.
