iHeartMedia has signed a multi-year exclusive agreement to co-produce eight original podcasts with media brand Sports Illustrated and the newly-formed joint venture Sports Illustrated Studios.
The iHeartPodcast Network will distribute all eight original titles as well as distribute Sports Illustrated’s existing podcasts across iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.
Additionally, mutual marketing and promotion commitments will apply to all joint projects.
Two of the eight original podcasts are scheduled to launch by the first quarter of next year.
“We are thrilled to partner with Sports Illustrated to introduce a brand-new slate of sports podcasts - limited series and ongoing shows alike, distributed to listeners everywhere,” says Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group.
“It’s an iconic brand that sports fans instantly trust, knowing that they will get the most credible and in-depth industry coverage, and we look forward to expanding that footprint into the audio space through the iHeartPodcast Network, where we uniquely have the reach and scale to bring Sports Illustrated the audience and monetization they deserve.”
The Sports Illustrated label will include editorial-focused content and analysis from the media franchise while the Sports Illustrated Studios label will provide scripted and limited series content.
“Storytelling is at the core of what SI stands for, and the opportunity to partner with iHeartMedia to create and distribute dynamic stories and shows featuring our incredible voices further expands our footprint,” says Ross Levinsohn, CEO of Sports Illustrated & Maven.
Developed by SI Studios, Lateral Damage will publish early next year, telling the story of University of California, Berkeley college football player Mariet Ford who was an instrumental part of “The Play,” one of the most iconic plays in sports history. Ford was later convicted of murdering his young son and pregnant wife. Maintaining his innocence for almost 25 years, the podcast will explore the indelible effect the murder has had on the core group of people in Ford’s sphere.
“While traditionally sports are very visually focused, this venture allows us to introduce audiences to the most memorable events in sports history in unexpected ways, which is precisely the foundation of SI Studios,” says David Hutkin, COO of 101 Studios, who in partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), owner of the Sports Illustrated brand, formed Sports Illustrated Studios in 2020.
“With this new partnership, Sports Illustrated, the most trusted brand in sports, and iHeartMedia, the industry’s leading podcast publisher and distributor, we have the unique opportunity to tell these historic, remarkable stories to audiences globally.”
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.