Panoply podcasts could become TV shows and movies following WME deal

Panoply Media has signed with agency WME, a deal that could see the company’s podcasts adapted into movies, television shows, and live events. Panoply has several popular shows under its creation, hosting, and monetization umbrella, including Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. The Hollywood Reporter first shared this development. It’s the latest, and one of the more high-profile, arrangements between podcast talent and other media to create crossovers.

“We’re dedicated to creating compelling content for our listeners and continue to invest in a wide variety of original programming, including highly produced nonfiction series, scripted comedy and drama, and culture and lifestyle podcasts,” Panoply CEO Brendan Monaghan said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to work with WME to bring these stories to new forms of media and entertainment.”

Prior to the WME news, most podcast deals in this space were targeted, focused on just one show, such as ABC making a version of Gimlet Media’s Start Up or Amazon adapting Gimlet’s Homecoming. But podcasting is also getting new attention as a way to extend entertainment brands. For instance, Teen Wolf may be continuing as a podcast after the show leaves the airwaves, and earlier this month, early Matt Groening project Futurama saw a brief revival as a one-off podcast episode. If podcast-driven ventures continue to find success, we can expect to see more agencies like WME wanting in on the action.

Anna Washenko