iHeartMedia announced a podcast production deal with OZY Media. Under their multi-year agreement, the companies will co-produce and promote a slate of shows for the iHeartRadio Original Podcasts network. The deal will yield three podcasts to be released during 2020.
The first show is a travel and culture show called Around the World, which will be based on a year-long editorial project from OZY. The other podcasts will be a spinoff of OZY’s The Thread series and a scripted show, but no other details were revealed at this stage.
Two of OZY Media’s existing podcasts will also be added to the iHeartPodcast Network. The Thread and OZY Confidential news and culture shows are switching to iHeart’s platform.
“OZY’s global suite of diverse storytellers and story-finders focuses on what’s new and what’s next. These podcasts reflect the desire of younger audiences to broaden their minds and think bigger,” OZY Media Co-founder and CEO Carlos Watson said. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the massively talented team at iHeartMedia to co-produce powerful and diverse podcasts for listeners.”
“The OZY team has a remarkable way of reporting on stories that really make people think and often change the way we see important issues,” said Will Pearson, COO for the iHeartPodcast Network. “They have an impressive ability to find fascinating stories before anyone else is reporting on them and we’re thrilled to be partnering with them to bring these voices to iHeart and into the world of podcasting.”