iHeartMedia and Warner Music Group, via WMG’s new podcast network, Interval Presents, have announced a multi-year deal.
Through the partnership, the two companies will co-produce a slate of shows that range from ongoing weekly podcasts to limited-run series, beginning this fall.
As part of the collaboration, Interval Presents will distribute its podcasts through the iHeartPodcast Network to all podcast consumption platforms.
Warner Music Group launched Interval Presents in April 2022 to create multi-format, culture-forward audio content at the intersection of music, pop culture, and social impact. Interval Presents’ first slate of podcasts including Rap Radar and Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams launched last month.
For other upcoming shows, listeners can expect content from award-winning artists such as Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, and later this year, a new show entitled The Last Resort, hosted by Xiuhtezcatl, an indigenous artist and activist.
“Joining forces with an iconic music company like Warner Music Group, known for their dedication to advancing the voices and careers of artists, is a seamless fit for iHeartMedia”, said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “Our team is thrilled to be co-producing a slate of shows to elevate inspiring, diverse voices and important conversations in this vein – and can’t wait to get started.”
Interval Presents will utilize iHeartMedia’s Omny/Triton platform to provide hosting, distribution, programmatic ad sales, as well as audience and data insights to power the Interval Presents Podcast Network.
“Interval Presents provides listeners with fresh, culture-forward content that resonates with communities everywhere,” said Allan Coye, General Manager of Interval Presents and SVP of Digital Strategy & Business Development at Warner Music Group. “iHeartMedia is a leader and premier partner in the audio space, with numerous hit shows and strong sales and distribution capabilities.
This collaboration allows us to expand the reach of our existing shows and accelerate our ability to launch new podcasts that feature stories and individuals that need amplification.”
Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to upcoming Interval Presents podcasts on their favourite devices.
As part of its moves to become firmly established in emerging technology and trends, namely the Metaverse, last month August, iHeart Media launched what it calls ‘iHeartLand’ inside Epic Games‘ hit video game Fortnite.
The virtual space is described by iHeart as “a state-of-the-art, always-on entertainment space where music and gaming collide”.
Meanwhile, following the planned exit of Warner Music Group’s current CEO, Steve Cooper, in 2023, MBW recently put together a list of 53 candidates who could be in with a chance of taking over the reins at WMG come 2023.Music Business Worldwide