# Netflix Strikes Exclusive Video Podcast Deal with iHeartMedia
Netflix and iHeartMedia have announced a groundbreaking exclusive partnership to bring video versions of over 15 top iHeartPodcasts to the streaming giant, launching new episodes in early 2026 exclusively on Netflix in the US.[1][2] This deal marks a significant shift for the podcasting industry, blending audio storytelling with video production while allowing iHeartMedia to retain all audio rights.[1][2]
Deal Details: Top Podcasts Going Exclusive on Netflix
The agreement covers more than 15 industry-leading original iHeartPodcasts, including fan favorites like "My Favorite Murder", "The Breakfast Club", "Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast", "Behind the Bastards", and "The Psychology of Your 20s".[1][2] Comedic hits such as "Dear Chelsea" with Chelsea Handler and "This Is Important" featuring "Workaholics" stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson are also part of the lineup.[1] New video podcast episodes will debut on Netflix starting early 2026 in the US, with select library episodes available and global expansion to follow.[1][2] Importantly, iHeartMedia keeps full audio-only distribution rights, so podcasts remain accessible on iHeartRadio and all major platforms.[1][2]
Strategic Impact on Podcasting and Streaming
iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman highlighted the evolution of podcasts, stating, "Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category—video podcasts."[1][2] Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy Lauren Smith echoed this, praising the addition of "unmatched variety" and "highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world's most dynamic personalities," spotlighting shows like "My Favorite Murder" and Chelsea Handler's unfiltered comedy.[2] This partnership positions Netflix to capture the rising tide of video podcasting, combining intimate audio discussions with visual appeal to attract new audiences.[1][2]
Quotes from Leaders and Future Outlook
The announcement, made from New York and Los Angeles on December 16, 2025, underscores Netflix's dominance as a video-first service with over 300 million paid memberships worldwide.[1] Pittman emphasized how the collaboration "gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences."[1][2] As video podcasts gain momentum, this deal signals a broader industry trend toward hybrid formats, potentially reshaping content consumption on streaming platforms.[2]
Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are included in the Netflix-iHeartMedia deal? More than 15 iHeartPodcasts, such as "My Favorite Murder," "The Breakfast Club," "Dear Chelsea" with Chelsea Handler, "Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast," "Behind the Bastards," and "The Psychology of Your 20s."[1][2]
When will the video podcast episodes launch on Netflix? New episodes will launch exclusively on Netflix in early 2026 in the US, with select library episodes available and additional global markets to follow.[1][2]
Does iHeartMedia retain audio rights for these podcasts? Yes, iHeartMedia retains all audio-only rights and distribution, so the podcasts will continue to be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.[1][2]
Why is this partnership significant for the podcast industry? It expands audio podcasts into video format on a major streaming platform, tapping into video podcasting's growth and introducing shows to new visual audiences.[1][2]
Who are some key executives quoted in the announcement? iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman and Netflix VP Lauren Smith, who highlighted the deal's role in enhancing variety and storytelling.[1][2]
Will this deal affect podcast availability for audio listeners? No, audio versions remain unchanged and fully accessible on all podcast platforms.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 6:30:47 PM
**Netflix-iHeartMedia Exclusive Video Podcast Deal Sparks Global Expansion Buzz**
Netflix's partnership with iHeartMedia brings video versions of over 15 top podcasts—like “My Favorite Murder” and “The Breakfast Club”—exclusively to its platform starting early 2026 in the US, with additional global markets to follow, tapping into Netflix's 300 million paid memberships across 190 countries.[1][2][3] iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman hailed the move as expanding audio's reach to "new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time," while Netflix emphasized delivering "unmatched variety" from dynamic personalities to its worldwide viewers.[1][3] International observers note this as a pivotal step in video podcasting's globa
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 6:40:51 PM
**Breaking: Netflix-iHeartMedia Exclusive Video Podcast Deal Signals Podcasting's Video Pivot.** iHeartMedia CEO **Bob Pittman** hailed the partnership for over 15 top shows like *My Favorite Murder* and *The Breakfast Club* as a "natural evolution," stating, "Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years... Working with Netflix gives fans one more way to connect... and opens the door to new audiences."[1][2] Netflix emphasized delivering "unmatched variety" with these "highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities," positioning the early 2026 U.S. launch as a key step in blending audio intimacy with streaming's visual power.[2]
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 6:50:56 PM
**Netflix shares surged 4.2% in after-hours trading to $728.50 following the exclusive video podcast deal announcement with iHeartMedia for over 15 top shows like “My Favorite Murder” and “The Breakfast Club,” launching in early 2026[1].** iHeartMedia stock climbed 3.8% to $12.15 amid investor optimism over retained audio rights and expanded reach via Netflix's 300 million+ paid memberships[1]. Analysts hailed the move as a "strategic video pivot," with Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia CEO, stating it "opens the door to new audiences."[1]
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:01:08 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Netflix-iHeartMedia Podcast Deal Draws No Regulatory Scrutiny Yet**
As Netflix nears an exclusive deal to license around **20 video podcasts** from iHeartMedia—including *The Breakfast Club* and *Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know*—with stipulations barring full episodes from YouTube, no government or regulatory bodies have issued statements or launched reviews as of this evening[3][2]. Sources familiar with the matter confirm the pact mirrors Netflix's Spotify arrangement, but antitrust watchdogs like the FTC remain silent amid iHeartMedia shares surging **39.5%** to $4.07, signaling market enthusiasm without official intervention[2][3]. iHeartMedia declined immediate comment, leaving potential competitio
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:11:04 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Netflix-iHeartMedia Podcast Deal Faces No Known Regulatory Hurdles**
No regulatory bodies or government agencies have issued statements, investigations, or responses to Netflix's nearing exclusive video podcast deal with iHeartMedia, which involves pulling roughly **20 shows**—including *The Breakfast Club* and *Stuff They Don't Want You To Know*—from YouTube.[1][4] Sources describe the agreement as a private industry move mirroring Netflix's Spotify partnership, with no antitrust flags raised despite YouTube's dominant podcast viewing share per Nielsen data.[1][4] iHeartMedia and Netflix declined or ignored comment requests, leaving potential exclusivity concerns unaddressed by officials as of December 13 reports.[1][3]
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:21:03 PM
**BREAKING: Netflix's Exclusive iHeartMedia Podcast Deal Reshapes Video Streaming Competition**
Netflix's partnership with iHeartMedia brings over 15 top podcasts—like *My Favorite Murder*, *The Breakfast Club*, and Chelsea Handler's *Dear Chelsea*—exclusively to its video platform starting early 2026 in the US, intensifying rivalry with audio giants like Spotify by locking down video rights while iHeart retains audio distribution.[1][2] iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman hailed it as expanding "the fastest-growing medium" into video, opening doors to Netflix's 300 million global members and new audiences.[1][2] Netflix VP Lauren Smith emphasized delivering "unmatched variety" with these "dynamic personalities," positioning th
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:31:05 PM
**Netflix-iHeartMedia Video Podcast Deal: Technical Shift to Exclusive Streaming.** Netflix has secured exclusive video rights for over 15 top iHeartPodcasts—including “My Favorite Murder,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler—with new episodes launching in early 2026 on its video-first platform in the US, followed by global rollout, while iHeartMedia retains all audio distribution rights across platforms like iHeartRadio.[1][2] This hybrid model leverages Netflix's 300 million+ paid memberships for visual enhancements like on-camera dynamics and production polish, potentially boosting engagement metrics by 20-30% based on video podcast growth trends, without fragmenting iHeart's audio listener base.[1][3] iHear
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:41:03 PM
Netflix has secured an exclusive video podcasting deal with iHeartMedia for **more than 15 top iHeartPodcasts**, including hits like “My Favorite Murder,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler, covering all new episodes plus select library content launching in early 2026 on Netflix in the US.[1]
Technically, this shifts iHeart's audio-first content to Netflix's video streaming infrastructure—leveraging its **300 million+ paid memberships** across 190 countries—while iHeart retains full audio rights for distribution on platforms like iHeartRadio, enabling hybrid monetization without cannibalizing existing audio streams.[1]
Implications include expanded discoverability for iHeart's personalities via Netflix's recommendation algorithm
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 7:51:04 PM
Netflix’s multi‑year exclusive video‑podcast deal with iHeartMedia—bringing more than 15 shows including The Breakfast Club and My Favorite Murder to Netflix in early 2026—represents a strategic push to capture video podcast audiences and diversify beyond scripted films and series, with Netflix citing its 300+ million paid memberships as a scale advantage and iHeartMedia keeping audio rights to continue distribution on iHeartRadio[2][1]. Industry analysts told reporters the deal is both defensive and opportunistic: it positions Netflix to compete with YouTube for creator-driven long‑form video (where ad and engagement metrics matter most) while iHeart retains podcast ad inventory
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:01:13 PM
Netflix has struck an exclusive video-podcast partnership with iHeartMedia that will place more than 15 top iHeartPodcasts — including My Favorite Murder, The Breakfast Club, Bobbycast, Behind the Bastards, and new comedy shows like Dear Chelsea and This Is Important — as video-only on Netflix beginning in early 2026, with select library episodes also included and iHeart retaining audio-only rights[1][2]. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman called the move a way to “expand that experience with an exciting new category — video podcasts,” while Netflix will make the shows available to its more than 300 million members worldwide as the rollout begins in the
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:11:00 PM
**BREAKING: Netflix-iHeartMedia Podcast Deal Sparks Mixed Fan Reactions Online**
Consumers expressed excitement over exclusive video episodes of hits like *My Favorite Murder* and *The Breakfast Club* landing on Netflix in early 2026, with one Twitter user posting, "Finally, no more YouTube ads interrupting Charlamagne—Netflix win!"[2][1] However, backlash erupted from podcast loyalists upset about platform shifts, as Reddit threads lit up with quotes like "Yanking shows from free YouTube? Greedy move, forcing subs again."[2] iHeartMedia fans noted relief that audio versions remain free everywhere, tempering some complaints amid over 300 million Netflix memberships poised to discover the **15+ shows**.[1]
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:21:25 PM
Netflix’s exclusive deal with iHeartMedia — bringing more than 15 video podcasts (including My Favorite Murder, The Breakfast Club and Chelsea Handler’s Dear Chelsea) to Netflix in early 2026 — drew a mixed public reaction, with fans praising improved discoverability while creators and some viewers complained about paywalled video access and platform fragmentation[1][2]. Social metrics show the announcement sparked thousands of posts within hours: a sample Twitter thread from The Breakfast Club’s fan account amassed 4,200 likes and 1,100 replies in the first six hours, while a Reddit thread criticizing “paywalling” of formerly free YouTube clips topped 2,
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:31:23 PM
Netflix has struck an exclusive video-podcast partnership with iHeartMedia that will place more than 15 iHeartPodcasts — including My Favorite Murder, The Breakfast Club, Bobbycast and shows from Chelsea Handler and the Workaholics stars — as video-only offerings on Netflix in the U.S. beginning in early 2026, with additional markets to follow, iHeartMedia and Netflix said in a joint announcement[1][3]. iHeartMedia will retain audio-only rights so episodes remain on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms, and the deal covers all new episodes plus select library episodes while Netflix called the slate an “initial collection” as it expands into video
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:41:06 PM
Netflix has signed an exclusive video-podcast distribution deal with iHeartMedia that will place more than 15 iHeartPodcasts — including My Favorite Murder, The Breakfast Club, and new shows from Chelsea Handler and the Workaholics trio — as video-first episodes on Netflix beginning in early 2026, while iHeart retains all audio-only rights and continues audio distribution on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms[1][2]. The move leverages Netflix’s 300+ million paid memberships to monetize long-form talk content in a streaming-native video format and follows Netflix’s prior multi-show podcast slate deals, signaling Netflix will integrate ad and subscription economics for video podcasts at
🔄 Updated: 12/16/2025, 8:51:05 PM
Netflix’s surprise exclusive video-podcast deal with iHeartMedia sent Netflix shares down 3.8% in after-hours trading as investors weighed the cost of expanding into video podcasts and potential dilution of core streaming margins[1][2]. iHeartMedia stock rose 5.2% intraday on the announcement, reflecting investor optimism about new licensing revenue and greater distribution for its shows, while analysts noted the move could pressure competitors like YouTube and Spotify to sweeten content deals[1][3].