Netflix is expanding its partnership strategy as it faces growing competition in the streaming market. The company announced a new collaboration with iHeartMedia that will bring video versions of popular podcasts to the Netflix platform. The move comes soon after reports that Netflix was exploring a potential deal to acquire Warner Bros., signaling its growing interest in broadening its content lineup.
Podcasts have long been an audio-based medium, but many shows have grown by releasing video versions on YouTube. That trend has allowed YouTube to profit from podcast-related viewership, and Netflix now appears interested in capturing similar audiences. The streaming service previously made a similar move in October, teaming up with Spotify to provide video episodes of Spotify Studios and The Ringer’s top series.
The Hollywood Reporter first revealed the partnership and confirmed that the following iHeartMedia programs will begin releasing new video episodes on Netflix, along with selections from their existing archives: The Breakfast Club, Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast, My Favorite Murder, Dear Chelsea, Joe and Jada, This Is Important, The Psychology of Your 20s, Behind the Bastards, Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, Stuff To Blow Your Mind, New Rory & MAL, 3 and Out with John Middlekauff, and Buried Bones.
The partnership builds on Netflix’s earlier agreement with Spotify, which includes shows like The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The McShay Show, The Rewatchables, and Conspiracy Theories.
Netflix has grown well beyond its origins as a movie and DVD-by-mail service. As viewing habits have changed, the company has moved into new areas. In recent years, it began releasing original films in limited theatrical runs before putting them on the platform. It also entered live entertainment with the acquisition of WWE’s Monday Night Raw and has tested several interactive experiences, including the Black Mirror film Bandersnatch, which allowed audiences to choose story directions.
Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia, said the deal marks another step in the evolution of podcasting. “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. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix — an important leader in entertainment — gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time.”
Lauren Smith, Netflix vice president of content licensing and programming strategy, added, “With this partnership we are incredibly excited to offer our members such unmatched variety, and to deliver highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities.”
The new video podcast series are expected to launch on Netflix in early 2026.
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English (US) · 