iHeartMedia Unveils New Slate of Original iHeartRadio Podcasts During IAB Upfronts

iHeartMedia’s Nationally Syndicated Radio Host Bobby Bones Brings “The Nashville Podcast Network” To iHeartRadio Listeners

NEW YORK –– September 7, 2017 –– iHeartMedia announced today during the 3rd annual IAB Podcast Upfront four original iHeartRadio podcasts. The announcement underscores a year of tremendous growth from the podcast platform, which has seen a 60 percent increase in listenership from iHeartRadio’s more than 100 million registered users.

New iHeartRadio original podcasts include:

  • The Oh My Disney Podcast - Celebrating all things Disney and pop culture by Disney fans, for Disney fans. Influencer-hosts will dive deep into all the latest news from Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Freeform, and ABC to break down the latest news and get exclusive previews of upcoming films, Disney Parks attractions, television shows, and more; interview the biggest celebrities across the Disney universe; quiz fans on Disney trivia; taste test new Disney Parks foods; give fans facts and insights about significant Disney anniversaries; and dish with fans on all the latest reactions to everything in the Disney universe. The Oh My Disney podcast delivers a dose of Disney magic, with humor and heart.  
  • The Fatherly Podcast - A weekly podcast about parenting, hosted by veteran journalist and Fatherly Editor-at-Large Joshua David Stein. The program includes honest, far-reaching discussions with famous fathers and mothers, current events coverage through a family lens, and actionable advice based on cutting-edge research.
  • Scrubbing In With Becca Tilley - Hosted by beloved two-time contestant of “The Bachelor,” Becca Tilley will share her trials and tribulations as she navigates through life, encouraging listeners to laugh it all off with her. The new podcast will focus on the messiness of dating and relationships as well as her undying love for her favorite TV shows, music, sports and sleeping.
  • Summit: Chairlift - A weekly podcast that gives listeners a substantive look into the minds of today’s most innovative thinkers from the Summit community. Each episode features two inspiring individuals who are top leaders in their respective fields. Recorded as they ride a chairlift to the summit of Powder Mountain in Utah, guests speak to a variety of topics that provide insight and ingenuity to motivate creative thinkers of today.

Today, iHeartRadio’s podcast platform features a directory of more than 8,500 podcasts across 19 different categories – from business and finance to comedy and entertainment. Over the past year, iHeartMedia has partnered with leading content providers including NPR, PRX/Radiotopia, WNYC, All Things Comedy, audioBoom and Libsyn. The company has also launched several other original content and branded podcasts, including “Label Defiers,” “The Ben and Ashley I. Almost Famous Podcast,” “The Thrive Global Podcast” hosted by Arianna Huffington, “Tagline” in partnership with Advertising Age, and “Art of the Hustle” with WeWork. Beyond content, iHeartRadio is developing new ways to measure podcast listenership by partnering with ART19 and allowing publishers to receive more detailed data about listeners.

"By launching into podcasting, we're addressing a very real need for our active audience of millennial parents," said Mike Rothman, CEO, Fatherly. "Our goal, together with iHeartMedia, is to create content that not only educates, but entertains. The perception of fatherhood is in a constant state of evolution and spreading our message to a new audience of dads and moms offers an invaluable service."

“In an age where visual distractions are everywhere, the power of sound is what captivates,” said Chris Peterson, Senior Vice President of Podcasting for iHeartMedia. “As the leader in everything sound, iHeartMedia continues to produce entertaining and engaging original content for our hundreds of millions of listeners across broadcast and digital. With access to top-notch personalities, artists, leaders and brands, we are positioned to take podcast listening to a whole new set of ears.”

Also announced during the upfronts, iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated radio host Bobby Bones will bring his newly launched Nashville Podcast Network to iHeartRadio’s millions of listeners. The network will feature seven podcasts, giving listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by Bobby Bones, Grammy award-winning artist Jake Owen, tastemaker Kelly Henderson and more, The Nashville Podcast Network will feature podcasts including “BobbyCast,” “Velvet’s Edge with Kelly Henderson,” “The Frontline Generation with Marjorie K. Eastman,” “Good Company with Jake Owen,” “Whiskey Riff Raff,” “Geeking Out with Kristian Bush” and “BoBo and Mikey.”

With iHeartRadio, the company has the ability to extend its brands and franchises across multiple devices and is currently available on more than 100 unique platforms spanning in-home, wearables, gaming, mobile, auto and more that allow users to listen anywhere they are on the products they use most. To listen to these upcoming shows and discover a variety of other top podcasts, visit iHeart.com/podcast.

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About Fatherly
Fatherly is the leading digital lifestyle guide for millennial parents that honestly and thoroughly documents the reality of modern family life. The site offers thoughtful, informative and entertaining content across each parenting milestone, from expecting to having teenage children. As the fastest-growing parenting resource on the web, Fatherly will continue expanding to serve a larger audience as a new generation of fathers and mothers step forward.

About Bobby Bones
Recently voted for induction into the National Radio Hall Of Fame as the youngest inductee ever, Bobby Bones has been dubbed "the most powerful man in country music" (Forbes). His nationally-syndicated Bobby Bones Show reaches millions of listeners on 100+ stations and iHeartRadio. Bones' "hilarious" (Sounds Like Nashville) comedy band The Raging Idiots is set to go on a limited-run tour starting in October with tickets on sale now at ragingidiots.com. Bones' hilarious memoir, BARE BONES: I’M NOT LONELY IF YOU’RE READING THIS BOOK (Dey Street Books), landed at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers Lists. Bones is also continuing on his FUNNY & ALONE STAND UP COMEDY TOUR, following more than 15 sold-out shows earlier this year. The shows became an instant hit amongst audiences, with some venues selling out minutes after going on sale. For additional information, www.bobbybonescomedy.com.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month. It consists of three business groups.

With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. Its leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 860 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; its National Sales organization; and the company’s live and virtual events business. It also includes Premiere Networks, the industry’s largest Networks business, with its Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN); and BIN: Black Information Network, the first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service for the Black community. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products using data from its massive consumer base.

The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company’s fast-growing podcasting business -- iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings -- as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

The company’s Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation’s largest media representation company, and RCS, the world's leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.

Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.