Disney Strikes Licensing Deal with iHeartMedia for Exclusive Podcasts on Disney+ and Hulu
Disney has struck a licensing agreement with iHeartMedia for six podcasts that will be available on Disney+ and/or Hulu. The first podcast to be featured is the Jonas brothers' "Hey Jonas!" The deal also includes video versions of iHeartPodcasts' "Pod Meets World," "Desperately Devoted," "Fake Doctors, Real Friends With Zach and Donald," "StraightioLab," and "Thanks Dad With Ego Nwodim." These shows will have weekly episode releases on the Disney streaming platforms in the near future.
The Jonas brothers' podcast, "Hey Jonas!," promises to show a different side of Kevin, Joe, and Nick in a playful and intimate manner. The first episode will focus on "Camp Rock 3," coinciding with the release of the latest installment of the music franchise on Disney+. The podcast will also feature episodes recorded live at Disney's D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
Other podcasts in the deal include "Desperately Devoted," which will have video content on Hulu starting on Nov. 2, encouraging fans to revisit "Desperate Housewives." Fans of "Scrubs" can enjoy "Fake Doctors, Real Friends With Zach and Donald" on Hulu, where Zach Braff and Donald Faison will revisit each episode of the series.
Disney's head of direct-to-consumer content planning and partnerships, Lauren Tempest, expressed excitement about the new video podcasts, stating that they bring fans closer to their favorite worlds and creators. iHeartMedia's chairman and CEO, Bob Pittman, praised Disney+ and Hulu as ideal partners to expand the reach of these beloved iHeartPodcasts.
In addition to the iHeartMedia podcasts, Disney+ and Hulu offer a variety of licensed and companion podcasts for popular series like "New Girl," "Prison Break," and "This Is Us." The partnership between Disney and iHeartMedia aims to enhance the streaming experience for fans of these shows.