iHeartMedia Partners with Exactly Right Media to Expand Podcast Offerings

The announcement, made on February 5, 2025, coincides with the ninth anniversary of "My Favorite Murder," a podcast that has achieved staggering success with approximately two billion lifetime downloads. Co-hosted by Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, the show has not only captivated audiences but also garnered numerous accolades, including the iHeartPodcast Awards’ Audio Pioneer Icon Award and a Silver Spotify Creator Milestone Award.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the robust storytelling approach of Exactly Right Media and its devoted listener base. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Exactly Right Media, especially as we celebrate the incredible success of ‘My Favorite Murder’ on its 9th anniversary,” Pearson stated, emphasizing the potential for growth and innovation in podcasting through this alliance.

Under the terms of the partnership, iHeartMedia will take on the exclusive sales, marketing, and distribution responsibilities for ERM’s complete portfolio of shows, which includes not only "My Favorite Murder" but also popular titles such as "Buried Bones," "Ghosted! by Roz Hernandez," and "This Podcast Will Kill You." The collaboration aims to leverage iHeartMedia's vast reach and resources to amplify the audience for these beloved shows.

Moreover, the agreement encompasses the co-production of new podcasts, which will be developed using Exactly Right Media’s state-of-the-art audio and video studio that opened in May 2024. This expansion is poised to offer millions of podcast listeners worldwide an even broader array of engaging content.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with iHeartMedia to amplify our shows and reach even more listeners,” remarked Kilgariff and Hardstark. The co-founders of ERM indicated that the timing of the partnership aligns perfectly with the celebration of their flagship show’s anniversary, expressing eagerness to collaborate in creating more compelling audio narratives.

iHeartMedia’s leadership position in the audio media landscape is underscored by its impressive metrics: 90% of Americans listen to iHeart broadcast radio each month, and the company reaches a larger audience than any other media outlet in the U.S. In the realm of podcasting, iHeartMedia stands out as the largest publisher, boasting more downloads than the next two competitors combined.

This strategic partnership with Exactly Right Media not only solidifies iHeartMedia's standing as a formidable player in the podcast space but also signals a broader trend of collaboration within the industry as companies seek to diversify and enrich their content offerings.

As the podcasting industry continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between iHeartMedia and Exactly Right Media are integral to driving growth and engaging audiences. The expansion of iHeart’s portfolio through ERM’s innovative shows is set to captivate listeners further, ensuring that both companies remain at the forefront of the audio revolution. For more information about the full slate of shows available through this partnership, interested listeners can visit exactlyrightmedia.com.

In a time when the demand for quality audio content is at an all-time high, the collaboration between these two media powerhouses promises to deliver fresh, thought-provoking content that resonates with audiences around the globe.