iHeartMedia, Inc. and Netflix announced a new exclusive video‑podcast partnership on December 16, 2025 that will place more than 15 of the broadcaster’s most‑listened‑to podcasts—such as The Breakfast Club, My Favorite Murder, and Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast—on Netflix’s streaming service. The deal grants Netflix exclusive rights to stream new episodes and selected library episodes in video format, while iHeartMedia retains all audio‑only rights and continues to distribute the shows on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.
The partnership will launch video‑podcast episodes on Netflix in early 2026 in the United States, with additional international markets to follow. Under the agreement, iHeartMedia will not upload video versions of the licensed episodes to YouTube, ensuring that the content remains exclusive to Netflix and helping the streaming giant differentiate its offering in the crowded video‑podcast space.
Strategically, the deal positions iHeartMedia to tap into Netflix’s 200‑million‑plus subscriber base and to monetize its top podcasts in a new visual format. The partnership comes at a time when iHeartMedia’s Q3 2025 results showed consolidated revenue of $997 million—down 1.1% year‑over‑year but up 2.8% excluding political revenue—while the company posted a GAAP operating loss of $116 million, largely driven by a $209 million non‑cash impairment related to FCC licenses. The Digital Audio Group, which includes the podcasts, generated $342 million in revenue, up 14%, and $140 million in podcast revenue, up 22%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 38.1%. These figures illustrate that, despite headline losses, iHeartMedia’s core digital audio business remains profitable and growing, and the video‑podcast partnership is a logical extension of that growth strategy.
For Netflix, the agreement is part of a broader content diversification strategy aimed at capturing “casual viewing” time and competing with platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Video podcasts are a cost‑effective way to produce engaging content, and the exclusivity of iHeartMedia’s top shows gives Netflix a unique library that can attract new subscribers and deepen engagement among existing members. The partnership also aligns with Netflix’s focus on creator‑driven content and strengthens its position in the rapidly expanding video‑podcast market.
Management commentary underscores the strategic fit. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman said, “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.” Netflix’s VP of content licensing and programming strategy, Lauren Smith, 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 partnership is expected to broaden audience reach, create new monetization opportunities, and strengthen iHeartMedia’s competitive position against other audio and streaming players, while providing Netflix with fresh, exclusive content that can help sustain subscriber growth in a highly competitive streaming landscape.
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