Disney+ and Hulu are expanding their video podcast libraries through a new licensing agreement with iHeartMedia that will bring six iHeartPodcasts titles to the streaming platforms, beginning this month.
The rollout starts August 14 with “Hey Jonas!,” the official Jonas Brothers podcast hosted by Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas. It will stream simultaneously on both Disney+ and Hulu, opening with a new episode focused on Camp Rock ahead of the Camp Rock 3 premiere, followed by additional episodes featuring the brothers live from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event that same weekend.
The remaining titles will arrive in phases over the coming months with new episodes streaming weekly. “Pod Meets World,” hosted by Boy Meets World stars Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Rider Strong, joins Disney+ on August 24. Headed to Hulu (and Hulu on Disney+ for U.S. bundle subscribers) are the Desperate Housewives rewatch series “Desperately Devoted” (debuting in video for the first time on November 2, hosted by Teri Hatcher, Andrea Bowen and Emerson Tenney), “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald” from Scrubs stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison, “StraightioLab,” and “Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim.”
The partnership builds on Disney+ and Hulu’s existing collection of about 30 podcasts available in the U.S., including licensed, rewatch and companion titles, as the platforms deepen their push into the growing video podcast format also pursued by rivals such as Netflix and HBO Max.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Fans can’t get enough of the stories and talent they love, and podcasts have become one of the fastest-growing ways for audiences to connect with them,” said Lauren Tempest, Head of Content Planning & Partnerships for Direct-to-Consumer at The Walt Disney Company.
“These new video podcasts from iHeartMedia bring fans closer to their favorite worlds and the creators behind them.” iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman added: “Podcasting continues to evolve as audiences increasingly want to engage with the shows and personalities they love in more ways and across more platforms. Disney+ and Hulu have built powerful streaming destinations with incredibly passionate fan communities, making them ideal partners to expand the reach of these beloved iHeartPodcasts.”