Netflix and iHeartMedia have agreed on a multi-year deal that will bring more than 15 of iHeart’s top podcasts to the streaming platform starting in early 2026. They’ll be available as exclusive video podcasts in the United States, with plans to expand to more later.
The lineup of podcasts includes The Breakfast Club, My Favorite Murder, Dear Chelsea, Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast, Joe and Jada, and This Is Important. As part of the agreement, iHeart will share all new video episodes, along with select episodes from the existing library.
Netflix is about to get a variety of high-quality video podcasts
It is worth mentioning that the podcasts will remain available on all audio-only platforms where they were previously available. The deal represents a significant strategic expansion for the streaming platform, as it dives deeper into the video podcast format, a space that’s growing rapidly as listeners want visual engagement alongside meaningful conversations.
This also signals that Netflix is on a mission to expand its content library beyond fictional and non-fictional, scripted and non-scripted TV content into daily, habitual viewing experiences for users. For iHeartMedia, the deal with Netflix brings immense exposure to a global audience of over 300 million paid subscribers.
If you’re a Netflix subscriber or an avid podcast consumer, the deal means you’ll soon be able to watch your favorite podcasts directly on the Netflix app or website. Not only will this increase the variety of content available on the OTT service, but it will also reduce your hassle of jumping between apps and platforms to view shows and podcasts.
For podcasters and creators, the deal could translate into less reliance on platforms like YouTube for reach and revenue, as it provides access to exclusive video distribution platforms with active subscription bases.
You should expect Netflix to roll out the video podcasts for U.S. viewers in early 2026. The partnership could also attract more creators to the OTT platform, blurring the lines between traditional TV, streaming services, and the rapidly expanding podcast culture. In the future, Netflix might add a couple of community features and interactive elements to keep users engaged with the video podcasts.
Most recently, Netflix also announced that it’s buying Warner Bros. and HBO for $82.7 billion, bringing some of the most popular TV shows and movie franchises to the platform by the end of next year.