Deal to Include New Seasons of “Sacred Scandal,” “More Than a Movie,” “El Flow” and a Brand New Narrative Nonfiction Series
NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES (June 12, 2023) – Exile Content Studio, a Candle Media Company that creates content in Spanish and English for a global audience across multiple platforms, and My Cultura, iHeartMedia’s podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and stories, announced today a renewed podcast content partnership. Running through 2024, the deal will include new seasons of the beloved true crime series “Sacred Scandal” and “More Than a Movie” as well as a new season of “El Flow” and a new narrative nonfiction scripted series.
“After working seamlessly together on our previous slate of podcasts, we are thrilled to renew our partnership with iHeartMedia’s My Cultura,” said Daniel Batista, Chief Operating Officer at Exile. “Their brilliant team is dedicated to elevating Latino stories and creatives, which aligns perfectly with Exile’s audiences and mission, and continues to make My Cultura our perfect partner.”
"Exile has not only established itself as a leader of Latino-focused content, but also as an innovative and trustworthy partner – always looking to challenge and reinvent with every new season and title they launch," said Conal Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “We look forward to both building on the success of hits like ‘Sacred Scandal,’ ‘More Than a Movie’ and ‘El Flow,’ and to releasing a new series together that will continue to push the boundaries of what audio storytelling can do for this audience and beyond.”
Exile Content Studio and My Cultura’s first season of “Sacred Scandal” shared the story of the 2001 murder of Sister Michelle Lewis, a nun at Miami’s Holy Cross Academy, by a teenage monk. The current season, “Sacred Scandal: La Luz del Mundo,” exploring the story of the powerful Mexican Church and one of its self-proclaimed apostles: Joaquín Naasón. From controlling tactics to sexual enslavement, Naasón controlled a multitude of LLDM devotees, some of whom now describe their experiences in the church as “pure evil.”
The first season of “More Than a Movie: American Me” delved into the true story of Edward James Olmos’ 1992 cult classic movie, “American Me,” and the legacy the controversial film left behind. When people were allegedly murdered because of their participation in the film and Olmos himself was reportedly extorted by the real Mexican Mafia, the story brought to light the unintended risks of trying to expose corruption. Hosted by Emmy®-nominated producer and writer Alex Fumero (HBO Max’s “Menudo: Forever Young”) and produced by CalMatters journalist Nigel Duara, the series was recognized as a 2023 Webby Awards Honoree and in the New York Festivals Radio Awards.
“El Flow” tells the story of reggaeton, its most emblematic artists, and the secrets of how the genre’s top hits were made. It’s a story of migration, expression, evolution, sexuality, rebellion, and repression. Since its beginning, the genre has had one constant; movement. From Panama to Puerto Rico, from Boston to Medellin, from Mexico to Brazil. There has always been someone willing to raise their hand and take the lead. As a result, reggaeton evolved as a merger of Pan-American musical influences, which in turn helped explode its appeal.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Exile Content Studio and to build on the incredible podcasts we have created together,” said Gisselle Bances, Head of iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network. “Our mission is to tell our stories and to establish a home where Latinx storytellers can proudly use their voices. It’s great to have a partner that aligns with that.”
Under the partnership, Exile Content Studio and My Cultura will also produce a new narrative scripted non-fiction series. Additional details about the project will be announced soon.
All series under the partnership will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. To stay up to date with Exile and My Cultura’s upcoming projects, follow along at @ExileContent.
About Exile Content Studio
Exile Content Studio creates content in Spanish and English for a global audience across multiple platforms — TV, Film, Audio and Digital. Exile’s team has led content production for the largest Spanish-language media companies in the world with responsibility for film studios, OTT service, broadcast and cable networks, music, news and digital. The company’s current slate includes award-winning talent across genres and formats. To stay up to date on Exile’s projects, follow @ExileContent on Twitter and Instagram.
Exile Content Studio is a part of Candle Media, an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises built for the digital age. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community, and commerce, it helps position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond. Candle was founded by its Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone’s flagship private equity business.