iHeartMedia

“Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang” takes home coveted Podcast of the Year Award

Special guest presenters included Annaleigh Ashford and Melissa Moore, Cam Jordan, Chelsea Handler, Dennis Quaid, Ed Helms, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, Joe Manganiello, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Spain, Sophia Bush and more

Ceremony to air on AXS TV Today, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET

NEW YORK AND AUSTIN – March 11, 2025 – Last night, the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards Live at SXSW brought together the most influential names in podcasting to honor the most entertaining and innovative podcasts of 2024, celebrating the incredible talent and wide variety of leaders across the podcasting industry live and in-person in Austin, Texas at ACL Live at The Moody Theater.

The night featured a variety of appearances by award nominees, celebrity presenters and special guests including winners Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff from “My Favorite Murder”; presenters Annaleigh Ashford and Melissa G. Moore, Cam Jordan, Chelsea Handler, Dennis Quaid, Ed Helms, Joe Manganiello, Kyle MacLachlan, Social Impact Award winner Sarah Spain and Sophia Bush.

The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards event highlights include:

• Hosts Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray of “The Daily Zeitgeist” podcast opened the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards with their signature humor, setting the tone for the evening.
• Joe Manganiello and his dog Bubbles presented the first iHeartPodcast Award of the night Best Overall Ensemble to “My Favorite Murder” and hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, who expressed their gratitude for being part of the podcast industry and the other nominees, saying, “it feels really cool to be in a club with you guys.”
• Melissa G. Moore, host of the “Happy Face” true crime podcast, and actress Annaleigh Ashford, who plays Melissa in the upcoming television adaptation on Paramount+, presented the Best Crime Podcast to “Betrayal.” Host Andrea Gunning accepted the award and recounted how the brave women who share their stories on the show are the ones to be admired.
• “SNAFU” host Ed Helms presented the Social Impact Award to Sarah Spain, host of the “Good Game” podcast and Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, who thanked iHeart for trusting her “veteran voice” for the iHeart Women’s Sports Network and encouraged people to continue jumping on the women’s sports bandwagon without any shame for being late. “Join us, because even though we’ve been here for a long time, I’m pretty sure we’re just getting started,” she said.
• Ed Helms then returned to present the award for Best Overall Host to Mel Robbins from “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” who accepted her award via video and highlighted the versatility of podcasting and how at a time “where the world feels overwhelming and kinda dark, I think it’s cool that people are turning to positive programming.”
• Actors and “Not Today, Pal” hosts Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler presented the Best Science Podcast to “Ologies with Alie Ward,” who started her speech by giving facts about racoons and possums “in case you’re on Hinge and need something to say,” before thanking the podcasting industry for letting her be exactly herself. “Everything is interesting if you give it enough context, everything is funny if you’re honest enough, and be nice to scientists – it’s a bad time,” she said at the end of her speech.
• Early winners Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark from “My Favorite Murder” returned to present Best Business and Finance to “Planet Money.”
• Actor and podcaster Kyle MacLachlan, who will be launching the new iHeartPodcast “What Are We Even Doing” on the Elvis Duran Podcast Network, presented the Audible Audio Pioneer Award to Dan Taberski, who reminisced on the full-circle moment of winning an award at SXSW early in his career and how that encouragement helped him have confidence to keep going.
• Social Impact Icon honoree Sarah Spain and eight-time Pro Bowler and host of “Off the Edge” Cam Jordan highlighted the versatility of international podcasting while presenting the Best International Podcast award to “The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett” from the United Kingdom.
• Host Miles Gray raised a glass of Wild Turkey bourbon to toast several winners of the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards, including Best Pop Culture Podcast “The World's First Podcast with Erin & Sara Foster” and Best Ad Read “Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.”
• Actress and host of “Drama Queens” and “Work in Progress” Sophia Bush presented Best Travel Podcast to “JUMP with Traveling Jackie,” who reminisced on starting her podcast 11 years earlier and talked about what it takes to have an independent podcast.
• “Broken Record” host Justin Richmond and “Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF” host Vivian Tu presented Best Technology Podcast Presented by Lenovo® to “Hard Fork,” who expressed their love for technology with hesitation for where it’s going.
• “Happy Face” actor Dennis Quaid presented the Innovator Icon Award – and the Best Spanish Language Podcast Award -- to Daniel Alarcón, who expressed his thanks on behalf of the entire “Radio Ambulante” team.
• Filmmaker Payne Lindsey and “Wrongful Conviction” host Lauren Bright Pacheco presented Best News to “Pivot” with journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway, which was accepted by a member of their team.
• “Dear Chelsea” host Chelsea Handler presented Podcast of the Year to “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” who thanked their fans for voting, with Matt Rogers saying, “That’s really why we do it, to keep you guys laughing and hopefully inform you with our half-informed takes.”

The ceremony was also broadcast on select iHeartMedia Radio stations across the country, audio streamed exclusively via the iHeartPodcast Channel on the iHeartRadio app and video streamed on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook channel. The event is now available on demand and will air on AXS TV on Today, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

The full list of 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards winners are:

Social Impact Award: Sarah Spain

Audible Audio Pioneer Award: Dan Taberski

Innovator Award: Daniel Alarcón

Podcast of the Year:

• Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Best Business & Finance Podcast:

• Planet Money

Best Comedy Podcast:

• Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Best Crime Podcast:

• Betrayal

Best Pop Culture Podcast:

• The World's First Podcast with Erin & Sara Foster

Best Food Podcast:

• Be My Guest with Ina Garten

Best Wellness & Fitness Podcast:

• Huberman Lab

Best History Podcast:

• You're Wrong About

Best Kids & Family Podcast:

• Story Pirates

Best Music Podcast:

• Song Exploder

Best News Podcast:

• Pivot

Best Fiction Podcast:

• Hello From The Magic Tavern

Best Sports Podcast:

• New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Best Science Podcast:

• Ologies with Alie Ward

Best Technology Podcast presented by Lenovo®:

• Hard Fork

Best Ad Read:

• Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Best Overall Host:

• Mel Robbins (The Mel Robbins Podcast)

Best Overall Ensemble:

• My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Best Political Podcast:

• The Megyn Kelly Show

Best TV & Film Podcast:

• How Did This Get Made?

Best Spanish Language Podcast:

• Radio Ambulante

Best Advice/Inspirational Podcast:

• Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Best Beauty & Fashion Podcast:

• Naked Beauty

Best Travel Podcast:

• JUMP with Traveling Jackie

Best Green Podcast:

• TED Climate

Best Spirituality & Religion Podcast:

• Oprah's Super Soul

Best Branded Podcast:

• You Can't Make This Up (Netflix)

Best Emerging Podcast:

• Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce

Best International Podcast:

• The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett - United Kingdom

Proud partners of this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards include Audible, Lenovo® and Wild Turkey® Bourbon.

Executive producers for the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards are John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia. The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of nationally recognized events including the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Concert Tour, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartCountry Festival and iHeartRadio ALTer Ego.

For more information on the iHeartPodcast Awards, visit the website here.

Hosted by Jack O’Brien & Miles Gray of The Daily Zeitgeist Podcast, The Awards Show Features All-Star Presenters Annaleigh Ashford, Chelsea Handler, Cam Jordan, Dennis Quaid, Ed Helms, Joe Manganiello, Kyle MacLachlan, Sophia Bush & More

LOS ANGELES – (March 10, 2025) – AXS TV, a leading television, streaming, digital, and social music and entertainment brand, delivers exclusive coverage of podcasting’s biggest night as the official television partner of the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards Live at SXSW. The star-studded event is being held tonight at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, and AXS TV will broadcast the Awards Show on Tuesday, March 11 at 8P ET.

Hosted by Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray of iHeart’s acclaimed comedy podcast The Daily Zeitgeist, the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards are the ultimate celebration honoring the industry’s most influential voices, groundbreaking shows, and unforgettable moments. As part of the festivities, the iHeartPodcast Awards also feature an impressive roster of all-star presenters boasting Annaleigh Ashford and Melissa Moore, Cam Jordan, Chelsea Handler, Dennis Quaid, Ed Helms, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, Joe Manganiello, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Spain, Sophia Bush, and many more.

This year is poised to mark the event’s largest production and venue to date, putting the spotlight on a diverse field of talented nominees across 29 categories including Best Comedy Podcast, Best Crime Podcast, Best Overall Host, and more. It all leads up to the coveted Podcast Of The Year award, where the fans, themselves, will vote to determine the top winner from a talented pool featuring Normal Gossip, Three, Giggly Squad, Call Her Daddy, Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Hysterical, The Telepathy Tapes, Who Killed JFK?, Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD and The Good Whale.

“Podcasting has redefined the traditional listening experience with dynamic content, visionary creators, and innovative formats that truly have something for everyone,” said AXS TV President Andy Schuon. “AXS TV is proud to serve as the official television partner of the iHeartPodcast Awards, giving our viewers access to an incredible evening honoring the absolute best in podcasting. The partnership is a testament to our continued drive to give leading brands unprecedented access to AXS TV—empowering industry pioneers such as Julien’s Auctions, Gibson, iHeartMedia, Anime.com, and more to reach millions of dedicated music enthusiasts around the world via AXS TV, while providing our audience with exclusive and original music programming that they can’t find anywhere else.”

Proud partners of this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards include Audible, Lenovo® and Wild Turkey® Bourbon.

About AXS TV

AXS TV is a leading television, streaming, digital, and social music and entertainment brand owned and operated by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. AXS TV’s programming celebrates music’s rich history and keeps its audience current on what’s happening in music today with non-fiction docs, live concerts, music news and information, reality shows, and well known programs including The Big Interview with Dan Rather and The Top Ten Revealed. AXS TV is also home to TNA Wrestling, one of the world's top wrestling brands. Multi-platform AXS TV is available on television in all 50 states and across Canada, parts of the Caribbean, and streaming through its FAST (free-ad-supported-streaming television) channel. AXS TV has a vast reach on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. For a full list of providers and territories, please visit axs.tv/subscribe.

LL COOL J to host this year’s award show

NEW YORK- March 10, 2025- iHeartMedia and FOX Entertainment today announced that the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards will feature performances by Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, Nelly and more. Additionally, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Kennedy Center Honoree, NAACP Image Award winner and two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon LL COOL J will return as host for the annual event airing LIVE from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Monday, March 17 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET live / PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The event also will broadcast live on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. 

“Excited to be back on the iHeartRadio stage to host this year’s awards. It’s going to be a night to remember—big energy, iconic moments and special collaborations you won’t want to miss,” said LL COOL J. 

In addition to performing, Nelly will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award, which honors artists whose album releases have inspired and shaped culture over multiple decades. Nelly made an explosive debut in 2000 with Country Grammar, an album that has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and set the foundation for his iconic career. He further solidified his superstar status with Nellyville (2002), featuring chart-topping hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” with Kelly Rowland—songs that earned him two of his three Grammy Awards. With over 21 million albums sold in the U.S., globally, his total record sales, encompassing both albums and singles, have surpassed 75 million units. This double diamond-selling artist ranks among one of the best-selling rap artists of all time. This performance kicks off his “Where The Party At” worldwide tour.

The 12th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2024, while also offering a preview of the upcoming hits of 2025. The show will feature award presentations in multiple categories, live performances from the biggest artists in music, surprise guests and collaborations and will showcase the stories of the winning artists’ road to #1. 

Additionally, 13-time Grammy Award, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winning artist Lady Gaga will be honored with the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award and Mariah Carey, the elusive chanteuse and best-selling female artist of all time, will be honored with the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award. 

To celebrate iHeartRadio’s “Tour of the Century Award” honoring Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, which launched two years ago to the day of this year’s telecast, an exclusive performance from that opening night show of The Eras’s Tour will premiere during the Awards telecast.

This year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards will also pay tribute to the resiliency and rebuilding of Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires affecting the entire community and will drive donations to Fireaidla.org. Contributions made to FireAid will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation, for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters. The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in the community, including rapid response, will help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact.

Artists receiving several nominations include, aespa, Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doja Cat, ENHYPEN, FEID, Future, GloRilla, Green Day, Hozier, ILLIT, Jelly Roll, Jimin, Karol G, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, Megan Thee Stallion, Metro Boomin, Morgan Wallen, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, SZA, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift, Teddy Swims, Tyla, Usher and Xavi. 

In addition to paying tribute to music and artists, the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards will again celebrate the fans, giving iHeartRadio listeners the opportunity to decide winners in several new and established categories. Fan voting will determine this year’s Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge, Favorite Surprise Guest, Favorite Tour Tradition, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite Tour Style, Favorite Tour Photographer and Favorite on Screen. Social voting will close on March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT for all categories. Fans can vote by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards.

Additional categories include Label of the Year and individual winners for Album of the Year in music’s biggest genres, including Pop, Country, Alternative, Rock, Dance, Hip-Hop, R&B, Latin and Regional Mexican formats. For a full list of categories, visit iHeartRadio.com/awards.

Executive producers for the iHeartRadio Music Awards are Joel Gallen, for Tenth Planet; and John Sykes, Tom Poleman and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia. For breaking news and exclusive iHeartRadio Music Awards content, visit iHeartRadio.com/awards or follow the social buzz on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Proud partners of this year’s event across iHeart platforms include David’s Bridal and e.l.f. Beauty.

Artists and/or events subject to change or cancellation without notice. 

The event will also broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations across the country, and on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook channel

WHAT: The 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards Live at SXSW will be hosted by Jack O’Brien and Miles Gray of “The Daily Zeitgeist” podcast and will honor 2024’s most innovative and influential voices and creators in podcasting live in Austin, Texas at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Today, iHeartMedia reveals its list of presenters.

WHO: Presenters for the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards will include Annaleigh Ashford and Melissa Moore, Cam Jordan, Chelsea Handler, Dennis Quaid, Ed Helms, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, Joe Manganiello, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Spain, Sophia Bush and more. The event will also include an array of nominees and surprise celebrity guest appearances.

A full list of the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards categories and nominees can be found here.

WHEN: Monday, March 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. CT

WHERE: The iHeartRadio Podcast Awards will take place at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701).

The ceremony will also broadcast on select iHeartMedia Radio stations across the country, audio stream via the exclusive iHeartPodcast Channel on the iHeartRadio app, and video stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook channel at 10 p.m. CT. The event will then be available on demand following the initial livestream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube channel.

MORE: Executive producers for the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards are John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Conal Byrne and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia.

Proud partners of this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards include Audible, Lenovo® and Wild Turkey® Bourbon.

Launching February 24, the daily podcast will uncover the chilling realities and often overlooked stories of missing Black women

Listen HERE

NEW YORK – February 24, 2024 –Today, iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network announced “Hunting 4 Answers,” a daily true crime podcast dedicated to shedding light on the silent epidemic of missing and murdered Black women in America. New episodes will post every weekday beginning February 24.

Hosted by Atlanta journalist Hunter Gilmore, “Hunting 4 Answers” will bring attention to the heart-wrenching and often ignored stories within the Black community that deserve to be told. The podcast will highlight both current and cold cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls across the country.

“For too long, the stories of missing and murdered Black women have gone overlooked. Their cases have been ignored, their voices have been silenced. The goal of ‘Hunting 4 Answers’ is to change that,” said Gilmore. “We are honored to join forces with The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartMedia to amplify these stories, reach wider audiences and help seek justice. Together, we are making sure these women are seen, heard and never forgotten.”

The series also highlights cases involving issues that disproportionately affect this demographic such as domestic violence, trafficking, and systemic neglect. Each brief episode unpacks cases with new insights, details and calls to action for listeners.

“Our mission has always been to create a platform that elevates often overlooked voices and shed light on narratives that matter in our community,” said Dollie S. Bishop, President, The Black Effect Podcast Network. “We’re excited to launch ‘Hunting 4 Answers’ on The Black Effect. This show is much more than a true crime podcast – it’s a chance to shine a light on the untold stories of missing and murdered Black women and help find answers for their families. These women matter and we’re proud to help make sure their stories get the attention they deserve.”

The Black Effect Podcast Network is the leading platform for Black creators to raise their voices and be heard in the podcast space. It brings together the most influential and trusted voices in black culture for stimulating conversations around social justice, pop culture, sports, mental health, news, comedy and more. Launched in September 2020, the Black Effect Podcast Network has debuted 37 shows featuring a luminous roster of marquee talent and culture-shifting voices committed to enlightening, educating and entertaining audiences, curated by Charlamagne Tha God himself.

“Hunting 4 Answers” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Editor’s Note: Include the podcast audio player directly into your article or website with the below embed code:

Embed Code: <iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-hunting-4-answers-a-true-c-260667578/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Download Cover Art HERE

About Hunter Gilmore
Hunter Gilmore is a journalist, producer, screenwriter and the creator of Hunting 4 Answers. With over nine years of experience in journalism and media production, she enjoys lending her expertise in television production, print and digital media, and content creation.

About The Black Effect Podcast Network

The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God in a historic joint venture with the world’s number-one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia. Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, entertainment, politics, pop culture, and sports. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative visions have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform, and empower. Visit www.BlackEffect.com for more information.

Host and academic hero Jorge Cham makes science fun and accessible as he answers puzzling questions about animals, space, your brain and the human body

Listen to the trailer now HERE

LOS ANGELES – March 5, 2025 - iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced “ScienceStuff” a new original podcast hosted by best-selling and award-winning cartoonist and author Jorge Cham. New episodes release every Wednesday starting March 12. Curious listeners can hear the trailer now, here, and follow the show to be alerted when new episodes drop.

Ever wonder if your pet is lying to you, what’s inside a black hole or if you’d survive being cryogenically frozen? Each week, “ScienceStuff” will tackle the kind of questions everyday people have always wanted to know the answer to including:

• Do you really have to wait 30 minutes before you can go swimming?
• Are near-death experiences real?
• What exactly are Quantum Computers?

With infectious curiosity, Cham, a former roboticist and Caltech researcher and instructor, will take listeners on a fun and illuminating dive into a new question each week, talk to experts and explain the history and latest scientific results on each topic.

Jorge Cham obtained his Ph.D. in robotics from Stanford University and was an instructor and research associate at Caltech before leaving academia to create “Piled Higher and Deeper” (known as “PHD Comics”), a favorite comic strip of scientists and academics with millions of readers online and in print. According to the prestigious journal Science, Cham’s “following in the scientific world are enough to make even the most distinguished professor green with envy.” He is also the main creator and creative director of the Emmy-nominated animated series “Elinor Wonders Why” which airs on PBS Kids and around the world, and an author of several popular science books including the award-winning “We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe” and the celebrated children’s series “Oliver’s Great Big Universe.”

“ScienceStuff” is produced and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, joining its flagship family of “Stuff” curiosity shows, which includes the popular “Stuff You Should Know,” “TechStuff,” “Stuff You Missed in History Class” and “Stuff To Blow Your Mind,” among others, expanding the brand into the world of science. All “Stuff” shows are available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Include the “ScienceStuff” podcast audio player directly into your article or website using the embed code below:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-sciencestuff-269210018/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Download the show cover art HERE.

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – February 28, 2024 – iHeartMedia recently highlighted new music and artists alike with special programming. 

This week, iHearMedia World Premiered new music, including Benson Boone’s “Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else” on February 28 and 27 across all iHeartRadio CHR and Hot AC stations; VaShawn Mitchell’s “Make A Way” on February 27 across all iHeartRadio Gospel stations; and Billy Idol’s “Still Dancing” on February 26 across all iHeartRadio Classic Rock stations. 

Earlier this month, Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez and Gracie Abrams’ collaboration “Call Me When You Break Up” had a World Premiere debut on February 20 and 21 across all iHeartRadio CHR stations; Disturbed’s “I Will Not Break” had a World Premiere debut on February 21 across all iHeartRadio Rock stations; and Dierks Bentley’s “She Hates Me” had a World Premiere debut on February 14 across all iHeartCountry stations. 

Additionally, iHeartRadio CHR and Hot AC stations celebrated Tate McRae’s new album “So Close to What” by playing the album in its entirety at midnight upon its release on February 21. The special broadcast included exclusive audio from Tate sharing the stories behind each song on the album. Following the full album playback, iHeartRadio CHR stations continued to highlight a handful of songs off the album throughout the day.

For the latest news, music fans can follow iHeartRadio on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit iHeartRadio.com.

Listen to the official trailer now here

WHO: iHeartPodcasts and Gavin Newsom present a brand-new project titled “This is Gavin Newsom.” Governor Newsom is going solo and diving into the real issues that matter—government, politics, affordability, quality of life, and the cultural moments shaping our world. No spin, no script, just real talk about what impacts listeners most. Tune in and be part of the conversation.

WHEN: The official trailer is now available. Tune in on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

WHERE: “This is Gavin Newsom” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts. Follow @thisisgavinnewsom on Instagram for episode clips and updates.

PODCAST EMBED CODE:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-this-is-gavin-newsom-268904129/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Download cover art HERE // credit: iHeartPodcasts

Hosted by Mandii B and WeezyWTF, The Event will Feature Live Tapings of Popular Shows Including “Woman Evolve,” “Good Moms, Bad Choices,” “R&B Money,” “Naked Sports with Cari Champion” and “The Trap Nerds” as well as Panel Discussions Featuring Charlamagne Tha God and More

Tickets on sale February 26th at 12 p.m. EST

ATLANTA – February 25, 2025 – iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God today announced the return of the Black Effect Podcast Festival to celebrate, uplift and amplify Black voices in the podcast industry. The event will take place Saturday, April 26, 2025 from noon to 8 p.m. ET at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, GA. Charlamagne Tha God will join the festival alongside some of the Black Effect’s most popular personalities for a day full of live podcast tapings and informative discussions aimed at aspiring podcasters in the Black community. The festival will be hosted by Mandii B and WeezyWTF, hosts of The Black Effect Podcast Network’s wildly popular show “Decisions, Decisions.” Tickets will go on sale February 26th at 12pm. For more information on ticket pricing and this year’s festival lineup, visit here.

The third annual festival will feature live appearances from some of the Black Effect’s most popular shows including “Woman Evolve,” “Good Moms, Bad Choices,” “R&B Money,” “Naked Sports with Cari Champion” and “The Trap Nerds.” Additionally, ticket holders will hear thought-provoking and informative panel discussions during the event including “Adapting to Trends: The Future of Podcasting” and so much more. The panels will feature special guests including founder, Charlamagne Tha God.

“We’re excited to return to Atlanta, building on the incredible momentum of the podcast industry and the growing impact of Black creators in the space,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “As the influence of Black voices continues to shape culture and drive conversations, The Black Effect remains committed to powerful storytelling, meaningful brand collaborations and unforgettable live experiences. This year, we’re celebrating not just where we’ve been – we’re embracing the limitless future of Black podcasting and the influence it holds.”

Last year’s sold out show brought together thousands of podcast fans with the Black Effect Podcast Network’s top talent for a day of live podcast recordings from the network’s most popular shows including “Carefully Reckless with Jess Hilarious,” “Decisions, Decisions,” and “Black Tech, Green Money.”

The Black Effect Podcast Network is the leading platform for Black creators to raise their voices and be heard in the podcast space. It brings together the most influential and trusted voices in black culture for stimulating conversations around social justice, pop culture, sports, mental health, news, comedy and more. Launched in September 2020, the Black Effect Podcast Network has since debuted 47 shows, featuring a luminous roster of marquee talent and culture-shifting voices committed to enlightening, educating and entertaining audiences, curated by Charlamagne Tha God himself.

Festival sponsors will be on-site at the event with engaging activations for attendees including the Pitch Your Podcast booth. In addition, the festival will also feature a variety of other activities such as a pop-up marketplace showcasing merchandise from Black-owned businesses, a photo booth, and Office Hours, with 1:1 mentoring sessions with iHeartMedia executives.

Black Effect Podcast Festival partners include AT&T, Nissan, and Coca-Cola™. Fans can visit blackeffect.com/podcastfestival beginning February 26th at 12pm ET to purchase tickets. Special student ticket pricing is also available.

Download the 2025 festival logo HERE.

About The Black Effect Podcast Network

The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God in a historic joint venture with the world’s number-one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia. Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, entertainment, politics, pop culture, and sports. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative visions have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform, and empower.

Doha, Qatar – February 24, 2025 – iHeartMedia, the leading global podcast network, and the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar have signed a groundbreaking multi-year partnership to create a thriving podcasting industry in the Middle East and North Africa.

The partnership brings world-class podcasting infrastructure to Qatar and will spark a wave of creative storytelling across the MENA region, leading to the region becoming a global podcasting hub.

iHeart will develop a state-of-the-art podcast studio in Qatar, accompanied by a lineup of original shows and the introduction of some of the world’s most popular podcasts to Arabic-listening audiences. It will also execute specialized masterclasses to nurture local talent and host global industry events, including Web Summit gatherings, positioning Qatar as a meeting point for the world’s top podcasting voices.

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, GCO Director and Chairman of the Web Summit Permanent Organizing Committee, said: “This collaboration marks a significant step towards the development of the podcasting industry in the region and reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading hub for digital content creation. I am confident this platform will serve as a catalyst for creativity, inspire new storytelling formats build a sustainable podcasting ecosystem and create opportunities for a new of generation of content creators in the Arab world.”

“Podcasting has exploded in the US and is now a mass-reach medium. And iHeartMedia, with our expansive network as the #1 podcaster in America, is in a unique position to grow strong listenership around the globe,” said Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia. “iHeartPodcasts features a massive catalog of original shows spanning every category and this new partnership creates an opportunity to work with a long roster of incredible creators and distribute even more content to new audiences in the Middle East.”

The partnership was announced live from Web Summit Qatar’s main stage by Conal Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group, which also featured some of iHeart’s top talents including Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author and co-founder of Pushkin Industries and host of “Revisionist History”; Jay Shetty, global best-selling author and award-winning host of the chart-topping global podcast “On Purpose”; David Eagleman, neuroscientist at Stanford University, internationally best-selling author and host of “Inner Cosmos”; and Jonathan Strickland, Executive Producer for iHeartPodcasts and host of “TechStuff.”

Aligned with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the partnership invests in digital media and knowledge-sharing, empowering new voices and ensuring Arabic content thrives on a global stage. The announcement follows the partnership agreement between iHeartMedia and the GCO earlier this year, which established iHeartMedia as the Official Podcast Partner for Web Summit Qatar 2025.

About the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar

The Government Communications Office was established in 2015 to serve as the strategic communications arm of the State of Qatar. It coordinates communications activities across government and public-sector institutions, showcasing the country’s vision, initiatives and achievements in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.