iHeartMedia

Campaign Inspires Listeners to Take Simple Actions During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond That Positively Impact the Planet and Help Save Money

iHeartRadio Earth Inaugural Partners Include the National Environmental Education Foundation and VolunteerMatch

NEW YORK – April 22, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the number one audio company in the United States, today celebrated Earth Day 2020 with the launch of iHeartRadio Earth, a new sustainability initiative designed to inspire iHeart’s millions of listeners to take action to positively impact the environment.

The first phase of the campaign, which launched today, focuses on the environmental impact of consumers’ behavioral changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with millions of Americans staying home, there has been a significant increase in energy and water usage as well as how families shop for, consume and dispose of food. The series of PSAs developed in partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, provide useful tips and information that will promote insights about environmentally conscious actions and behavior while also helping consumers save money during this unprecedented and challenging time. The program also provides listeners with information about virtual ways to explore the outdoors, including free guided tours of national parks, online workshops and more.

Over the course of the year, iHeartRadio Earth will evolve to include a series of local environmental events and initiatives, social media activations, on-air personality and celebrity endorsements and a year-long PSA campaign that will educate audiences across iHeart’s stations and platforms about small steps they can take in their daily lives to make a positive impact in their own communities and on the planet. Additionally, the company plans to create a slate of podcasts that will focus on an array of environmental concerns and issues, as well as adding in a layer of environment-related messaging within other relevant and popular podcasts.

iHeartRadio Earth is designed to sharpen the company’s focus on sustainability with the goal of increasing listeners’ knowledge of simple actions they can take every day to help the environment. The campaign is rooted in the belief that millions of small actions have the potential to make a massive difference for the environment. All of iHeartRadio Earth’s efforts will lead listeners to an online destination for more information on how to conserve and protect the planet in their own communities. The website also provides an opportunity to search for local virtual volunteer activities powered by VolunteerMatch.

“iHeartMedia reaches 9 out of 10 Americans every day. If every one of our listeners took one or two small steps within their day-to-day routines to do things like conserve energy and reduce waste and water, we have a massive opportunity to make lasting impact on the world today and for the future,” said Bob Pittman, iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO. “Through iHeartRadio Earth we will continually inform, educate and inspire our listeners to drive social change by providing them with information, opportunities and resources to make a difference for the environment.”

"As we stay home to try to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many of us are beginning to recognize the importance of connecting with nature," said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of the National Environmental Education Foundation. "Spending more time indoors has also significantly increased household water, energy and food consumption. With these factors in mind, we are excited to collaborate on the iHeartRadio Earth campaign by providing listeners with helpful tips for saving money and reducing their impact on the environment."

About VolunteerMatch

Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch is the most effective way to recruit highly qualified volunteers for nonprofits. We are the largest nonprofit network in the world with the most nonprofits and volunteer opportunities. We believe everyone should have the chance to make a difference. That's why we make it easy for good people and good causes to connect. We've connected millions of people with great places to volunteer and helped tens of thousands of organizations better leverage volunteers to create real impact.

About The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Congressionally chartered in 1990, NEEF is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization working to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant and connected to people’s daily lives. We build effective public-private partnerships and develop programs and initiatives that advance environmental education and engagement in the United States. Learn more at NEEFusa.org.

To Celebrate and Raise Funds For First Responders And Front Line Medical Professionals During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Ryan Seacrest To Host The Special

Every Friday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT Day-long Tribute Special Will Culminate with a Performance by Today’s Biggest Names in Music, Beginning April 17 with Lewis Capaldi

Special Streamed LIVE on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Broadcasted Across 90 iHeartRadio Stations Nationwide

Listeners Can Use #iHeartFirstResponders on Social Media and Call 1-833-3FRIDAY To Share Stories About the First Responders and Medical Professionals Who Are Keeping Their Communities Safe

New York, NY – April 15, 2020 – iHeartMedia and FirstNet®, Built with AT&T announced today “iHeartRadio’s First Responder Fridays with FirstNet, Built with AT&T,” a special four-week tribute series hosted by Ryan Seacrest streamed LIVE on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and broadcasted across more than 90 iHeartRadio stations nationwide, honoring first responders and medical professionals on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Supporting first responders is our mission, which is why we are working alongside public safety in delivering the nation’s only Congressionally mandated first responder network that’s there when those that serve us need it most,” said Jason Porter, Senior Vice President, FirstNet Program at AT&T. “Through First Responder Fridays, we are honored to help celebrate and thank the men, women and their families on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for the commitment they’ve made to all of us.”

Beginning Tuesday, April 14, Ryan Seacrest will ask listeners on air on iHeartRadio stations across the country, online and through social media to share stories of how their lives have been positively impacted by Police, Fire, EMS and Hospital workers by using #iHeartFirstResponders on social media and calling 1-833-3FRIDAY.

On Air with Ryan Seacrest will kick off “iHeartRadio’s First Responder Fridays with FirstNet, Built with AT&T” April 17 and run every Friday through May 8, flooding the airwaves throughout the day on more than 90 CHR iHeartRadio stations across the U.S. and on the iHeartRadio app with #iHeartFirstResponders personal messages of thanks from listeners and paying tribute to first responders and health professionals.

Each day-long on air tribute will culminate at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT with a radio special program on iHeartRadio CHR stations nationwide and on YouTube featuring a superstar artist, performing a 30 minute set of their biggest hits, dedicating songs to First Responders and their families and helping to raise money for organizations supporting those on the front lines. This Friday’s performance will feature Lewis Capaldi.

In honor and support of these first responders and medical professionals, AT&T is committing $5.5 million to provide much needed support in the form of nourishing meals through World Central Kitchen, Feeding America, Salvation Army and Team Rubicon. Through “iHeartRadio’s First Responder Fridays with FirstNet, Built with AT&T,” iHeartMedia, AT&T and its FirstNet program hope to raise even more money by encouraging listeners and viewers to support these four amazing organizations. Listeners can Text TOGETHER to 20222 to donate $10 to support these four amazing organizations.

“There is no start or end time for those on the front lines,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “While most of us are winding things down on Friday evenings, our everyday heroes are clocking their 20th hour on shift and sleeping in their cars for fear of getting their families sick. Our First Responder Fridays will allow us to pay tribute all day to our first responders, bringing together the biggest artists and our local communities to celebrate and raise money for those on the front lines.”

FirstNet – built in public-private partnership with the federal government – is the only nationwide high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders. Using all AT&T LTE bands and already covering 99% of the U.S. population, the FirstNet network is helping public safety connect to the critical information they need – every day and in every emergency.

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Speakers Including: Hillary Clinton, Eli Manning, Mellody Hobson, General Stan McChrystal, David Solomon, Abby Wambach, David Chang, Katie Couric, Mike Krzyzewski, Dr. Oz, Chelsea Handler, Bobbi Brown, Stephanie Ruhle, Sienna Miller, Guy Raz and Sylvia Rhone; today’s biggest music artists, including Halsey, John Legend, Kesha, DJ Khaled, Khalid, Pitbull and Tim McGraw; and iHeartRadio On Air and Podcast Personalities including Ryan Seacrest, Enrique Santos, Angie Martinez, Bobby Bones, Jake Brennan, Angela Yee, Woody and more -- Will Share Words of Wisdom with Upcoming Graduates Unable to Attend their Commencement Ceremonies Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

NEW YORK – April 14, 2020 – iHeartMedia today announced “Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020” -- a one-of-kind special podcast event for America’s graduation month featuring commencement addresses from some of the most inspiring and accomplished thought leaders impacting culture today.  Participants in “Commencement:  Speeches for the Class of 2020” include two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion Abby Wambach; cosmetics icon Bobbi Brown; comedian and TV host Chelsea Handler; restaurateur and TV personality David Chang; Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon; NFL football legend Eli Manning; journalist and NPR correspondent Guy Raz; top recording artist Halsey; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; top recording artist John Legend; award-winning journalist Katie Couric; Grammy-nominated pop star Kesha; DJ Khaled; R&B singer and songwriter Khalid; business leader and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson; Coach Mike Krzyzewski; Dr. Oz; international recording artist and business entrepreneur Pitbull; actor Sienna Miller; General Stan McChrystal; MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle; CEO of Epic Records Sylvia Rhone and top country artist Tim McGraw, with more to be announced, to help celebrate and inspire high school and college graduates of 2020 as they look to the future.

“Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020” will also feature speeches from leading iHeartRadio on air personalities and podcast hosts, including Ryan Seacrest, Enrique Santos, Angie Martinez, Bobby Bones, Jake Brennan, Angela Yee, Woody with more to be announced – each sharing, from the safety of their homes, sage advice, heartfelt stories and words of wisdom aimed at motivating graduates during these unprecedented times.  

The podcast will publish the speeches on May 15, ahead of “National Graduation Day” (May 17). The speeches will be produced specifically for the podcast, through the iHeartPodcast Network, and are dedicated to all the graduating classes of 2020 who will miss their commencement celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard, with each speech also being featured on iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations across the country – reaching hundreds of millions of listeners nationwide and taking commencement addresses to a new level.  

“Because so many schools and colleges have moved to online learning to ensure the safety of their students, many graduates are missing their commencement ceremonies, traditionally such significant milestones in their lives,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “High school and college seniors are always in need of inspiration, reassurance and life advice as they head into the next chapter of their lives, and that is especially true this year. ‘Speeches for the Class Of 2020’ brings together some of the most experienced and inspiring people in the country today to celebrate the resilience, strength and accomplishments of this year’s graduates. These are the speakers our graduates would have had at their real-world ceremonies if not for current circumstances, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring them together through this podcast.”

Local and Nationally-Syndicated On Air Talent Across the Country including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and others Extend Morning Shows for an Additional Hour 

New York, New York – April 10, 2020 – Top iHeartMedia morning shows including New York’s “Elvis Duran and The Morning Show” and “The Breakfast Club,” Nashville’s “The Bobby Bones Show” and Los Angeles’ “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” and “Big Boy’s Neighborhood,” will extend their daily airtime for an additional hour+ because of increased listener demand received through daily call-ins and social media feedback during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

iHeartMedia also recently released data and insights on how Americans are consuming podcasts during the pandemic, noticing an uptick in the on-demand podcasts category with Top 5 on-demand shows up 9 percent month-to-date, including iHeartMedia’s leading radio personalities like Elvis Duran and The Breakfast Club.  In addition, with consumers spending more time at home, iHeartRadio usage across digital platforms has seen an overall increase in smart speakers --  for some (sonos) as high as 57 percent, 60 percent on web, 35 percent through smart TVs and social engagement with on air personalities has increased 19 percent.

“Given the amount of positive feedback our stations were receiving from their listeners, our on air talent began asking them if they should stay on air longer in the mornings -- and the response was incredible; for example, Elvis Duran received more than 65,000 likes and more than 12,000 comments when he asked his social media followers about extending his morning show,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer of iHeartMedia.  “This listener feedback, combined with the data we are seeing with our on demand shows, is a testament to the connection that our radio personalities have with their listeners, and the fact that broadcast radio still holds such a unique place in American culture especially during a time of crisis. These on air voices are a trusted friends with close emotional connections to their listeners, and they inspire their communities; and help them cope with anxiety and concern; and provide entertainment and stress relief.”

Beginning April 7, more than 65 morning shows across more than 50 markets will officially have extend their morning shows by at least one hour. In addition to each station’s regular programming schedules, on air personalities across the country will continue to serve and inform communities during these unprecedented times with the latest COVID 19 facts, with special local market broadcast reports on the latest news provided by iHeartRadio’s 24/7 News Network every hour.

The renowned podcast producer will develop a slate of five new podcasts and also executive produce several new and renewed shows for the network

NEW YORK – April 8, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, today announced a multi-year extension to the iHeartPodcast Network’s exclusive partnership with esteemed author and podcast creator, Aaron Mahnke. The deal includes two more years of new content for the popular “Cabinet of Curiosities,” two new seasons of “Unobscured” as well as an executive producer role for the newly launched hit “Strange Arrivals,” additional seasons of “Noble Blood” and a new scripted series set to launch this fall. Additionally, the partnership will add a slate of five new podcasts to feature groundbreaking talent including Rabia Chaudry – attorney, advocate and author of the New York Times bestselling book "Adnan's Story."

A pioneer of the podcasting medium, Mahnke rose to fame several years ago with his megahit show, “Lore,” which is still one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world and was spun off into a TV show, book series and live tour. In 2018, iHeartMedia and Mahnke entered into an exclusive partnership to create an original slate of podcasts. This resulted in new, huge hits like “Unobscured” and “Cabinet of Curiosities.” As part of this deal, Mahnke also began to executive produce new shows including “Noble Blood,” which reached the top of podcast charts everywhere when it launched last year.

“History is one of those areas that has a lot of value for us right now,” said Mahnke. “We can be entertained by it, learn from it, and even add new pieces to its incomplete puzzles—and my partnership with iHeart allows me to do a lot more of all of that through their openness to new ideas and industry-leading production staff. I couldn’t be more excited about the future.”

In addition to being available on digital, full episodes and vignettes of the extended content slate will air on broadcast radio, bringing this exceptional storytelling to iHeartMedia’s more than a quarter of a billion monthly broadcast listeners.

“Aaron ranks among the most innovative, groundbreaking creators at work today, in any medium, and so we are putting all of iHeartMedia’s resources behind him to make more podcast content, faster, for bigger audiences,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “This is one of the best parts of our job—putting some of the best creators in the world, on the biggest stage in the world. Beyond being Aaron’s business partner, we are also just huge fans and couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come.”

The iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 original podcasts with over 170 million downloads each month. iHeartRadio Original Podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartRadio the largest publisher of podcast content in the world. In addition to Mahnke’s popular slate of podcasts, the platform is also home to the most successful podcast of all time, “Stuff You Should Know” and creator of hits like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Disgraceland” and the “Atlanta Monster” series as well as fosters over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms including the iHeartRadio app, which additionally distributes more than 320,000 shows.

Fans can go to iHeart.com/apps to download and listen on all their favorite devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions, gaming consoles and more.

Iconic Past Performances from the iHeartRadio Stages Come to Living Rooms Across America 

Series Kicks off on Monday April 6 across Pop, Hot AC, Country and Alternative iHeartRadio Music Formats

New York, New York -- April 3, 2020 – iHeartMedia today announced the iHeart Midnight Concert Series, launching Monday April 6, bringing concerts to music fans in the safety of their homes every weekday at midnight.  The series, custom-curated for four different radio formats; Pop, Hot AC, Country and Alternative, will feature recent and past performances from the biggest names in music recorded live at the iHeartRadio Theaters in New York and Los Angeles and iHeartRadio’s marquee festivals and national events.

Listeners will hear iconic performances from superstar artists recorded live at marquee events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartRadio Wango Tango, iHeartCountry Festival, iHeartRadio ALTer Ego as well as intimate, exclusive performances from the iHeartRadio Theaters in New York and Los Angeles.

The Series launches Monday, April 6 at midnight on iHeartRadio Alternative, Pop, Hot AC and Country formats, as well as the iHeartRadio App. Fans can follow @iHeartRadio on Instagram at 12pm ET on Monday, April 6 for the lineup. Every performance thereafter will be announced daily on iHeartRadio’s Twitter at 12pm ET.

Virtual Book Club to Feature a Live Conversation with Alicia Keys and iHeartRadio On-Air Personality Angie Martinez on April 10

WHAT:  iHeartMedia announced today that it will host its first ever virtual book club in partnership with social retail platform talkshoplive®, a platform that allows customers to experience brands through live streaming and shoppable videos, in celebration of the release of Alicia Keys’ book, More Myself: A Journey on April 10 at 5:00pm ET.  The virtual book club will feature an intimate conversation between Alicia Keys and iHeartRadio on-air personality Angie Martinez about the book, released on March 31, via the iHeartRadio Channel on talkshoplive. Fans tuning in can purchase the book without leaving the conversation.

Beginning April 1 through April 10, iHeartRadio will run a Facebook contest which will allow fans to submit their favorite Alicia Keys lyric using #iHeartMoreMyself:AJourney for a chance to win a free e-book of More Myself: A Journey.

WHO:   As one of the most celebrated musicians in the world, Alicia has enraptured the globe with her heartfelt lyrics, extraordinary vocal range, and soul-stirring piano compositions. Yet away from the spotlight, Alicia has grappled with private heartache—over the challenging and complex relationship with her father, the people-pleasing nature that characterized her early career, the loss of privacy surrounding her romantic relationships, and the oppressive expectations of female perfection. Since Alicia rose to fame, her public persona has belied a deep personal truth: she has spent years not fully recognizing or honoring her own worth. After withholding parts of herself for so long, in the pages of More Myself: A Journey Alicia is at last exploring the questions that live at the heart of her story: Who am I, really? And once I discover that truth, how can I become brave enough to embrace it? 

More Myself: A Journey is part autobiography, part narrative documentary. Alicia’s journey is revealed not only through her own candid recounting, but also through vivid recollections from those who have walked alongside her. The result is a 360-degree perspective on Alicia’s path, from her girlhood in Hell’s Kitchen and Harlem to the process of growth and self-discovery that we all must navigate. 

WHEN:            April 10, 2020 at 5:00pm ET

WHERE:        iHeartRadio Channel on talkshoplive

New Statistics Reveal that More Americans are Listening to Podcasts Focused on Business, Finance, Entertainment and their Go-To iHeartRadio Radio Personalities and iHeartPodcast Network Shows 

NEW YORK – March 31, 2020 – iHeartMedia today announced new statistics that provide insight into how Americans are consuming a vast array of podcasts as they stay home and practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to seeing increased podcast listenership, especially in markets with stay-at-home orders, Americans are specifically turning to podcasts covering business, finance, education and entertainment, including shows from several leading iHeartRadio personalities - versus true crime podcast listening, which has seen a slight decline.

In addition, as news consumption grows across podcasting, the iHeartPodcast Network’s recently launched “Daily Coronavirus Update” has become one of iHeartRadio’s most listened to podcasts. The daily show hosted by Oscar Ramirez from the “Daily Dive” podcast provides stories on what to know about COVID-19 and how health and government officials are acting to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Across its more than 350 podcasts, listenership for the iHeartPodcast Network is up six percent month- over-month (month to date) as more Americans began staying at home.  That number is even higher in markets where governors announced shelter-in-place orders, with listening up 13 percent in California and eight percent in New York state in just one week.

During a time of economic uncertainty, Americans are listening to more business and finance podcasts – for which downloads and streams are up 78 percent week-over-week among the iHeartRadio Original podcasts. Listeners are also turning to music, entertainment and comedy during this time, where iHeartPodcasts have shown an increase in listening as well. In addition, listeners are staying connected with the personalities and shows they know and trust, finding human connection and conversation in the on-demand podcasts from iHeartMedia’s leading radio personalities like Elvis Duran and The Breakfast Club, all now seeing a growth in listens -- with Top 5 on-demand shows being up 9 percent month to date. Listenership of the iHeartPodcast Network’s leading educational podcasts, like “Stuff You Should Know” and “Stuff You Missed in History Class,” is also showing big growth: These popular “Stuff” podcasts are up 21 percent week-over-week. Interestingly, the true crime genre, one of the longstanding dominant genres in podcasting, is now flattening and even showing a slight decline month to date, as listeners seem to be moving away from these shows during these uncertain and stressful times.

“Broadcast radio has long served as a trusted voice in local communities during times of crisis and uncertainty, and now podcasts are also playing an integral role as a much-needed companion for millions of Americans,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “During this pandemic, we’re actually seeing listener interest shift on our iHeartPodcast network to genres like business, entertainment, education and news, and the seemingly unstoppable true crime format is seeing a slight dip at the moment as we move through this new, challenging territory together as a country.”

The iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 original podcasts with 170 million downloads each month. iHeartRadio Original Podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartRadio the largest publisher of podcast content in the world. iHeartRadio is home to one of the most successful podcasts of all time, “Stuff You Should Know,” and creator of hits like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Disgraceland” and the “Atlanta Monster” series as well as fosters over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms, including the iHeartRadio app, which additionally distributes more than 320,000 shows.

The Scrubs co-stars share behind-the-scene stories about the beloved TV show, its lasting cultural impact and their own friendship in new comedic re-watch podcast debuting today on the iHeartPodcast Network

NEW YORK – March 31, 2020 – iHeartRadio, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, announced today the launch of “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald” a weekly comedy Scrubs re-watch podcast hosted by Scrubs co-stars and real-life best friends Zach Braff and Donald Faison. Episode one of the new podcast is available now on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. New episodes of “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald” will post Tuesdays each week.

“We’re beyond excited to bring ‘Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald’ to the iHeartPodcast Network and to have two of the funniest friends out there take a nostalgic look back into a show that so many people love,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “Scrubs meant so much to its fans over its nine-season run, and Zach and Donald are allowing us to bring it all back to life with this podcast. Listening to the podcast feels like hanging out with old friends — something everyone needs, especially right now.”

Each week, Braff and Faison will discuss an episode of Scrubs, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and reminiscing on some of their favorite memories from filming. They’ll also connect with Scrubs super fans and feature beloved show cast members for exclusive interviews. Created by Bill Lawrence, Scrubs was set at a fictional teaching hospital called Sacred Heart Hospital and followed intern John "J.D." Dorian as he learned the ways of medicine, friendship, and life. The main cast included Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes. The critically acclaimed show ran for nine years from 2001-2010 on NBC with the final season on ABC. During its run, it earned numerous awards and 17 Emmy Nominations including “Outstanding Comedy Series. The show was known for its profound use of music – from the theme song to its musical episode (season 6) – and the podcast will feature a theme song with music created by Charlie Puth and lyrics written and performed by Braff and Faison themselves.

“Donald and I are thrilled to be teaming with iHeartRadio to produce ‘Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald,’” said Braff. “The idea of gathering our fans all around the world together and revisiting the series episode by episode sounds like so much fun to us. Each week we’ll tell behind the scenes stories, share experiences from our friendship and have lots of special guests. We’ll also be taking live fan questions over the phone. We can’t wait to laugh with our Scrubs family.”

“I am really excited about this. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to talk you all about such an important and amazing time in our lives. Get ready and tune in,” said Faison.

“Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald” premieres today on the iHeartPodcast Network which is home to more than 750 original podcasts with more than 170 million downloads each month. iHeartRadio Original Podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartRadio the largest publisher of podcast content in the world. The platform is also home to the most successful podcast of all time, “Stuff You Should Know” and creator of hits like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Disgraceland” and the “Atlanta Monster” series as well as fosters over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms including the iHeartRadio app, which additionally distributes more than 320,000 shows.

Fans can go to iHeart.com/apps to download and listen to “Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach + Donald” on all their favorite devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions, gaming consoles and more.

Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, Dave Grohl, H.E.R., Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw and More Among All Star Performances

Featuring Special Appearances from Ciara, Demi Lovato Ellen DeGeneres, Ken Jeong, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Melissa McCarthy, Russell Wilson, Ryan Seacrest and More

Fans Can Now Stream the Benefit Special on YouTube

New York, NY – March 30, 2020 – iHeartMedia and FOX brought the biggest names in music together for the benefit special FOX PRESENTS THE IHEART LIVING ROOM CONCERT FOR AMERICA, a music event to provide entertainment relief and support for Americans to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to celebrate the resilience and strength of the nation during this pandemic, live on FOX; on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. Hosted by Elton John, the benefit special featured performances from Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, Dave Grohl, H.E.R., Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw and more, from their own homes.

In addition to music, the hour-long concert also featured inspirational messages from guests and special appearances from Ciara and Russell Wilson, Demi Lovato Ellen DeGeneres, Ken Jeong, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone as well as Ryan Seacrest and more as the benefit special paid tribute to the front line health professionals, first responders and local heroes who are putting their lives in harm’s way to help their neighbors and fight the spread of the virus. The music event also encouraged viewers to support two of the many charitable organizations helping victims and first responders during the panfdemic: Feeding America^® and First Responders Children’s Foundation.

YouTube will stream the “FOX PRESENTS THE IHEART LIVING ROOM CONCERT FOR AMERICA” available NOW through Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on iHeartRadio’s YouTube Channel.  Fans can set up a reminder to #StayHome and #TuneIn to the YouTube stream by visiting: https://youtu.be/7I4ekM6t2XU

The benefit special also included these special moments:

• Elton John hosted the benefit special from his house in Los Angeles and greeted viewers at home with a warm welcome, letting everyone know that “We’re taking care of each other, looking out for each other, doing what we can during this crisis. There’s a lot of grief out there, uncertainty and fear, but let me tell you what’s going to keep us together – all the goodness that’s still happening in the world. Those doctors, nurses and scientists on the front lines – they’re living proof that most superheroes don’t wear capes.” He later closed the show by performing a snippet of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”
• In Los Angeles, Alicia Keys opened the benefit special with a performance of “Underdog,” saying, “This song is like a prayer. I hope that we remember how resilient we are, and how we defy the odds.” She dedicated the song “To all first responders and medical professionals that are risking their life to keep us safe. We’re so grateful.”
• Backstreet Boys performed “I Want It That Way” from five different locations across the country. Kevin Richardson’s kids even made a cameo appearance to perform alongside their dad.
• Ken Jeong made a special appearance to thank Proctor & Gamble for their $500,000 donation to support the communities and families of the people on the frontlines – with FOX agreeing to match the donation.
• Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters performed “My Hero” from Hawaii, and told fans “If you love someone, let them know. If you’re thankful for someone, tell them.”
• Before introducing Billie Eilish, Elton John lightheartedly assured all the parents concerned about homeschooling their kids that Eilish was homeschooled and “…homeschooled kids can grow up to win a bunch of Grammys.” Eilish then performed her hit single, “Bad Guy,” as her brother Finneas played the guitar and sang along.
• At home in Miami, Shawn Mendes made a special appearance and played the guitar during Camila Cabello’s performance of “My Oh My.” Before their acoustic set Camila advised, “The best thing we can do right now is stay at home – in order to protect our loved ones, in order to protect each other, in order to protect the people that are most vulnerable.” Shawn chimed in to say “Thank you so much to all the incredible brave nurses and doctors out there working so hard everyday. We’re thinking about you so much – thank you for everything you’re doing.”
• Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day told fans “…it’s an honor to be playing for everybody right now,” before he performed “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in West Contra Costa, California, while his dogs crashed his set.
• Lady Gaga made a special appearance to check in and make sure everyone is “Finding the time to be kind to yourself and doing whatever you can to maintain your mental health – social distancing isn’t easy, but try to chat with your friends remotely.” She continued, “Move your body, meditate when you can and otherwise find joy however you can. For me I try to find joy every day in a moment of gratitude.”
• Elton John placed a video call to Lizzo in Palm Springs as they both spread messages of positivity during these trying times.
• Tim McGraw performed “Something Like That” poolside in Nashville as his daughter filmed the performance. His band also made appearances from their remote locations to play their guitars and piano.
• Sam Smith performed their single, “How Do You Sleep,” from his bedroom in London and told fans at home, “Music is making me feel a lot better right now.”
• Demi Lovato encouraged fans to support Feeding America^® and First Responders Children’s Foundation. She also shared a message of hope and resilience before performing a snippet of her triumphant song, “Skyscraper.”
• Ellen DeGeneres shared a message of thanks before introducing H.E.R, who performed “Keep Holding On” from her living room in New York and told everyone that “…it’s amazing how I think music can bring us all together, even though we’re all at home.”
• Mariah Carey performed “Always Be My Baby” from her own home studio in New York while accompanied by her pianist and background singers.

Executive producers for FOX PRESENTS THE IHEART LIVING ROOM CONCERT FOR AMERICA are John Sykes and Tom Poleman, for iHeartMedia and Joel Gallen, For Tenth Planet Productions -- who produced the multi-network telethons immediately following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti Earthquake.

About FOX Entertainment

A division of Fox Corporation, FOX Entertainment’s 30-year legacy of innovative, hit programming includes 9-1-1, 9-1-1: LONE STAR, THE MASKED SINGER, LEGO MASTERS, PRODIGAL SON, EMPIRE, LAST MAN STANDING, “24,” “The X-Files” and “American Idol.” Delivering high-quality scripted, non-scripted and live content, FOX Entertainment’s broadcast network airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week, as well as major sports; and is the only major network to post year-over-year growth among viewers during the 2018-2019 broadcast season.