iHeartMedia

NWSL games will be streamed live for the first time via an exclusive brand-new iHeartRadio digital radio station

NEW YORK – May 12, 2021 – iHeartMedia today announced a partnership with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) that will make live game day play-by-play audio streams available for free on an all new iHeartRadio digital NWSL Radio station during the 2021 season. The station will feature two of the biggest league games each week live, with replay available throughout the week leading up to the next live stream. The exclusive deal marks the first live audio partnership in the NWSL’s history.

“As our league continues to grow and attract new audiences, bringing live game audio to fans around the world represents a major next step for the NWSL,” said NWSL Chief Revenue Officer Mitch Poll. “This first-of-its-kind partnership with iHeartRadio has everyone around the league excited for what's to come — we can’t wait to get these game broadcasts underway!”

The new station will kick off this Saturday, May 15 with a live audio stream of the NJ/NY Gotham FC against Houston Dash game at 7 p.m. ET followed by the Orlando Pride against Washington Spirit game on Sunday, May 16 at 6 p.m. ET. Fans nationwide can tune into NWSL Radio on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio app to hear scintillating play-by-play calls featuring the NWSL’s best teams and fiercest rivalries as they happen each week. The full slate of matches to be covered on NWSL Radio can be seen below.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the National Women’s Soccer League to showcase some of soccer’s finest players and games to fans everywhere,” said Jess Jerrick, EVP of Digital Distribution and Platform Partnerships for iHeartMedia. “It’s also an honor to provide our platform and promotional power to help elevate the incredibly talented women in professional sports and their representation in the media landscape, and to be a part of a historic moment for the NWSL as the league’s first-ever live streaming audio partner. We can’t wait to share a season of high-level competition, amazing goals and rousing in-game action with fans.”

The first-ever NWSL Radio will join the iHeartRadio digital platform, which includes the company’s fast-growing podcasting business —the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings — as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio streaming audio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

Fans can visit iHeartRadio.com/apps to download iHeartRadio on their favorite device and listen to NWSL Radio anywhere they are.

About The National Women’s Soccer League

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a ten-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from around the world. The clubs are the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, OL Reign, Racing Louisville FC and Washington Spirit. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association and the United States Soccer Federation.

A Special Early Access Ticket On-Sale Available Exclusively to Capital One Cardholders for 24 Hours Beginning May 18 at 10 a.m. PST

New York, N.Y. – May 12, 2021 – iHeartMedia announced today the return of the annual star-studded iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 17 and 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The evening performance lineup and details for the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival will be announced at a later date.

A special early access ticket on-sale for the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival will be available for 24 hours exclusively to Capital One cardholders on Tuesday, May 18 at 10 a.m. PST through Wednesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. PST via axs.com. In addition, an early access ticket on-sale will be available for 24 hours to the general public Wednesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. PST through Thursday, May 20 at 10 a.m. PST. During this limited sale, tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. All remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public in June, along with a Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale opportunity.

During the Capital One cardholder early access ticket on-sale, cardholders will also have the opportunity to add the Capital One Access Pass on to their ticket purchase. The Capital One Access Pass includes access to an exclusive cardholder event at the iHeartRadio Music Festival with complimentary food and beverage, as well as an experience with an iHeartRadio Music Festival artist.

Since the launch of the first iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2011 the star-studded lineups have featured live performances by superstars including Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino, Coldplay, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Styles, Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, Lorde, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cyrus, Prince, Rihanna, Shawn Mendes, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Taylor Swift, The Killers, The Weeknd, twenty one pilots, U2 and Zac Brown Band.

The iHeartRadio Music Festival will broadcast live for fans via iHeartMedia radio stations throughout the country across more than 150 markets and also will be featured as an exclusive national television broadcast special on The CW Network at a later date.

Proud partners of this year's event include Capital One, The CW, Rohto® Cooling Eye Drops and T-Mobile with more to be announced.

About Capital One

At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them great products, rewards, service, and access to unique and unforgettable experiences they are passionate about. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Learn more at capitalone.com/access.

About The CW Network

THE CW TELEVISION NETWORK, a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS, launched in 2006. The CW is a multiplatform network that broadcasts a six-night 12-hour primetime lineup, Sunday through Friday and streams its ad-supported content, free, without login or authentication on CWTV.com and The CW app which is available on every major OTT platform. In daytime, The CW broadcasts a Monday through Friday afternoon block, and a three-hour Saturday morning kids block. The CW’s digital network, CW Seed, launched in 2013, and offers beloved limited-run series, as well as past seasons of recent fan-favorite television shows. For more information about the network and its programming, visit www.cwtvpr.com.

About T Mobile Arena

T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League expansion team and the city’s first professional sports team. The venue, named the No. 1 venue on Billboard Magazine’s 2018 Arena Power List as well as the “Best New Major Concert Venue” by Pollstar Magazine in 2016, features 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes, complete broadcast facilities, and other specially designed exclusive hospitality offerings and fan amenities destined to create a guest experience second to none. Toshiba Plaza, an adjacent two-acre outdoor entertainment space, features performance stages, a variety of video screens and other interactive content and display areas. Industry-leading architect Populous designed T-Mobile Arena to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for LEED® Gold Certification. T-Mobile Arena is a privately funded joint venture between AEG and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit T-MobileArena.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 Episodes of The Turning: The Sisters Who Left Uncover Never-Before-Told Stories of Forbidden Love and Deep Sacrifice, Beginning May 18

BOSTON, MA –  May 11, 2021 – Thousands of women gave up everything to follow Mother Teresa, joining her storied Catholic order, the Missionaries of Charity. But some found that life inside was not what they’d imagined. Former sisters who worked closely with Mother Teresa describe her bold vision and devotion to charity and prayer. But many – for the first time – also share stories of suffering, forbidden love, abuse, and betrayal.

Now in a new podcast from Rococo Punch and iHeartMedia, THE TURNING: The Sisters Who Left, we learn the stories of the women who made the ultimate sacrifice to join Mother Teresa’s religious congregation, The Missionaries of Charity. Hosted by Erika Lantz, the 10-episode iHeartRadio Original podcast series takes listeners behind the walls of the fiercely private order where sisters took vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and ‘wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor.’  This is where friendships were forbidden and sisters were asked to separate themselves from their families, their past, and the outside world. We hear from one sister who spent significant time alongside “Mother,” and we have a front row seat to her painful decision to break her lifelong vows, ‘disappointing the most admired woman in the world.’ If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it? Can you truly give yourself to God or will your humanity get to you first? What is the line between devotion and cult? 

Produced by Rococo Punch and iHeartMedia, THE TURNING: The Sisters Who Left will launch on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 with new episodes available weekly on iHeartRadio and all major podcast listening platforms. 

THE TURNING: The Sisters Who Left is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.  

About the Host 

Erika Lantz is the host and senior producer of The Turning. Previously, she worked at PRX, WBUR, APM, and Snap Judgment. She co-produced We Share the Same Sky, a narrative series about the Holocaust that HuffPost called one of the top 9 podcasts of 2019. Her work has aired on All Things Considered, Here & Now, and the CBC, among others. Erika taught audio production at the Transom Story Workshop and once led a podcast workshop in Armenia. She aims for musicality and emotional depth in her work, and her reporting has won national awards, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award for feature reporting.

About Rococo Punch

Rococo Punch is an independent podcast production company specializing in exquisite sound design and thoughtful content. Current projects range from investigative journalism to children's programming to interview shows. The team developed some of the most listened-to podcasts, reaching millions of people around the world. Among the shows they helped create include the Modern Love: The Podcast, Last Seen and Servant of Pod. Follow @RococoPunch on Twitter and visit www.rococopunch.com for more information.

The Event Will Also Feature Performances From The Weeknd with Special Guest Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic), Dan + Shay, Doja Cat And More

With Appearances From Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, twenty one pilots, Megan Thee Stallion and More

Chris Martin and Lil Nas X To Present Elton John With The 2021 iHeartRadio Icon Award, Featuring a Special Tribute Performance

NEW YORK – May 11, 2021 – iHeartMedia and FOX announced today that Usher will host and perform during the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards. In addition, the event will feature performances from The Weeknd with special guest Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic), Dan + Shay and Doja Cat, with more to be announced. In addition, the event will feature appearances from Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, twenty one pilots, Megan Thee Stallion, and more. The event will air LIVE from The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Thursday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live / PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The event also will be heard on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.

In addition, the legendary Elton John will receive the 2021 iHeartRadio Icon Award, which will be introduced by Chris Martin and Lil Nas X. The award also will feature a special tribute performance honoring Elton John’s global impact on pop culture, longevity, and continued relevance as a touring and radio force with a loyal fan base worldwide. Elton John is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time. With 1 diamond, 38 platinum or multi-platinum, and 26 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, “Candle in the Wind 1997.” As the recipient of the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Award for ‘Tour of the Year’, his Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour, encompasses 5 continents and over 350 dates, and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. In addition to music, he established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading non-profit HIV/AIDS organizations. Past honorees of the iHeartRadio Icon Award include Bon Jovi.

“I’m excited to be hosting and performing during the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards,” said Usher. “This year’s show includes an incredible lineup of exceptionally talented artists.  It’s going to be a great time!”

Now in its eighth year, the iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2020, while also offering a preview of the upcoming hits of 2021. The show will feature award presentations in multiple categories, live performances from the biggest artists in music, surprise stage moments and will tell the stories of the winning artists’ road to #1.  Since the Awards’ inception in 2013, the show has included live performances and appearances by superstar artists, such as Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Garth Brooks, Rihanna, Halsey, Justin Bieber, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Martin, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Big Sean, Sam Smith, Madonna, Blake Shelton, Pharrell, Pitbull and many others.

Artists receiving multiple nominations include 24kGoldn, AC/DC, AJR, All Time Low, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, blackbear, BLACKPINK, Blake Shelton, BTS, Calibre 50, Cardi B, Charlie Puth, Chris Brown, Christian Nodal, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Drake, Dua Lipa, Future, Gabby Barrett, H.E.R., Harry Styles, J Balvin, Jhené Aiko, JP Saxe, Justin Bieber, KAROL G, Lady Gaga, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Maluma, Maren Morris, Megan Thee Stallion, Ozuna, Ozzy Osbourne, Pop Smoke, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, Shawn Mendes, Snoh Aalegra, Summer Walker, Surf Mesa, Taylor Swift, The Pretty Reckless, The Weeknd, twenty one pilots and Young Thug.

In addition to paying tribute to music and artists, the 2021 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 Best Fan Army, Best Lyrics, Best Cover Song, Best Music Video, the Social Star Award, Favorite Music Video Choreography Award and the first-ever TikTok Bop of the Year Award.

For a full list of categories, visit iHeartRadio.com/awards. Additional categories include Label of the Year, Titanium Song of the Year and Titanium Artist of the Year, and individual winners for Album of the Year in music’s biggest genres, including Pop, Country, Alternative Rock, Rock, Dance, Hip-Hop, R&B, Latin Pop/Reggaeton and Regional Mexican formats. Nominations are based on consumption data, including streaming, album sales, song sales and radio airplay.

Social voting began April 7 and will close on May 19 at 11:59 PM ET for all categories. Fans can vote on Twitter using the appropriate category and nominee hashtags or by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards. 

Proud partners of the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards include Taco Bell®, Dr Pepper Zero Sugar and Rémy Martin with more to be announced.

iHeartRadio and Taco Bell are once again teaming up to celebrate the fans, artists and music that kept us all connected over the past year. Fans can tune in to a memorable moment in the show, compliments of iHeartRadio and Taco Bell.

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, Instagram and Google+.

About FOX Entertainment

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, LAST MAN STANDING, THE SIMPSONS, “Empire,” “24,” “The X-Files” and “American Idol.” Delivering high-quality scripted, non-scripted, animation, live content and major sports, FOX won the 2019-2020 broadcast season for the first time in eight years and was the only major network to post year-over-year growth among Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers. In addition to its broadcast network, FOX Entertainment oversees the operations of FOX Alternative Entertainment, its in-house unscripted studio that produces THE MASKED SINGER, I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE and THE MASKED DANCER, among other series; and the award-winning animation studio Bento Box Entertainment, which produces animated content for FOX, including the Emmy Award-winning hit BOB’S BURGERS and DUNCANVILLE, THE GREAT NORTH and HOUSEBROKEN, as well as programming for other broadcast, streaming and cable platforms.  Tubi, FOX Entertainment’s fast-growing ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) service, features more than 30,000 movies and television series, and news content that’s available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia.

For technologists and moguls in the making, the podcast features insights on how contracts get done, partnerships are formed, and wealth is made and accumulated in technology industries.

NEW YORK – May 10, 2021 – Blavity Inc., the diversified digital media company behind AfroTech, 21Ninety, Travel Noire, Shadow and Act, and Blavity News, has partnered with Charlamagne Tha God’s and iHeartMedia’s The Black Effect Podcast Network to distribute its must-listen podcast for Black entrepreneurs and moguls in the making, “Black Tech Green Money with Will Lucas.” New episodes will launch every Tuesday and listeners can hear all previous episodes now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

“Black Tech Green Money” is hosted by Will Lucas, an entrepreneur, content creator, and the Brand Manager at AfroTech, the world's largest Black tech digital platform and conference. The podcast presents the stories of successful Black entrepreneurs and technologists, as well as actionable advice and wealth-building strategies from a Black perspective.

“Black Tech Green Money is a podcast for us, by us—designed to help us find our path to wealth and legacy in tech,” said Lucas. “With Charlamagne and The Black Effect Podcast Network, we’re set up to reach so many more people all over the world.”

“If we don't get Black people more aware and invested in the tech world, so many of us will get left behind," said Charlamagne Tha God. “‘Black Tech Green Money’ is a game changer. They are translating tech with a cultural fluency for the unique Black experience and revealing where and how best to create pathways to invest in future wealth creation. As a fan of the AfroTech movement and Will Lucas, it's an honor and a privilege to assist and amplify their efforts to educate our people.”

Listen to “Black Tech Green Money with Will Lucas” on iHeartRadio and follow the podcast to be alerted when new episodes are available.

About Blavity Inc.

Blavity Inc. is a venture-funded technology and news media company, founded in 2014 around a simple idea: enable black millennials to tell their own stories. Today, we are home to the largest network of platforms and lifestyle brands serving the multifaceted lives of Black millennials & gen-z through original content, video and unique experiences. The company has grown into a market leader for Black media, reaching over 80 million millennials per month through our growing brand portfolio which includes: Blavity News, 21Ninety, AfroTech, Travel Noire, Shadow & Act, and Lunchtable.

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 most important Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, politics, entertainment, sports and pop culture. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspective and creative vision 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 culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform and empower.

Host Malaya Rivera Drew chronicles the wild anecdotes and escapes of Hollywood’s last great showman, Don Simpson, the producer who created 80s classics such as American Gigolo, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun

NEW YORK – May 7, 2021 – Don Simpson, the producer who created classics such as American Gigolo, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, and Top Gun, left his footprint in the film industry and defined Hollywood in the 80s. “The Don,” a new anthology podcast that delves into the rise and fall of Don Simpson, hosted by actress Malaya Rivera Drew and executive produced by Academy Award winner Will McCormack and David Harris Kline, investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding Don’s fatal overdose and chronicles the sordid cast of drug dealers, Hollywood madams and crooked doctors who may have been complicit in Don’s infamous death. The first six episodes of the 24-episode series will launch on May 11 and can be heard on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard. Listen to the official trailer now.

The anthology podcast mirrors Don’s crash and burn narrative— beginning with Don’s early days fighting to break into the film industry through his meteoric rise as a blockbuster producer into the dark days after the failure of Days of Thunder and his struggles with drugs and alcohol. When Don passed away in January of 1996, the Los Angeles coroner revealed that his corpse was the most toxic in the history of California autopsy with over 22 different pharmaceuticals in his body at the time of death. The podcast delves into the many questions regarding his career and untimely death, such as his controversial relationship with his personal doctor, fitness guru, and indie filmmaking partner, Dr. Stephen Ammerman, who passed away just six months earlier from an overdose in Don’s pool house.

“This new anthology style podcast shows how audio has the ability to paint a picture perfect experience for listeners,” said McCormack. “The powerful use of narration and story-telling sets the scene, allowing listeners to go back in time to the 1980’s, an iconic time in Hollywood for many reasons, but also a defective time. Although Don Simpson was flawed in many ways, this podcast works hard to capture how influential he was and shares his complete story and I think our listeners will appreciate that.”

“We are excited to work with iHeart on a series that is so quintessentially the 1980s,” said Kline. “We all have a soft spot for 80s nostalgia — we love the movies, the music, the fashion, and how earnestly people took themselves back then. There was no irony, no internet, and no social media. The premise of our series is how Don was a rags-to-riches movie producer that shaped and influenced the decade that we all love. However, there was a dark side to Don and his massive influence over mainstream American culture. We peel back the layers, and behind the shallow glamour of the 80s, we find something much darker and more nefarious.”

“As an actress and as a woman of color, I was shocked but not surprised to learn of how virulent and rampant toxic masculinity was in Hollywood back then,” said Rivera Drew. “This podcast is meant to be an entertaining, high octane ride—the rise and fall of a creative genius. Don was, above all else, an entertainer. But we also expose a deep underbelly of Hollywood and the systemic issues that we are still grappling with today.”

The anthology podcast will also explore how Don’s outlandish, alpha-male behavior was not only tolerated in the film business but encouraged by the high-ranking executives who profited greatly off his signature style of filmmaking, leading to one hit after another (American Gigolo, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, Days Of Thunder, Bad Boys) and contributed to him having arguably the greatest run of hit movies in the history of movies. “The Don” will use narration, clips, and fictional re-enactments via “lost tapes,” to take listeners behind the scenes into Hollywood’s decade of decadence, the 1980s.

“The Don” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. Fans can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the podcast on their favorite device.

Premiering on May 13, the audio drama features emerging artists and explores themes of mental health, adolescence, creator culture, and self-identity through a fictional, serialized format 

Emmy-nominated actor Asante Blackk and rising star Daniella Perkins tapped as lead voices 

BOSTON - May 6, 2021 - Leading music podcast company, Double Elvis Productions; iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac; and Def Jam Recordings today announced the premiere of Here Comes the Break, a serialized hip-hop music breaking podcast, launching on May 13. Here Comes the Break fuses a fictional scripted narrative with real artist interviews and exclusive music releases, introducing listeners to some of hip-hop’s most talented emerging artists from Def Jam Recordings’ stellar roster within the fictional story. Listeners can hear the official audio trailer now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard. 

Here Comes the Break stars Emmy-nominated actor Asante Blackk, best known for his roles in When They See Us (Netflix), This is Us (NBC), and Social Distance (Netflix), who is also an executive producer on the show, and rising star Daniella Perkins. Perkins is also a producer on the show and Nickelodeon’s first multi-racial princess starring as Ciara in Knight Squad with past credits including co-hosting Drop That Seat with Kida The Great from executive producer Nick Cannon and the animated miniseries Middle School Moguls. 

The podcast series explores life and music through the mind of Ruben (voiced by Blackk), a young creator hustling to find an audience, and to find himself. Ruben is an avid hip-hop fan growing up in the suburbs of NYC, struggling with family pressure and anxiety issues. With the help of his friends, he anonymously launches a podcast that goes viral and quickly finds his voice as an interviewer and host. Ruben’s podcast also becomes a must stop for emerging hip hop artists to be interviewed and within the fictional story, will feature and promote Def Jam artists. A groundbreaking podcast about self-identity, creator culture, family, and friendships, the show aims to entertain, while raising awareness about mental health to its listeners.

"My whole life I've had a passion for acting, music, and helping people be their best selves,” said Asante Blackk. “My new podcast, Here Comes The Break, was the perfect opportunity to blend all three, and I can't wait to share it with everybody. The show brings together music and media in a way that's new and exciting, while also sparking positive conversations around mental health and self-expression through art. Here Comes The Break tackles those crazy, sad, stagnant, and beautiful moments we all have growing up as teens and young adults. I hope you'll tune in and hop on for a wild ride."

The series represents a new wave of artist promotion for record labels and a pioneering approach to artist discovery for fans rooted in unique musician interaction. Social media has fostered a closer connection between artist and listener, with fans craving deeper interaction and relation with artists. The convergence between podcasting and artist promotion in Here Comes the Break allows fans to get to know artists on a deeper level, providing a format for the artists to communicate who they are, what they stand for, and to be vulnerable, all within the same vehicle that introduces listeners to their new music. The intimacy of podcasting combined with the power of music and storytelling provides a unique platform for Here Comes the Break to foster the connection fans crave along with new music discovery. 

With new episodes dropping every Thursday beginning May 13th, each of the ten Here Comes the Break episodes will feature an interview with one emerging Def Jam artist and exclusively premiere one of their songs, with a full soundtrack on Def Jam to follow featuring music from all artists in the series. Artists featured in the first season include:  Nevaeh Jolie, Masio Gunz, Ohno, Stephen Moses, LA the GOAT, Saint Bodhi, Bino Rideaux, Nasty C, Bobby Sessions, and Oompa. 

“The convergence of podcasting and the music business is opening up new avenues of exposure for artists, and innovations for creators,” said Brady Sadler, co-founder of Double Elvis. “Music is at the core of all our content and partnering with iHeartRadio and Def Jam on this series allows us to introduce our audience of music fans to an emerging generation of new talent and explore opportunities for music discovery and promotion, all while chronicling important topics like mental health and self-expression through storytelling.”

“We are always seeking to find innovative ways to connect our artists with fans. This groundbreaking partnership offers a unique approach to music discovery, through not only scripted narratives but exclusive music premieres and artist interviews in an emerging and exciting new medium,” said Rich Isaacson, GM/EVP of Def Jam Recordings.

“iHeartRadio is built on the foundation of music discovery and connecting fans to new artists they will love. It’s energizing to be able to fuse this core into a podcast by teaming up with Def Jam and Double Elvis Productions to launch ‘Here Comes The Break.’ I’ve loved watching our teams develop a concept that bridges podcasting and music for a unique storytelling experience,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. "This podcast is a relatable coming-of-age tale that brilliantly combines real artists, their personal stories, new and emerging music, and a sense of vulnerability in each episode. I think our audiences will embrace it.”

Here Comes The Break is the latest podcast combining music and storytelling from Double Elvis, the music-focused, audio-first media company led by Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan, creator of  Disgraceland, the #1 most downloaded music podcast according to Podtrac, 27 Club, and Blood On The Tracks. Here Comes the Break will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network, leveraging their industry-leading podcast network, proven podcast-to-broadcast promotional strategy, digital platforms, and radio personalities. The show will be available on iHeartRadio and wherever you listen to podcasts on May 13, and you can check out the trailer today, here. 

To learn more about Here Comes the Break, visit Double Elvis.  

 Double Elvis is represented by Oren Rosenbaum at UTA.

About DOUBLE ELVIS PRODUCTIONS

Double Elvis is a music-focused entertainment company rooted in podcasting. Co-founded by Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan, creator & host of the podcasts “Disgraceland” (#1 most downloaded music podcast), “27 Club” and “Blood On The Tracks,” the company specializes in storytelling about music and aims to provide a platform for artists and a destination for music fans. In 2020 Double Elvis also released the critically acclaimed coming-of-age music memoir, “Dear Young Rocker,” scripted narrative anthology series bringing to light the stories of women who inspired some of the most celebrated and enduring music of the modern age, “About A Girl,” and the true crime podcast about the Grateful Dead and their missing and murdered fans, “Dead and Gone.”

About Def Jam Recordings

Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has represented the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years. Def Jam began as a maverick independent label inspired by downtown New York City’s vibrant street culture and the emerging sound of hip-hop, pioneered by iconic stars like LL Cool J, Slick Rick, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Over the following two decades, Def Jam established its dominance with superstar acts like Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man & Redman, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jeezy, and the inimitable Kanye West. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand – synonymous with creativity, quality and authenticity – encompassing a diverse roster of marquee and emerging stars like West, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Logic, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Vince Staples, Jeremih, Big Sean, YG, 2 Chainz, Dave East, and Jhene Aiko, among others. Today, Def Jam has reaffirmed its passion for and commitment to hip-hop culture, and has expanded its global brand reach to become the most-followed major label on all major social media platforms.

New Private Programmatic Marketplace Offers Advertisers Access to Premium Audiences at Scale Across iHeartMedia’s Vast Catalog of Podcasts

NEW YORK – May 5, 2021 – iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) today announced the launch of a new, first-of-its-kind Private Marketplace. The new Private Marketplace will provide advertisers with programmatic buying access to distribute their marketing to audiences across the most diverse and comprehensive library of shows in the world from the iHeartPodcast Network - the No. 1 podcast publisher globally - which has more than 30 million US monthly uniques and 257 million global downloads and streams.

This new technology allows brand advertisers to create their own unique, tailored marketplaces – composed of their specific audience targets and pricing, to dial up and down across each year as their marketing needs require – across iHeart’s mass reach podcast network, the largest in the world. With this new technology developed through iHeartMedia’s recently acquired Voxnest, advertisers will gain private access to target iHeartMedia’s unparalleled and diverse podcast library by content, geography and consumer psychographics. The iHeartPodcast Network includes hundreds of iHeartRadio original podcasts spanning every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime including the most successful podcast of all time, “Stuff You Should Know,” and hits like “The Ron Burgundy Podcast” and the “Atlanta Monster'' series as well as over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “Bobbycast” and “The Breakfast Club” on-demand podcasts.

“We acquired Voxnest last Fall with the plan to be able to provide podcast advertisers with additional targetable inventory at scale by allowing the effective and efficient monetization across an entire range of podcast inventory. Voxnest connects all of the fragmented platforms that exist in podcasting - the launch of this Private Marketplace is a huge milestone in the podcast industry and advances these capabilities to buyers,” said Brian Kaminsky, Chief Data Officer and President of Revenue Strategies for iHeartMedia. “Our podcasts attract some of the most engaged and passionate podcast listeners in the world and now advertisers will have massive scale and highly specific targeting at their fingertips, to reach these hundreds of millions of listeners who are now consuming podcasts.”

With this new Private Marketplace, advertisers will have the ability to reach their specific audience based on three specialized targeting options:

• Category -- Allows brands to advertise across the iHeartPodcast Network’s diverse and comprehensive network of shows and includes categories such as Business & Finance, TV & Film, History, True Crime, Society & Culture, Music, Sports, Health & Fitness, Comedy, Science & Tech, Parenting & Family and News & Citizenship.
• Geolocation -- Allows brands to tap into the iHeartPodcast Network’s massive audience to deliver relevant messaging to a specific region within a premium podcast environment.
• Psychographic -- Uses a suite of data-driven Psychographic Podcast Networks, enabling brands to buy across a set of shows that speak to specific consumer behaviors like the conqueror, explorer, legend, cultivator, decider, thriver, rising star, advocate, backer and intrepid.

iHeartMedia’s Private Marketplace will offer advertisers multiple deal types including Programmatic Guaranteed (PG), Preferred Deal (PD), Private Auction (PA) and Open Marketplace (OMP). Buyers interested can email ProgrammaticAdOps@iHeartMedia.com.

In “Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi,” the esteemed writer and scholar dissects the policies that contribute to racial inequity and injustice, and proposes policies and platforms that can lead us toward an antiracist future

NEW YORK – May 3, 2021 –  iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Pushkin Industries, the audio production company co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg, today announced a new co-produced iHeartRadio Original Podcast “Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi.” The new thought-provoking podcast will be hosted by Ibram X. Kendi — one of America’s foremost historians and Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. Dr Kendi’s books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller How to Be an Antiracist, have become seminal texts on the myths of a post-racial America. The show’s first episode will premiere on June 9.

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi,” is a weekly interview show that will build on his extensive body of antiracist work, challenging listeners to consider what an antiracist society might look like and how individuals and communities can play an active role in building it. For ten episodes Kendi will be joined by notable guests from the worlds of politics, academia, journalism and beyond to discuss the antiracist policies, platforms and narratives human beings should rally around to build a just and equitable world.

“After a year that laid bare the pervasive racial inequity that continues to plague our nation, we must continue the difficult but necessary conversations that will allow us to imagine and erect a truly antiracist society,” said Ibram X. Kendi. “I look forward to exploring these topics with guests whose work I deeply admire and digging deep with them and with listeners.”

“‘Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi’ will bring Dr. Kendi’s essential insights to millions of listeners around the world,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “The show speaks to many of the deeply-rooted issues the past year has brought to light and enables listeners to benefit from the perspectives of some truly unparalleled guests.”

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi” is the first co-produced show in the expansive slate of podcasts that will join the iHeartPodcast Network as part of the two-year co-production and distribution partnership between iHeartMedia and Pushkin Industries announced last November.

"Over the past few years, Ibram X. Kendi has emerged as America's most influential thinker on race, racism, and anti-racism,” said Pushkin Industries CEO Jacob Weisberg. “Pushkin is thrilled to help Dr. Kendi expand the conversation his books have ignited. We hope the show will empower listeners to effect change in their own communities and beyond."  

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi” will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network to all podcast platforms starting on June 9. Fans can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the official trailer on their favorite device.

About Ibram X. Kendi

Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News contributor. He is the author of many books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and four #1 New York Times bestsellers, How to Be an Antiracist; Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored with Jason Reynolds; Antiracist Baby, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky; and Four Hundred Souls: A Community history of African America, 1619-2019, edited with Keisha N. Blain. In 2020, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

About Pushkin Industries

Pushkin Industries is an audio production company dedicated to creating premium content in a collaborative environment. Co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018, Pushkin has launched seven new shows into the top 10 on Apple Podcasts (Against the Rules, The Happiness Lab, Solvable, Cautionary Tales, Deep Cover, The Last Archive, and Lost Hills), in addition to producing the hugely successful Revisionist History. Pushkin’s growing audiobook catalogue includes the bestselling biography “Fauci,” by Michael Specter and “The Bomber Mafia” by Malcolm Gladwell. Pushkin is dedicated to producing audio in any format that challenges listeners and inspires curiosity and joy. For more information visit pushkin.fm or follow us on Twitter @pushkinpods.

The Event Will Stream on iHeartRadio’s Social Channels and PrideRadio.com, and Broadcast Across iHeartMedia Radio Stations Nationwide and on the iHeartRadio App

WHAT:           This June, P&G and iHeartMedia will once again join forces during Pride Month for the return of “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community featuring performances and appearances from the most influential voices in the community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment. The second annual event will demonstrate that nothing can cancel the heart of Pride and the spirit of the LGBTQ+ equality movement by focusing on intersectionality and the issues that continue to impact the LGBTQ+ community in 2021, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

                      This year, “Can’t Cancel Pride” will again partner with The Greater Cincinnati Foundation to administer and distribute financial support raised by the event to LGBTQ+ organizations with a track record of positive impact and support of the LGBTQ+ community, including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink and OutRight Action International. Stay tuned for full details and lineup announcement for the 2021 “Can’t Cancel Pride” in the coming weeks.

WHEN:          “Can’t Cancel Pride” will return on June 4 at 9 p.m. local time. The event will be available on demand throughout Pride Month until Thursday, June 30.

WHERE:        The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app on June 4 at 9 p.m. local time.

MORE:          In 2020, the first-ever “Can’t Cancel Pride: A COVID-19 Relief Benefit for the LGBTQ+ Community” took place on June 25. The virtual relief benefit helped raise visibility and funds for LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19; the pandemic had a damaging effect on the fund-raising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive. It has also closed community centers, prevented support groups to meet in person and has had an adverse effect on a number of industries in which so many LGBTQ+ people make their living. Partnering with six organizations with a long track-record in creating positive change within the community, “Can’t Cancel Pride” raised over $4 MILLION with true authenticity and life-saving impact. Hosted by Elvis Duran and Laverne Cox, the one-hour benefit special brought together the most influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment with performances by Adam Lambert, Ben Platt, Big Freedia with Tank and the Bangas, Katy Perry, Kim Petras, Melissa Etheridge, Sia, Ricky Martin and Carla Morrison, as well as John Cameron Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris, Darren Criss, Andrew Rannells and more.

                       In addition to music, “Can’t Cancel Pride” also featured special appearances from Billy Porter, Bebe Rexha, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan Levy, Hayley Kiyoko, Kermit The Frog, Lena Waithe, Matt Bomer, Nico Tortorella, Peppermint, Tituss Burgess and more.