iHeartRadio Announces “Welcome to Our Show,” A “New Girl” Rewatch Podcast Hosted by Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone and Lamorne Morris

The podcast premieres on January 24 with new episodes releasing Mondays

Listen to the official trailer HERE

NEW YORK -- January 13, 2022 -- iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the launch of “Welcome to Our Show”, a ‘New Girl’ rewatch podcast, hosted by the show’s stars Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone and Lamorne Morris. Every Monday, listeners will hear from the funny friends, who called the ‘New Girl’ set home for seven incredible seasons. Together, the trio will rewatch the Emmy-nominated series to reveal never-before-told stories, their favorite memories from creating the show and divulge moments and scenes left on the cutting room floor. The first episode of “Welcome to Our Show” will be available on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms beginning Monday, January 24th. Listen to the official trailer now, HERE.

“‘Welcome to Our Show’ will bring listeners the same hilarious and warm-hearted energy that ‘New Girl’ originally brought to its audience just over 10 years ago,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, iHeartPodcast Network. “It was simply one of the funniest and most relatable shows in recent decades and we’re excited to have Zooey, Hannah and Lamorne join the iHeartRadio family to relive the show’s best moments and leave us nostalgic for another laugh in the loft.”

In each episode, Zooey, Hannah and Lamorne will also play a unique version of the show’s popular game, True American, with made up rules, lots of confusion and loads of laughter. The crew will invite fan favorite cast members, guest stars, producers, writers and more to dissect and dish on a selected episode.

“I am overjoyed to work again with two of my favorite people, Lamorne and Hannah, and to get to relive some of our favorite moments from the seven years we worked on ‘New Girl,’” said Zooey.

“The fans have been flooding my inbox and timelines with requests for behind the scenes intel. Well, here we go!” said Lamorne. “We’re so pumped that iHeart is giving us this platform to connect with our fans. So dope. All of their questions will be answered….and we also tell weird stories.”

“New Girl fans have a lot of questions about everything from the actual rules of True American to ping pong etiquette with Prince,” said Hannah. “Zooey, Lamorne and I have missed each other so much, and I’m so excited that we’ve created a show where we can finally answer those questions and share so many untold crazy ‘New Girl' stories that happened while we made the show!”

“Welcome to Our Show” is distributed by The iHeartPodcast Network and available everywhere podcasts are heard. Follow the show HERE to be alerted when new episodes post.

Editor’s Note:

Podcast cover art is available for download HERE. Use the below embed code to include the podcast audio player in your article.

EMBED CODE:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-welcome-to-our-show-91519104/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

About the Hosts:

Zooey Deschanel (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

Hannah Simone (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

Lamorne Morris (Bio HERE / Headshot HERE)

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BIN: Black Information Network Wins 2022 BIG Innovation Award

NEW YORK—January 11, 2022— BIN: Black Information Network announced today that it has been named a winner in the 2022 BIG Innovation Awards presented by the Business Intelligence Group. BIN: Black Information was honored in the Media category.

BIN: Black Information Network is the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news network dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news with a Black voice and perspective. BIN launched in June 2020 as the first-of-its-kind 24/7 national and local all-news audio network. BIN is focused on service to the Black community and providing an information window for those outside the community to help foster communication, accountability and a deeper understanding. Since its launch, BIN has quickly expanded to 32 affiliate markets and can currently be heard in Atlanta, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and many more. BIN is also distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices. 

“Innovation is driving growth in the global economy,” said Maria Jimenez, Chief Operating Officer of the Business Intelligence Group. “We are thrilled to be honoring Black Information Network as they are one of the organizations leading this charge and helping humanity progress.” 

“Innovation has been one of BIN’s core values since our inception,” said Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network. “It drives us to keep growing and creating spaces for the Black community to hear and contribute to the news that matters most to them. It’s an honor to be recognized with an incredible lineup of organizations and individuals who share the value of innovation and prove it in their work every day.” 

Organizations from across the globe submitted their recent innovations for consideration in the BIG Innovation Awards. Nominations were then judged by a select group of business leaders and executives who volunteer their time and expertise to score submissions. 

About BIN: Black Information Network 

BIN: Black Information Network is the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. BIN is enabled by the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia and the support of its Founding Partners: Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe’s, McDonald’s USA, Sony, 23andMe and Verizon. BIN is focused on service to the Black community to help foster communication, accountability and deeper understanding. 

About Business Intelligence Group

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization’s proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

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iHeartMedia Plans To Expand Into The Metaverse

Web3 and the Metaverse Are Newest Consumer Platforms for iHeartMedia; Company Will Also Build A Tokenized Community With Special Access to iHeart Events, Influencers And NFTs

New York, NY – January 12, 2022 -- iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America, announced today an important next step in extending its presence into web3 and the metaverse, beginning with plans for the creation of iHeart events and experiences for listeners and music fans on Roblox (NYSE: RBLX), a global platform bringing millions of people together through shared experiences, and committing to launch tokenized communities for its users and creators. iHeart will also use its industry-leading consumer reach of over 90% of Americans every month and strong engagement to create the awareness and demand necessary to bring new metaverse and web3 platforms to the mass market.

“Although there are a number of great new products for the metaverse and web3 from a wide array of creators, with our unparalleled audience reach, multiple platforms, and our trusted broadcast and podcast hosts, iHeartMedia is uniquely positioned to build the consumer awareness, understanding and demand necessary for those new products and platforms from both us and others to succeed,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “We see this as a unique opportunity to serve our listeners’ needs, provide an important new layer of growth for the company, and help develop the advertising and consumer potential for the metaverse and web3.”

As part of this overall strategy, in 2022 iHeartMedia plans to bring immersive musical moments to the over 47M daily active users on the Roblox platform and launch its first tokenized community, building a new token that will incentivize and reward the iHeart creator community in new ways and give iHeart’s fans unique access to offerings across its multiple platforms, and a series of collectible non-fungible tokens (NFTs), building on the success of its previously launched iHeartRadio Music Festival NFTs in partnership with Green NFT platform OneOf in September 2021.

“In the same way in which we believed in and committed to digital radio and podcasting – and became the strong number one in both -- we are big believers in the incredible potential of web3,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “We have already stepped into the metaverse with NFTs and have much more to come. iHeart’s place in this ecosystem -- giving fans extraordinary access to the special events and influencers we provide every day of the year -- is what we’re focused on building out as we work with key partners and develop an easy-to-use ramp to the metaverse and web3 for the mass market.”

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Iconic MTV Personality and iHeartMedia On Air Talent Martha Quinn To Host “The Martha Quinn Show”

New Midday Show to Launch January 10 Across 35+ iHeartMedia Stations in San Francisco, Seattle, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, St. Louis and More

NEW YORK -- December 23, 2021 – iHeartMedia announced today that radio and entertainment icon Martha Quinn will host “The Martha Quinn Show,” a new midday show launching January 10 that will broadcast across more than 35 iHeartMedia stations, including stations in San Francisco, Seattle, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, St. Louis and more.

“The Martha Quinn Show” will feature original MTV VJ Martha Quinn bringing her signature positivity and her love of all things music to listeners every weekday.  It will include her daily benchmark features like Martha’s Mixtape, Totally Awesome News, Martha’s Wellness Shot, and more. Her show will also showcase much of the music that she introduced to the world as an original MTV VJ.

“Martha has such a genuine and uplifting personality and she constantly brings excitement and positivity to listeners,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer and President of the National Programming Group for iHeartMedia. “She has an unmatched ability to connect with her audience, not to mention an amazing playlist filled with the songs she helped make famous through the years. We know that listeners across the country will fall in love with Martha Quinn, just as audiences everywhere have for decades.” 

“For over five years, I’ve been bowled over by the passion and support of our San Francisco listeners,” said Quinn. “And now I get to bond with music fans all across the country, what an honor! A million thanks to the awesome team at iHeartMedia.”

Martha Quinn, weeks after graduating New York University, was chosen to be one of the world’s first MTV VJ’s in July of 1981. As an interviewer, Martha sat opposite music’s biggest stars including Paul McCartney, Prince, Cher and Van Halen. With Martha, you hear stories about the music you cannot hear from anyone else. Martha includes her listeners in her list of superstars she looks forward to connecting with. Martha joined iHeartMedia in 2016 as the host of The Martha Quinn Morning Show on KOSF in San Francisco. Every day she and her listeners relive the MTV years, and Martha makes it her mission to continue the good vibes of the music with the content she shares.

 

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New Podcast From AYR Media And iHeartRadio Investigates Brutal Murder Of St. Louis Mother Joann Tate; Spotlights Suspects And An Alleged Wrongful Conviction

“The Real Killer” Premieres Thursday, December 16 on iHeartRadio and All Podcasting Platforms

LOS ANGELES – (December 15, 2021) – Aliza Rosen’s AYR Media (iHeartRadio’s Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress, Audible’s Bitter Blood: Kasem vs. Kasem) and iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally as per podtrac, have partnered to launch The Real Killer. Host Leah Rothman, a Daytime Emmy-nominated producer, writer and director (Crime Watch Daily) brings listeners along as she investigates one of the most gruesome crimes in Missouri history; a case that baffled law enforcement and resulted in a St. Louis man being sentenced to life in prison. Now, almost 40 years later, as new evidence emerges, the question remains… who is the real killer?

The first two episodes of The Real Killer premieres on Thursday, December 16, with new episodes dropping weekly, every Thursday on iHeartRadio and all major podcasting platforms. The 11-episode series is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network; it’s executive produced by Rothman and Rosen (who previously collaborated to produce The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror).

In 1982, seven-year-old Melissa Davis woke in the middle of the night to find her mother, JoAnn Tate, murdered. The murderer, still in the house, then attacked and nearly killed Melissa and her four-year-old sister, Renee. When police interrogated the traumatized child, Melissa eventually identified one of her mother’s former boyfriends as the killer. That man was later arrested, convicted and sentenced to two life terms in prison.

Decades later, Melissa realized she may have put the wrong man behind bars.

The Real Killer analyzes this twisted tale, from its gruesome beginnings to the imprisonment of a potentially innocent man, featuring first-hand accounts from Melissa, the man convicted and those closest to the case – including other family members, a juror from the murder trial, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, renowned defense attorney Sean O’Brien and, for the first time ever, an inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility who may be the actual culprit. Rothman provides listeners with an intimate look at what many believe to be justice gone awry, and her pursuit to find the real killer.

“This story is more than a true crime mystery – it highlights a case that has gone decades without resolution and exposes major flaws within our justice system,” said Rosen. “JoAnn Tate’s murder investigation and theeventual trial is riddled with missed details, neglected evidence and coercion. We’re pleased to partner again with Leah and with iHeart on this podcast that reopens the case and allows those involved to share their story – many for the first time.”

“I’ve covered and investigated a number of incredibly heinous crimes over the years, but I just haven’t been able to shake this one,” said Rothman. “I’ve long contemplated the best way to tell this story, and teaming with Aliza and AYR on this podcast has given me the opportunity to dive deeper into this case than I ever could have imagined.”

About AYR Media

AYR Media is a full-service production company focused on premium unscripted and documentary content, encompassing podcasts, television and film. Founded in 2019 by veteran producer and development executive Aliza Rosen, AYR podcasts include iHeartRadio’s Queen of theCon: The Irish Heiress and upcoming true-crime thriller The Real Killer, as well as Bitter Blood: Kasem vs. Kasem, The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror and The Murder of Robert Wone, all for Audible, among numerous other series set to launch in 2022. Other AYR projects include additional series for both Audible and iHeart Media, as well as other IP currently in development for television and streaming. For more information, please visit AYR Media’s website.

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iHeartRadio Original Docu-Style Podcast “Was I In A Cult?” Surpasses 1 Million Downloads in First Two Months

The New Series Puts a Light Touch on a Heavy Subject with Firsthand Accounts of Survivorship, Hosted by Survivors Themselves

Listen to the podcast HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 14, 2021 – Tyler Measom, award-winning documentarian and director of Netflix’s hit series, Murder Among The Mormons, and Liz Iacuzzi, writer and comedian, announced today that their new weekly docu-style iHeartRadio original podcast series “Was I In A Cult?” has reached over one million downloads in the first two months. The binge-worthy show explores real-life stories of survivorship told firsthand by individuals who unwittingly found themselves in a cult, and ultimately successfully escaped.

Each episode features a different guest who shares their journey with Measom and Iacuzzi - both cult survivors themselves. A takeoff from the traditionally dark cult narrative, “Was I In A Cult?” weaves Measom’s documentary storytelling background with Iacuzzi’s introspective comedy chops resulting in a show that brings levity to a sobering subject in order to humanize the cultic experience. The podcast chronicles each guests personal journey from cult victim to thriving survivor with dramatic, sometimes comedic, inspirationally empowering stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

“The retelling of a cult experience can often be so darkly serious, because of course cults are incredibly dark and serious, but it almost becomes somewhat of an illusive anecdote - like it’s something that could never happen to you,” says Iacuzzi. “We want to bring this topic back down to earth with insightful interviews and a good dose of humor to create a more approachable conversation surrounding cults.”

Season One has a 20-episode slate and welcomes cult survivors from both well-known and lesser-known cults, including: Mormonism, NXIVM, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Children of God, The Mel Lyman Family, Apostolic Brethren, The Black Israelites, Enthusiastic Sobriety, family cults, MLM cults, and more. Hosts Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi also share their personal cult experiences - 24 years in the Mormon church for Measom, and a dangerously dogmatic acting class in Los Angeles for Iacuzzi.

“No one ever signs up for a cult, but almost everyone is vulnerable enough to be manipulated into joining one because it generally starts with love and acceptance - something we all strive for,” says Measom. “While our show digs into a wide variety of cults, we always see this common thread woven into the tapestry of abuse. It may even leave some or our audience members asking themselves, ‘wait...was I in a cult?’”

Was I In A Cult?” is available now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.

Use the below html code to embed the audio player directly into your story or website:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/ 1119-was-i-in-a-cult-86443370/?embed=true" frameborder=“0"></iframe>

Click here to download approved host headshots, biographies and cover art for the podcast. 

About "Was I In A Cult?"

Hosted by filmmaker Tyler Measom and comedian/writer Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult. Told first-hand by the experiencer themself, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave listeners asking themselves...“Wait... Was I In A Cult?”

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 250 million people each month. It is number one in broadcast and streaming radio as well as podcasting and audio ad tech, and includes three segments: The iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group; the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group; and the Audio and Media Services Group. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

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iHeartMedia And The CW Announce New Multi-Year Exclusive Broadcast And Streaming Agreement For The ‘iHeartRadio Music Festival’ And ‘iHeartRadio Jingle Ball’

With New Agreement Kicking Off in 2022, Long-Running Partnership Extends Into Second Decade

The CW Closes Out This Year with The Exclusive Broadcast of the “2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One” Tonight with Performances by Ed Sheeran, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Saweetie, AJR and more 

December 15, 2021 (New York, NY) – iHeartMedia and The CW announced today a new multi-year agreement for The CW to remain the exclusive television broadcast and video streaming partner for both the star-studded two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival and the annual holiday iHeartRadio Jingle Ball event. The CW and iHeartMedia have been partners on these events since 2012. 

“The CW is thrilled to continue our partnership with iHeartMedia to bring today's most dynamic performers and groundbreaking artists directly to fans and viewers,” said Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and CEO, The CW Network. “As we enter into a new decade of collaboration, The CW is looking forward to serving as the exclusive TV broadcast and video streaming partner of both of these can't-miss events for years to come.”

“From the beginning, we have been attracted to The CW’s young audience reach, and this new agreement will extend our partnership with the Network into a second decade,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “Each year, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour attract the biggest superstars in music, and this partnership extends the reach of these iconic events into to the homes of millions of viewers around the country.” 

Since their inception, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball have featured performances from over 400 artists including Paul McCartney, Jay Z, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Drake, U2, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Rihanna, Keith Urban, Fleetwood Mac, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Billie Eilish, Luke Bryan, Usher, The Weeknd, Journey and Olivia Rodrigo. 

The national 2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour across 10 U.S. cities will culminate with The CW Network’s television special on Wednesday, December 15 at 8 p.m. EST/PST featuring performances from Ed Sheeran, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Saweetie, AJR and more, as well as a special appearance from Jimmy Fallon and more. The special will re-air on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 at 8 p.m. EST/PST.

More information about the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, including dates and performance line-ups, will be announced at a later date.

About The CW:

THE CW TELEVISION NETWORK launched in 2006 as America’s fifth broadcast network, with programming targeting younger viewers, a demographic highly sought after by advertisers. The CW, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, now broadcasts across the week, offering fourteen-hours of primetime programming, Monday through Sunday, beginning in Fall 2021. The CW’s primetime programming is also available to stream for free, without authentication, on the ad-supported CWTV.com and The CW app, now available on every major OTT platform. Additionally, The CW broadcasts a three-hour Saturday morning kids block. The CW’s digital network CW Seed launched in 2013 and offers original short-form digital content as well as past seasons of fan-favorite television series. For more information about the network and its programming, visit www.cwtvpr.com.

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iHeartMedia Names Don Martin Executive Vice President Of Programming For iHeartMedia Sports

LOS ANGELES – December 15, 2021 – iHeartMedia announced today that Don Martin has been named Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Sports, effective immediately. 

iHeartMedia Sports is the largest sports audio network in the U.S., with products across broadcast, streaming, digital, podcast and experiential. The portfolio includes the iHeartSports Network, which provides customized local, regional and national sports content and updates across more than 490 stations, reaching more than 75 million people monthly; the Fox Sports Network which features the largest nationally syndicated shows on more than 600 stations with the biggest names in the industry like Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd; and 78 dedicated sports stations nationwide with 150+ NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA teams. Additionally, it features the iHeartPodcast Network, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, with more than 40 national and 100 local sports podcasts and 11 of the top 30 most listened to sports podcasts -- plus exclusive podcast agreements with the NFL and NBA.

In his new role, Martin will lead Sports radio operations and oversee recruiting for on-air talent, program directors and board operators for the iHeartMedia Markets Group and Premiere Networks. In addition, Martin will identify opportunities to expand iHeartMedia Sports partnerships – including leagues, teams, podcasting and broadcast. He will continue to oversee the programming, promotions, operations and sales for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Chargers, UCLA and others. Martin will also continue his operational, programming and sales responsibilities for KLAC-AM/Los Angeles.

“The iHeartMedia Sports Network would not be what it is today without Don’s years of experience and innovation,” said Kevin LeGrett, President of iHeartMedia Sports and iHeartMedia Los Angeles. “He is the perfect choice to lead our ever-expanding network, bringing us the most exciting new partnerships and team members.” 

“In life, you are only as good as the family around you,” said Martin. “I have had the privilege of working with three of the most incredible families in the business – from KOA in Denver to AM 570 and FOX Sports Radio in LA, and now the family just gets bigger! Thank you, Greg Ashlock, Kevin LeGrett, Julie Talbott, and Tom Poleman for your belief and trust in me. I am a blessed man!”

A 26-year veteran of iHeartMedia, Martin most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming for FOX Sports Radio and Senior Vice President of KLAC-AM/Los Angeles. Previously, Martin oversaw the merger of AM 690/1150 and was responsible for moving XTRA Sports 690/1150 to 570. Martin also served as Program Director of 850 KOA/Denver. Under his supervision, the station was recognized with Marconi Awards and was named “Station of the Year” five years in a row by the NAB. 

 

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Bamfer Productions and iHeartMedia Explore The Vast Reaches Of Outer Space In New Fiction Podcast “Magmell”

ATLANTA - December 6, 2021 – Bamfer Productions and iHeartMedia, the No.1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the upcoming launch of “Magmell,” a new iHeartRadio Original Podcast created by Jeff Heimbuch and Lyndsie Scoggin, the team behind the smash-hit thriller, “Light House” – a chart-topping fictional podcast for two years running. The first episode of “Magmell” will debut December 13, with subsequent episodes airing every Monday for the duration of its ten episodes. “Magmell” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and can be heard on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are available. Listeners can hear the official trailer now – here.

The podcast follows Captain Cydney Owens and Captain Jana Prescott, as they embark on an important scientific mission aboard the USS Magmell. Along with Proteus, the on-board AI, their mission is to visit the Helix Nebula and study it up close to widen our knowledge of outer space. However, their mission takes a turn when an anomaly throws the ship off-course, stranding them trillions of miles from Earth with no way home. Will they be able to return to their loved ones? Why do they both seem to remember things that never happened? And just what else is lurking in the cold, dark reaches of outer space, waiting for them?

Throughout its ten episodes, “Magmell” will answer these questions, and take you on the sci-fi horror thrill ride you’ve been waiting for. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long, making it the perfect, bite-sized, weekly escape from everyday life.

“I’ve been obsessed with space travel since I was a kid, especially with how little we know about what’s out there,” said writer / director Jeff Heimbuch. “Something about the vast isolation of it terrifies me, especially with what could be lurking out there.”

“I have been a fan of sci-fi since I was a kid, so getting a front-row seat to watch this podcast develop and unfold has been a delight,” said Holly Frey, Managing Executive Producer for The iHeartPodcast Network. “Jeff and his team have outdone themselves in bringing an original, tense and deeply compelling story to life, one that’s anchored in a premise of space travel, but is really about human connection.”

Follow “Magmell” today on iHeartRadio, the iHeartRadio app and anywhere else podcasts are available.

About Bamfer Productions

Bamfer Productions has been producing entertainment from coast to coast in various forms for over 15 years. From films to live entertainment to podcasting, they have done it all. They also produce the long-running fiction podcast, Return Home, which just reached six million downloads, and recently worked with iHeartMedia to produce the hit thriller fiction podcast, Light House.

 

 

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Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment Launches New Audio Division With Exclusive Slate Podcast Deal With iHeartMedia

Los Angeles, December 6, 2021 – Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard announced the launch of their new podcast division, Imagine Audio, fueled by an exclusive slate deal with iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally. The deal will include a slate of co-produced, unscripted podcasts, further expanding Imagine’s IP verticals beyond the traditional screens. The partnership will collaborate to launch six new series over the next two years distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network. The division will be overseen by Imagine’s Chief Strategy Officer, Justin Wilkes and led by producer, Kara Welker.

"We couldn’t be more excited to have iHeart as our partner as we launch the Imagine brand into the audio space,” said Imagine’s Justin Wilkes. “Audio has proven to be a fantastic incubator and engine for IP development and between our connectivity to talent and storytellers, as well as our ability to create high-quality content, we’re incredibly well positioned to enter the category.”

Imagine Audio will take a 360 approach to content across the Imagine brand by not only creating podcasts, but fully immersive experiences that will extend into TV, film, live events and tours and merchandise, while leveraging all of Imagine’s divisions and vast library of memorable IP. Imagine Audio will differentiate itself in the marketplace by producing premium scripted and non-scripted content that’s sonically rich and benefits from the highest level of production value. The division is currently working with established talent as well as new voices across a slate audio productions in development and production which will be announced in the new year.

Welker, who is also a talent manager and producer, brings years of expertise of spotting talent and stories, and developing her clients and their projects into multi-platform revenue generators. Summer Sagansky has also joined the division as a Creative Executive.

“Imagine stands for the very highest quality content – behind some of the greatest film, TV and digital content the world has seen,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As the largest podcast network in the world, our goal is simple and consistent: We want to work with the most innovative, passionate storytellers in the world – producers who don’t just work in mediums, but who pioneer them. That’s Imagine.”

iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 iHeartRadio Original Podcasts which see more than 321 million downloads each month globally. These podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartMedia the largest publisher of podcast content in the world.

About Imagine Entertainment

Founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment is an award-wining global entertainment company telling stories that inspire and empower, and create unforgettable entertainment experiences across all genres across Imagine Features, Imagine Television Studios, Imagine Documentaries, Imagine Kids+Family, and Imagine Brands as well as award-winning Jax Media and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. Imagine’s productions have been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 45 Academy Award nominations and 202 Emmy® award nominations. Past productions include the Academy Award Best Picture winner A Beautiful Mind, as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years. Additional films include Get on Up, Rush, J. Edgar, Frost/Nixon, American Gangster, The Da Vinci Code, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, Liar, Liar, Backdraft and Parenthood to name a few. Recent films include tick, tick, …Boom! directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and the critically acclaimed documentaries Rebuilding Paradise, Dads, Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, D.Wade: Life Unexpected, and Pavarotti. Current film productions include Thirteen Lives directed by Ron Howard; a documentary on chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen; Curious George based on the beloved children’s character; and a re-imaging of the hit Imagine films Friday Night Lights and Fear. Current television projects include Genius: Aretha (NatGeo); Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu); Swagger (Apple); Why Women Kill (CBS All Access); Supervillain: The Rise of Tekashi 6ix9ine (Showtime); the Crime Scene anthology docuseries (Netflix); Jax Media’s Emily in Paris (Netflix) and Jigsaw’s Tiger documentary (HBO). Additional television productions include Fox’s Empire, Shots Fired and the 24 franchise; NatGeo’s Genius anthology series; NBC’s Parenthood and Friday Night Lights; Fox’s and Netflix’s Arrested Development; The Astronauts (Nickelodeon); and HBO's From the Earth to the Moon, for which Howard and Grazer won the Emmy® for Outstanding Mini-Series. Grazer and Howard began their collaboration in the early 80’s with the hit comedies Night Shift and Splash, and continue to run Imagine Entertainment as executive chairmen. www.imagine-entertainment.com

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