iHeartMedia

Agreement includes a dozen new co-produced iHeartRadio Original podcasts over the next three years and the distribution of Bloomberg Media’s existing podcasts through the iHeartPodcast Network

NEW YORK – May 17, 2021 – Bloomberg Media and iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced an exclusive multiyear agreement to co-produce and distribute more than a dozen new original podcasts, and will also include the distribution of Bloomberg Media’s existing slate of over 20 podcasts through the iHeartPodcast Network.

The new agreement will build on the success of Bloomberg Media’s lineup of business-related podcasts including the incredibly popular “Masters in Business,” “Odd Lots,” “Foundering,” and “The Pay Check” among others. The first four new co-produced iHeartRadio Original podcasts will take a broad view on business topics covering subject areas like financial crime or the cost of climate or the future of an industry. The new podcasts will begin rolling out later this year and will be available on the iHeartRadio App and everywhere podcasts are heard.

“Bloomberg Media continues to be one of the first, most-trusted destinations for high-quality content – from market news to business trends, to deeper financial backstories on what’s moving the economy overall,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group.  “We are excited to partner with Bloomberg, not only to grow the audience of their existing slate of great shows, but to develop a whole new list of titles across the next several years, combining their editorial expertise with our mass reach and monetization.”

“We continue to see growth with our chart-topping, award-winning podcasts, as we had 26% increase in podcast downloads in 2020,” said M. Scott Havens, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Strategic Partnerships, Bloomberg Media. “Bloomberg Media delivers the global perspective and deep insight business-minded listeners crave, and new platforms such as the iHeartMedia network extends our reach with new audiences who are seeking quality, premium content.”

Bloomberg Media’s podcasts offer unparalleled insights and analysis into the financial and business worlds through a mixture of timely reporting and narrative style programs. Drawing on the journalistic strength of its global newsroom of over 2,700 journalists, Bloomberg Media’s podcasts deliver quality audio content that cover and extensive range of topics across business, finance, economics, technology, healthcare, and more.

About Bloomberg Media

Bloomberg Media is a leading, global, multi-platform brand that provides decision-makers with timely news, analysis and intelligence on business, finance, technology, climate change, politics and more. Powered by a newsroom of over 2,700 journalists and analysts, it reaches influential audiences worldwide across every platform including digital, social, TV, radio, print and live events. Bloomberg Media is a division of Bloomberg LP. Visit BloombergMedia.com for more information.

Network Expands Slate with Companion Podcasts Avatar: Braving the Elements

Hosted by Original Series Voice Talent Janet Varney and Dante Basco

and SpongeBob BingePants with Hosts Frankie Grande and Hector Navarro

Additional Podcasts to be Announced Soon

BURBANK, Calif.—May 13, 2021—Nickelodeon, the number-one network for kids, and iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally, are extending the worlds of Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants with two original podcasts for loyal fans who grew up on the beloved franchises.  Hosted by original series voice actors Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Prince Zuko), Avatar: Braving the Elements will explore the Avatarverse, while super-fans Frankie Grande and Hector Navarro will take fans down to Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob BingePants. Co-produced by Nickelodeon and iHeartRadio, these companion podcasts will be available on iHeartRadio and wherever else podcasts are found starting this summer. The news was announced today during ViacomCBS’ presentation at the IAB Podcast Upfront.

“The family podcast market is still nascent, and we’re thrilled to be working closely with our good friends at iHeartRadio producing exciting new content for all audio platforms,” said Douglas Rosen, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Digital Products, Nickelodeon. “Not only are we extending our beloved franchises and IP to the audio landscape, but we’re also working with creative talent to produce new ideas and concepts for all audiences.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team at Nickelodeon to bring such incredibly fun shows to audiences everywhere,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer of the iHeartPodcast Network. “I’m not sure you could pick two better franchises to kick things off, and there’s much more to come. We can’t wait for fans to hear these shows.”

Additional podcasts featuring beloved Nickelodeon titles from its library are currently in development and will be announced in the coming months.

The first podcasts to be released are:

• Avatar: Braving the Elements (40 episodes, premieres Tuesday, June 22, 2021) – Enter the amazing world of Avatar through the official companion podcast from Nickelodeon. Join hosts Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Prince Zuko) each week as they re-watch every episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender and break down key themes, notable battles, and behind-the-scenes trivia. Special guests from cast members to producers join them to explore elements of the Avatarverse, including the origins of the story and how Avatar was brought to life.

• SpongeBob BingePants (40 episodes, premieres later this year) – Hosted by super-fans Frankie Grande (Henry Danger) and Hector Navarro (Geek & Sundry), the official SpongeBob SquarePants re-watch podcast dives down to Bikini Bottom for a recap of every episode, hilarious conversations, and never-before-heard secrets about everyone’s favorite optimistic sea sponge.

Nickelodeon’s podcasts feature brand extensions of its hit franchises and original content. New series Avatar: Braving the Elements and SpongeBob BingePants join Listen Out Loud with The Loud House, The Casagrandes: Familia Sounds, Blue’s Clues & You!: Bedtime Stories and Nickelodeon Animation Podcast. These podcasts are available across iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever podcasts are found.

Avatar: Braving the Elements and SpongeBob BingePants are distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.

About Avatar: The Last Airbender

Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender emerged from its three-season run (61 episodes), from February 2005 to July 2008, as one of the most beloved animated properties in history. Honored with a Peabody Award and Primetime Emmy, along with multiple Annie Awards and Genesis Awards, the series follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must save the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai and ending the destructive war with the Fire Nation.

In addition to the series’ success, the property has spawned into several bestselling book series, which continue to roll out new original stories. The graphic novel series most recently spent two months on the New York Times Graphic Books Bestseller list in 2020, and the young adult novels have spent 22 cumulative weeks on the New York Times Young Adult Bestseller list and have shipped over a quarter million copies. The DVD and Blu-rays are also incredibly successful, with the “Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Complete Series” generating nearly $38MM in retail sales since its 2015 release.

About SpongeBob SquarePants

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one animated series on TV for the last 18 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.  SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in ViacomCBS Networks International history, seen in more than 170 countries and territories, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every month. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing, and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

New network will bring together and amplify well-known and new influential Latinx voices alike – including Eva Longoria, Wilmer Valderrama, Rosario Dawson, Gloria Estefan and more, with a slate of groundbreaking and culturally relevant content 

 Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eva Longoria to provide a sneak preview of the slate with “In the Heights: El Sueñito” – a special limited podcast series with Lin-Manuel Miranda, hosted by Eva Longoria, launching June 2

NEW YORK –May 13, 2021 – iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in America and No. 1 podcast publisher, announced today that it will launch a new, standalone podcast venture – My Cultura, dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and creators, and sharing the Latinx experience with millions of listeners.   

In partnership with Enrique Santos, iHeartMedia’s top-rated on-air personality and President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, My Cultura will offer creators a platform to share stories and perspectives relevant to Latinx listeners and all audiences. The network will roll out 6 new shows at launch in Summer 2021, and 30 shows throughout its first year, across a variety of genres including pop culture, music, comedy, mental health, finance, news and more – from well-known and new voices alike, including Eva Longoria, Wilmer Valderrama, Rosario Dawson, stars of Red Table Talk: The Estefans - Gloria, Lili and Emily Estefan, Cobra Kai stars Xolo Maridueña and Jacob Bertrand, Amara La Negra, Chiquis, Daniel Habif and more.

“Latinx creators drive our culture. And yet, even though almost 20 percent of the U.S. population is Latinx, this community of creators is still strikingly, consistently underrepresented across media,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As the biggest podcast network in the world, we at iHeart have a chance to course-correct this incredible, exploding medium so that these voices are better represented and amplified. We could not be more excited for this launch and the entire company is behind it. This will be some of the strongest content we launch this year, period.” 

Tony Award-winning “Hamilton” creators Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eva Longoria will give us a sneak peek of ‘My Cultura’ with the podcast “In the Heights: El Sueñito,”  a celebration of In the Heights, Warner Bros. Pictures feature film In the Heights. adaptation of Manuel’s first stage musical. The limited series will launch in on June 2 with an in-depth conversation about the inspiration for the musical story and how it went from the stage to the screen. 

‘My Cultura’ will also partner with Sonoro, a global media company focused on creating the most sought-after Latinx and global Hispanic content in the world. The Princess of South Beach, a comedy podcast that reinvents the telenovela, will launch in July in both English and Spanish. The show pays homage to classic telenovela twists with larger-than-life characters.

Exile content studio, a full-service studio producing premium content in Spanish and English for global audiences across TV, film, audio and digital, will launch a slate of shows beginning with El Flow. The show takes a historical look at the rise of Reggaeton from the creation of the Panama Canal, to the streets of San Juan, to conquering the world.

In addition, the new network will kick off with season two of Santos’ own popular podcast “Hola, My Name Is,” which debuted last year and has featured conversations with guests including Gloria Estefan, J. Balvin and Dr. Anthony Fauci, in early 2021. 

“iHeartMedia’s commitment to serving the needs of the Latin community throughout the nation is unparalleled and I’m honored by their continued commitment to our community,’ said Santos.  “This is why iHeartMedia and I are collaborating to build upon the current programming and to create the largest Latin-focused podcast network that celebrates our culture, people and community.”

State Farm has signed on as an inaugural sponsor of My Cultura with others to be announced.

All shows on the My Cultura podcast network will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network which is home to more than 750 original podcasts. With over 257 million downloads each month, iHeartRadio is the leading podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with a substantial lead over the next largest commercial podcaster. iHeartPodcasts 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. iHeartPodcasts are distributed on all major podcast platforms, including the iHeartRadio app.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, May 13, 2021 – Catalina, a leader in shopper intelligence and omni-channel media solutions that personalize the shopper journey, has formed a groundbreaking partnership with leading audio company and the No. 1 podcast publisher iHeartMedia, to measure and attribute the impact of podcast advertising on offline sales in physical stores, which continue to represent the majority of CPG purchases.

To date, podcast measurement capabilities have helped advertisers understand the impact of an ad campaign on brand lift metrics like purchase intent or message recall, as well as attribution of digital user activity such as website visits from those listeners exposed to that campaign. Now, CPG partners will also gain visibility into the true offline sales impact of their marketing dollars within podcasting.

In addition, as part of this data partnership Catalina will provide iHeartMedia with audiences and measurement services within iHeartMedia’s SmartAudio platform, for CPG ad campaigns that air on the latter’s linear and streaming radio programming.

“Podcast listening continues to skyrocket, with more than 115 million people in the U.S. anticipated to listen to podcasts this year – and podcast advertising expected to double over the next five years,” said Brian Dunphy, SVP of Catalina’s Strategic Partnerships and Channel Sales. “As the medium continues to rapidly grow, Catalina’s multi-path identity resolution capabilities combined with iHeartMedia’s unique multiplatform audiences at scale enable us to match deterministic shopper households across a variety of identity paths helping advertisers measure the effectiveness and success of their podcast campaigns.”

To accomplish this, data & analytic teams at Catalina and iHeartMedia have worked together over the past year to test the feasibility of applying Catalina audiences and measurement capabilities to enhance the effectiveness of CPG ads running on iHeartMedia’s multiplatform audio properties. The teams have since successfully completed pilot tests for measurement and audience targets across a range of iHeart’s audio properties, including podcasts.

“We have been impressed with Catalina’s ability to deliver highly-scaled, extensive data and insights for CPG advertisers, enabling them to measure the effectiveness of their brand messaging on in-store sales,” said David Shiffman, EVP of National Research at iHeartMedia. “We continue to focus on cross-platform measurement and attribution capabilities for advertisers and now in partnership with Catalina we can provide CPG advertisers tools to maximize their podcast campaigns’ ROI, with measurement and attribution solutions to more effectively plan and execute their multi-platform audio campaigns.”

Catalina’s Dunphy added, “As consumer-directed media consumption grows, it is critical for marketers to have a partner to help them effectively measure across channels. Thanks to our new partnership with iHeartMedia, we are excited to be unlocking and adding radio, streaming audio and podcasts to Catalina’s now comprehensive omni-channel platform capabilities that also includes TV, Out of Home, Digital Advertising and In-Store campaigns. We have the capacity to reach shoppers with personalized messages at every step of the consumer journey, measure their impact, and even make adjustments in real time to drive sales.”

About Catalina

Catalina is a leader in shopper intelligence and highly targeted in-store, TV, and digital media that personalizes the shopper journey. Powered by the world’s richest real-time shopper database, Catalina helps CPG brands, retailers and agencies optimize every stage of media planning, execution and measurement to deliver $6.1 billion in consumer value annually. Catalina has no higher priority than ensuring the privacy and security of the data entrusted to the company and maintaining consumer trust. Catalina has operations in the United States, Costa Rica, Europe and Japan. To learn more, please visit www.catalina.com or follow us on Twitter @Catalina.

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.