iHeartPodcast Network announces audio content deal with Sports Illustrated

US-based iHeartMedia has teamed up with sports media publisher Sports Illustrated on a multi-year podcast and audio content deal.

The partnership will see the companies work together to produce new eight original podcast titles, with each series then being distributed across the iHeartPodcast Network.

iHeartMedia will also secure the rights to distribute Sports Illustrated’s existing podcasts across its platforms, including ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia.

Each title will place an emphasis on unique storytelling and analysis, while the Sports Illustrated Studios label will provide scripted and limited series content as part of the deal.

A 45-minute news and analysis content series named Sports Illustrated Weekly will be the first title to launch from the partnership when it arrives later this year.

Sports Illustrated Studios’ David Hutkin said expressed his excitement towards exploring the world of audio.

“While traditionally sports are very visually focused, this venture allows us to introduce audiences to the most memorable events in sports history in unexpected ways, which is precisely the foundation of SI Studios,” Hutkin said.

“With this new partnership, Sports Illustrated, the most trusted brand in sports, and iHeartMedia, the industry’s leading podcast publisher and distributor, we have the unique opportunity to tell these historic, remarkable stories to audiences globally.”

Earlier this week, iHeartMedia announced a similar multi-year content deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to co-produce more than 20 podcast titles, with the network’s growing sports portfolio to be made available in Australia via ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia.