iHeartMedia's PRIDE Radio, serving the LGBTQ+ community on iHeartRadio, announced a partnership today with Pride Media, the premiere LGBTQ+ media company and home to publications including Out, The Advocate and Pride. iHeart and Pride Media will co-produce a slate of LGBTQ+ podcasts in 2019-2020 that will be available on the iHeartRadio app.
The partnership will kick off with the launch of “The Outcast,” a brand new iHeartRadio Original podcast co-produced with Out Magazine. Hosted by Fran Tirado, Deputy Editor of Out Magazine, this weekly podcast will explore queer and queer-adjacent topics as they pertain to politics, pop culture, fashion, relationships, money, and more. Each episode takes a deep dive into one theme or story — some tied to timely news topics, others evergreen — expanding onOutmagazine's brand of thought-provoking coverage using a combination of interviews, reporting, and roundtable discussions. The first episode of the series launched July 18th.
“A podcast by the world’s premiere queer media brand is long overdue, and I am more than honored to help it along the way,” said Tirado. “Podcasting and audio storytelling, particularly in the LGBTQ+ space, needs more voices in it. I can’t wait to help elevate and uplift those voices.”
“Pride Media has long been committed to providing relevant and engaging content for the LGBTQ+ community – whether we’re creating a podcast on dating and relationships, or sharing accurate, comprehensive health information,” added Orlando Reece Interim CEO at Pride Media. “We’ve seen the power of podcasting firsthand, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with the leading podcast platform to create shows that we know our audience will love. By combining our established brand with iHeart’s massive scale, we’ll be able to reach even more LGBTQ+ individuals across the country through audio.”
iHeartMedia will also welcome “Food 4 Thot”, a podcast hosted by four queer men who discuss sex, relationships, race and identity, to the iHeartPodcast Network this month. In addition, iHeartMedia and Pride Media will co-create and launch a slate of new podcasts in 2019-2020 with more to be announced.
“At iHeartMedia, our goal is to connect exceptional content with diverse audiences,” said Conal Byrne, President of iHeartMedia Podcast Network. “Pride Media has been an authentic voice for the LGBTQ+ community for years, and this partnership would not be possible without their unique expertise. We are proud to partner with them to create and distribute exciting new podcasts for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.”
“I’m so thrilled that Fran is blessing us with his unique talents in the podcasting space,” said Phillip Picardi, Editor-in-Chief of Out. “Under his vision and direction, I’m hopeful that the stories we’re so proud to tell at Out will be given new dimension and texture.”
iHeartRadio featuring more than 25,000 podcasts, with more than 750 iHeartRadio Originals and is available on over 250 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions and gaming consoles. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to “The Outcast” on your favorite device now.