Netflix and audio giant iHeartMedia have entered into a new partnership to bring 14 exclusive video podcasts to Netflix in early 2026. This deal marks Netflix’s second major move into the podcast space, signaling a clear strategy to compete with other platforms for viewing time.
Article contents:
- New partnership details
- Included shows and podcasts
- Strategic goals and competition
- The battle with YouTube
- Netflix’s ongoing expansion
- Frequently asked questions
New partnership details
The new video podcast episodes will debut on Netflix in the United States in early 2026, with plans to expand to additional markets. As part of the agreement, Netflix will acquire a diverse lineup of shows covering comedy, true crime, history, and sports. The deal covers all new episodes, as well as selected archive episodes for each show. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia will retain audio-only distribution rights, ensuring the podcasts remain available on standard audio platforms.
Included shows and podcasts
The lineup features prominent names such as “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler, “The Breakfast Club” with Charlamagne, and “My Favorite Murder”. It also includes other shows such as “The Psychology of Your 20s”, “Behind the Scenes”, and “Things You Missed in History Class”. This diverse lineup aims to attract various demographic segments to the platform.
Strategic goals and competition
Netflix hopes that millions of people who prefer the video version of these shows will flock to its platform instead of competitors. However, since these podcasters will no longer host video versions of their shows on YouTube, they may lose advertising revenue and reach there, which could alienate some fans accustomed to free viewing.
The battle with YouTube
This deal follows Netflix’s announcement of a similar partnership with Spotify. The push into video podcasts is part of Netflix’s mission to expand its offerings beyond movies and series, directly competing with YouTube for the watch time users spend consuming talk shows and light entertainment.
Netflix’s ongoing expansion
The company’s ambitions do not stop there; it has secured deals with YouTube personalities like “Ms. Rachel” to attract children’s audiences and launched multiplayer TV games. Most clearly, the platform is looking to dive into the theatrical release space as it seeks to acquire major studios, signaling its desire to dominate all forms of entertainment.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When will the shows start?
A: In early 2026, in the United States first.
Q: Will the audio versions disappear?
A: No, audio versions will remain available on standard podcast apps.
Q: What is the goal of this deal?
A: To attract the video podcast audience from YouTube to Netflix and increase subscriber engagement.
