NBCU Taps iHeartMedia as Paris Olympics Exclusive Audio Partner
NBCUniversal inked a deal with iHeartMedia making it the exclusive audio partner for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Under the agreement, iHeart will provide 24-7 play-by-play audio channels for select NBCU linear coverage of the Olympic Games. In addition, iHeartMedia will create an original iHeartPodcast for the Olympics hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers (of the popular “Las Culturistas” podcast) and produce Olympic-themed episodes for some of its top educational podcasts, including “Stuff You Missed in History Class” and “Ridiculous History,” as well as promote tune-in for NBCU’s coverage across TV and Peacock.
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The play-by-play Olympics channels carried by iHeartMedia will feature NBCU’s coverage of “the most exciting moments of the Games,” with a special focus on Team USA. The audio programming is expected to include Team USA men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics, and track and field.
In the original podcast co-hosted by Yang, a current “Saturday Night Live” cast member, and actor-comedian Rogers (“Fire Island”), the duo will interview current and former Olympic athletes and celebrity fans. The podcast is set to launch weekly episodes in late June stretching from before the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony and continuing through the Closing Ceremony in August, distributed by iHeartPodcasts on the iHeartRadio app and other major platforms.
The iHeartMedia pact is one piece of NBCU’s promotional engine for the Paris Olympics, set to run July 26-Aug. 11, 2024. NBCU has lined up a wealth of talent for Olympics coverage, including Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Jimmy Fallon, Mike Tirico, Snoop Dogg and podcaster Alex Cooper (“Call Her Daddy”), who will host interactive watch parties on Peacock.
NBCU has planned some 7,000 hours of coverage and related programming for the Summer Games, and on Peacock will deliver the most streaming content for the Olympics to date with over 5,000 hours of coverage.
“We’re excited to partner with iHeartMedia to provide Olympic fans with even more ways to enjoy the Paris Olympic Games,” said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics. “This partnership allows iHeart’s large audio audience to hear NBCU’s Olympic coverage away from their televisions and digital devices, as well as engage with the Games through iHeart’s celebrated and entertaining podcasts.”
Michael Biondo, iHeartMedia’s president of business development and strategic partnerships, added, “As the leading sports audio destination, it’s an honor to be able to provide our platform and our massive reach to bring further awareness and up-to-the minute coverage of this year’s Olympics.”
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