iHeartRadio and Pride Media Team Up to Launch Slate of LGBTQ+ Podcasts

Partnership Kicks-Off with “The Outcast” an iHeartRadio Original Podcast

Co-produced by Out Magazine

New York, NY — July 18, 2019 — iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, and , the premier LGBTQ+ media company and home to publications including , , and , today announced a partnership to co-produce a slate of LGBTQ+ podcasts in 2019-2020 that will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are available.

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 on Out magazine's brand of thought-provoking coverage using a combination of interviews, reporting, and roundtable discussions. The first episode of the series will launch on July 18.

“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 “”, 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 250,000 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 to download iHeartRadio and listen to “The Outcast” on your favorite device now.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio in every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.