True-Crime Podcasts ‘Disgraceland’ and ‘Hollywoodland’ Join iHeartMedia Network Alongside ‘My Favorite Murder’

Why It Matters

The shift brings Brennan’s high‑engagement true‑crime titles into iHeart’s massive distribution and advertising ecosystem, potentially expanding their audience and revenue streams while strengthening Exactly Right’s portfolio of flagship podcasts.

Key Takeaways

• Disgraceland and Hollywoodland join Exactly Right Media under iHeart partnership.
• Shows move from Audacy to iHeartPodcasts, expanding distribution.
• Disgraceland called the most downloaded music podcast worldwide.
• Taylor Swift stalker episode premieres April 12, boosting audience reach.

Pulse Analysis

The migration of Jake Brennan’s true‑crime series to Exactly Right Media marks a strategic consolidation in the podcast industry, where networks are leveraging scale to capture niche audiences. By aligning with iHeartMedia’s exclusive sales and marketing arm, the shows gain access to a national ad‑sales force that can monetize their highly engaged listeners more effectively than the fragmented Audacy platform. This move also underscores iHeart’s ambition to dominate the true‑crime segment, a category that consistently outperforms other genres in listener loyalty and advertising rates.

“Disgraceland,” launched in 2018, has cultivated a reputation as the premier music‑focused crime podcast, a claim reinforced by iHeart’s claim of it being the most downloaded worldwide. Its success rests on deep‑dive storytelling that blends celebrity culture with investigative journalism, resonating with both music fans and true‑crime enthusiasts. The addition of “Hollywoodland,” which explores scandals within the entertainment industry, creates a complementary slate that can cross‑promote episodes, driving higher average listening minutes across the network. This synergy is likely to attract advertisers seeking to reach affluent, culturally attuned demographics.

The first iHeart‑released episode, focusing on Taylor Swift’s stalker incidents, exemplifies the network’s strategy of leveraging high‑profile subjects to generate buzz and attract new listeners. By scheduling releases on multiple days and offering bonus content, the network maximizes engagement and keeps audiences returning throughout the week. For advertisers, the expanded reach and consistent release cadence translate into more inventory and higher CPMs, while listeners benefit from a richer, more accessible podcast experience across iHeart’s platforms.