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iHeartMedia Shares Surge to Two-Year High on Report of Netflix Licensing Talks

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Shares of iHeartMedia jumped 22% on Tuesday to their highest level in more than two years after a Bloomberg report revealed that Netflix is in talks to license video podcasts from the U.S. radio and podcasting giant. The rally marks iHeart’s best trading day in months, signaling renewed investor optimism about the company’s growth prospects.

According to the report, Netflix aims to secure exclusive rights to select iHeart video podcasts, potentially removing them from YouTube and intensifying competition among streaming platforms. A partnership could bring iHeart’s top shows to a global audience and create new opportunities for advertisers and podcast creators as the industry evolves toward more visual formats.

Analysts said the talks reflect a broader shift in the media landscape, where audio platforms are increasingly embracing video-driven engagement to boost viewer retention. A study by Zebracat earlier this year found that average engagement with video podcasts was 2.7 times higher than with audio-only versions on mobile devices.

The potential deal mirrors Netflix’s recent move with Spotify, which announced last month that its most popular video podcasts would appear on Netflix from early 2026. If finalized, the iHeart collaboration could establish the streaming giant as a major player in video podcasting and mark a significant milestone in iHeartMedia’s post-pandemic turnaround.

Spotify and Netflix strike deal to stream popular video podcasts starting 2026

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Netflix and Spotify have announced a new distribution partnership that will bring some of Spotify’s most popular video podcasts to Netflix’s platform starting in early 2026. The move aims to expand Netflix’s entertainment portfolio and give Spotify creators access to a broader global audience.

The initial lineup will feature hit shows including “The Dave Chang Show,” “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” “The Rewatchables,” “The Big Picture,” “The Zach Lowe Show,” and “Serial Killers.” However, “The Joe Rogan Experience”, Spotify’s most-streamed podcast globally, will not be part of the deal.

Netflix said the collaboration reflects its push to diversify beyond scripted series, films, and reality programming, as video podcasts become an increasingly popular format among younger viewers. “Our partnership with Spotify allows us to bring full video versions of these top shows to both Netflix and Spotify audiences,” said Lauren Smith, vice president of content licensing and programming strategy at Netflix.

For Spotify, the tie-up provides an opportunity to extend the reach of its creators by leveraging Netflix’s vast global subscriber base. “This offers more choice to creators and unlocks a completely new distribution opportunity,” said Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify’s vice president and head of podcasts.

The new feature will launch in the United States first, followed by an international rollout, with no financial details disclosed.