iHeartMedia shares surged 22% to a two-year high on Tuesday after reports that Netflix is in advanced talks to license a selection of video podcasts distributed by the radio and podcasting company. The news sparked investor enthusiasm that a partnership with the streaming giant could revitalize iHeart’s business and expand its global reach.
Bloomberg reported that Netflix seeks exclusivity for certain iHeart shows, meaning full episodes could be pulled from YouTube, escalating competition in the video streaming space. Analysts said the move would help Netflix deepen its presence in the fast-growing podcast segment, while giving iHeartMedia access to a broader international audience and stronger monetization potential.
The deal would follow Netflix’s recent collaboration with Spotify, which will bring popular video podcasts to Netflix starting in 2026. With video podcast consumption on the rise — and research showing viewer retention 2.7 times higher than for audio-only formats — the partnership could position iHeart as a central player in the next wave of streaming innovation.
