iHeartMedia, CitizenSkull Ink Audio Content Deal

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 1:11pm CT

iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia has entered into a multi-year first-look development agreement with CitizenSkull to create and produce premium scripted audio content, the companies announced. The partnership establishes an ongoing, multi-project relationship focused on elevated genre storytelling, particularly in sci-fi and horror, with an emphasis on developing franchise-ready intellectual property that can expand across multiple platforms.

The first project under the deal, Prodigal, is a sci-fi thriller created and written by comic book writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. The duo is known for work with Marvel Comics and DC Comics, including titles such as Batman Beyond, Captain America, and Kang the Conqueror. The series is scheduled for release this fall.

CitizenSkull's Sean M. Butler said the collaboration is designed to develop high-concept projects that can extend beyond audio into broader entertainment franchises, calling Prodigal a strong example of that strategy.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, said the agreement reflects iHeartMedia's continued investment in high-end scripted audio and partnerships with top creative talent.

The series will be showrun by Kevin Arbouet, whose credits span film, television and audio. Executive producers for CitizenSkull include Butler and Mark Myers, with Paul Yurick co-producing alongside Butler and Boye Akolade serving as co-executive producer.

Butler previously helped develop the sports podcast All The Smoke, later adapted for Showtime, and served as executive producer on The Move: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy in collaboration with MACRO.