iHeartPodcasts, Kaleidoscope Team for Narrative Podcasts

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 26, 2022

iHeartMedia Podcast Network

iHeartPodcasts inks a new distribution deal with Kaleidoscope, a podcast start-up -- led by host and producer Oz Woloshyn and veteran podcast host Mangesh Hattikudur -- focusing on produced narrative podcasts set in countries ranging from Brazil to Russia. The collaboration includes an initial slate of six podcasts that tell largely-unknown true stories from different corners of the globe. The slate's first show "Obsessions: Wild Chocolate" debuts Wednesday and follows food journalist Rowan Jacobson on a trip into the Amazon.

"This partnership with Kaleidoscope offers iHeartPodcasts an opportunity to collaborate with some of the smartest, most creative producers in podcasting," said iHeartPodcasts President Will Pearson. "We love their team's focus on incredible stories from around the world and immediately gravitated to the slate Kaleidoscope put in front of us. We can't wait for audiences to hear this line-up of brilliant shows."

"We're very excited that iHeart will use its industry-leading reach, relationships with top-tier content creators, and cutting-edge analytics to help amplify these important and compelling stories from across the globe," said Kaleidoscope co-founders Oz Woloshyn. "The podcasting industry is growing quickly, but it's still in its infancy. This partnership will create new genres of shows and reach listeners who may not yet be familiar with the rich, immersive storytelling experience that top-tier podcasts can provide."

As part of the collaboration, Kaleidoscope and iHeartPodcasts will release one new investigative podcast each month. Shows launching over the next few months include "Obsessions: Wild Chocolate," "Skyline Drive," "The Good Thief" and "Murder in Little Haiti."