Podcast company Audioboom has entered into a multi-year commercial and hosting partnership with Crooked Media, the political podcast network founded by former Obama administration staffers, the companies announced in a press release.

Under the agreement, which runs through the 2026 U.S. midterms and 2028 presidential election, Audioboom will provide hosting, global distribution, and network advertising sales across Crooked Media’s full podcast portfolio. 

The partnership, effective immediately, represents a strategic move as political content attracts increased attention from audiences and advertisers.

“Crooked has always focused on building shows with loyal, highly engaged audiences and partners who respect that relationship, and this new deal with Audioboom will strengthen our infrastructure for global distribution and monetization,” said Giancarlo Bizzarro, Vice President of Sales at Crooked Media.

Partnership Structure

Under the deal, Audioboom will manage host-read advertising rights for “Pod Save the UK,” opening up new revenue pathways in the British market. Crooked Media will continue to control host-read advertising across the rest of its podcast slate through its in-house sales team.

The arrangement gives Crooked Media access to Audioboom’s proprietary marketplace Showcase, which connects podcasters with more than 2,000 brands and a network of international sales providers. 

The partnership covers advertising inventory in both audio and video formats.

Bizzarro stated, “At a time when the eyes and ears of the world are increasingly focused on the United States, this agreement ensures our shows reach audiences wherever they are and creates new commercial opportunities for ‘Pod Save the UK’ and our growing international portfolio.”

Network Scale

Crooked Media has launched or acquired more than 40 podcasts and digital series since its 2017 founding by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor. The network’s current lineup includes “Pod Save America,” “Lovett or Leave It,” “Pod Save The World,” and “What A Day,” among other regular weekly shows and limited series.

According to the press release, the slate generates more than 25 million monthly downloads and has received more than 80 awards and nominations, including Webby Awards, Tribeca Honors, and a Peabody Award nomination.

“Crooked Media has built one of the most influential podcast portfolios in modern political media,” said Brendan Regan, Chief Content Officer at Audioboom. “This partnership reflects our shared belief in creator-led networks supported by best-in-class distribution and monetization infrastructure.”

Audioboom ranks as the fifth-largest podcast publisher in the U.S., according to Edison Research, with its shows downloaded 125 million times per month by more than 40 million unique listeners globally.

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