AdLarge and the fwd. network announced the addition of true crime podcast “The First Degree” to their female-first content platform, expanding their portfolio amid record podcast consumption growth in the U.S.

The true crime podcast, hosted by journalist Alexis Linkletter and entrepreneur Jac Vanek, joins the fwd. network in its eighth year with tens of millions of downloads. The show focuses on people directly impacted by crime (friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers), delivering first-person storytelling and reporting on the ripple effects of violence.

This addition comes as podcast consumption reaches new heights, with Edison Research reporting that 55% of Americans now listen monthly and 40% tune in weekly. Americans currently consume 773 million hours of podcast content weekly, representing a 355% increase since 2015.

The acquisition aligns with demographic shifts in the podcast listening audience. Female monthly listening has tripled over the past decade, from 16% in 2015 to 45% in 2025, according to Edison Research data. The report also notes that 48% of the top 25 podcasts among women are hosted or co-hosted by women.

“The First Degree is the perfect fit for the fwd. network,” Cathy Csukas, CEO of AdLarge and the fwd. Network, said in a press release. “Jac and Alexis have built a powerhouse show that delivers smart, compelling storytelling and an audience of deeply engaged women.”

Advertising Effectiveness

The partnership enhances AdLarge’s recent technology integration with NumberEight, which delivers privacy-first targeting capabilities across its podcast portfolio. This integration powers the company’s fwd+ and AMP products, enabling advertisers to reach audiences based on behavior, context, and intent without relying on cookies or listener IDs.

Edison Research confirms the effectiveness of podcast advertising, with 44% of weekly podcast listeners reporting purchases after hearing ads in Q1 2025, up from 34% in Q1 2020. Among women who consume podcasts monthly, 75% have taken action after hearing podcast advertisements.

Content Strategy

With more than 500 episodes, “The First Degree” combines Vanek’s pop culture perspective with Linkletter’s investigative expertise, as seen in projects such as “Unraveled: Long Island Serial Killer.”

“Joining the fwd. network means we’re not just growing the show, we’re growing a community of women who are hungry for stories that are raw, real, and relatable,” said Vanek.

The acquisition continues the fwd. network’s strategy of expanding its slate of women-led content at a time when 83% of monthly podcast consumers identify as fans of specific shows, hosts, or podcasts, demonstrating strong audience loyalty and engagement.

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