The iHeartMedia and TikTok podcast partnership may be the biggest crossover since social media met streaming. The two giants are teaming up to give TikTok creators their own podcast network, co-branded studios, and a TikTok-powdered radio station. For influencers who’ve mastered the 15-second clip, this move could turn viral moments into full-blown media careers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, iHeartMedia plans to launch up to 25 creator-driven podcasts in the upcoming year. Each will live on the iHeartPodcast Network and iHeartRadio while being promoted entirely on TikTok. This effectively merges two of the internet’s most powerful attention engines.
Inside the iHeartMedia and TikTok Podcast Partnership
At the core of this collaboration is the new TikTok Podcast Network, a platform designed to help short-form stars expand into long-form storytelling. Creators will have access to brand-new podcast studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, complete with top-tier audio and video equipment. It’s a significant upgrade from filming in bedrooms and cars, and a big sign that TikTok wants to plant strong roots in the professional media world.
Tom Poleman, iHeartMedia’s chief programming officer, told Variety that the partnership aims to “build a bridge between the fast-paced creativity of TikTok and the lasting storytelling of podcasts.” In other words, iHeart brings the infrastructure, and TikTok brings the energy.
TikTok, which already influences nearly every corner of music and pop culture, is using this deal to expand into longer-form audio content. By working with iHeart, the platform gains access to a legacy distribution system, powerful ad networks, and decades of radio experience. This is something even those most viral influencers can’t replicate alone.
What’s Coming Next
The iHeartMedia and TikTok podcast partnership won’t stop at podcasts. The companies are also launching TikTok Radio, a reimagined music station that blends trending songs, creator commentary, and real-time viral moments. The goal is to make radio sound like TikTok feels, which means quick, unpredictable, and full of cultural snapshots.
Deadline reports that iHeartMedia and TikTok will also produce live events tied to major festivals, letting creators connect with fans offline. Meanwhile, the first wave of podcast hosts is expected to include some of TikTok’s biggest personalities, though no names have been officially confirmed yet.
Each show will have a unique flavor, covering topics like comedy, relationships, sports, lifestyle, and digital culture. And thanks to iHeart’s massive reach, these podcasts will appear everywhere, from Spotify and Apple Podcasts to smart speakers and cars.
Why This Partnership Makes Sense
Traditional podcasting and video podcasting have been booming for years, and it’s struggled to attract young listeners. TikTok, on the other hand, practically owns Gen Z’s attention span. The iHeartMedia and TikTok podcast partnership fuses those worlds, combining TikTok’s creators and fanbase with iHeart’s production and monetization power.
For creators, it’s a new way to build sustainable income beyond brand deals. For iHeart, it’s a shot at staying culturally relevant with audiences who think FM stands for FYP (For You Page).
Of course, not every viral creator can suddenly host a 40-minute conversation. Some will thrive; others may find the transition from quick quips to long-form depth tricky. But that’s exactly why iHeart is setting up professional coaching and production support.
As Variety notes, the network isn’t trying to churn out generic influencer shows. It’s trying to make stars out of people who already know how to capture attention, just in a new format.
What to Watch For
The first slate of podcasts and the relaunch of TikTok Radio are expected to roll out in early 2026. If successful, this could set a new blueprint for how creators evolve from social platforms into established media brands. The iHeartMedia and TikTok podcast partnership rewrites what broadcasting means in a world where the feed never sleeps.