Disney cut a licensing deal for six podcasts from iHeartMedia that will stream on Disney+ and/or Hulu, starting with the Jonas brothers‘ recently launched “Hey Jonas!”
Disney is banking on some synergy with the Jonas siblings’ podcast, in which Kevin, Joe and Nick “share “another side of themselves” in a “playful, intimate and irreverent way.”
“Hey Jonas!” will debut simultaneously on Disney+ and Hulu on Aug. 14 with an episode highlighting “Camp Rock 3” — the latest installment in the music franchise that stars the three Jonas brothers that premieres that same day on Disney+. Then, “Hey Jonas!” will feature additional episodes with Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas live at Disney’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event that weekend.
Other tie-ins: “Desperately Devoted” on Hulu will begin streaming with video for the first time on Nov. 2, aimed at driving fans to rewatch episodes of “Desperate Housewives.” Fans of “Scrubs” can also revisit each episode of the series on Hulu alongside co-stars (and real-life BFFs) Zach Braff and Donald Faison with “Fake Doctors, Real Friends With Zach and Donald,” streaming on Hulu beginning later this year.
“Fans can’t get enough of the stories and talent they love, and podcasts have become one of the fastest growing ways for audiences to connect with them,” said Lauren Tempest, Disney’s head of direct-to-consumer content planning and partnerships, in a statement. “These new video podcasts from iHeartMedia bring fans closer to their favorite worlds and the creators behind them, and we’re thrilled to make them available on Disney+ and Hulu as part of an even richer streaming experience.”
Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, commented about the pact, “Disney+ and Hulu have built powerful streaming destinations with incredibly passionate fan communities, making them ideal partners to expand the reach of these beloved iHeartPodcasts.”
iHeartMedia also has licensed podcasts to Netflix, including Charlamagne tha God’s “The Breakfast Club” and shows from Martha Stewart and Lele Pons.
Other podcasts available on Disney+ and Hulu include licensed titles like “Handsome” and “We’re Here to Help,” in addition to rewatch podcasts like “The Mess Around With Hannah and Lamorne” (for “New Girl”) “Prison Breaking With Sarah and Paul” (“Prison Break”) and “That Was Us” (“This Is Us”). Companion podcasts for Disney+ and Hulu series include those for “Paradise,” “American Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars,” as well as FX’s “The Shards” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.”
Here are descriptions of the six iHeart podcasts under the deal, provided by the companies: