Shonda Rhimes is expanding into the world of podcasts.
The prolific TV producer has partnered with iHeartMedia to launch a new division of her company dubbed Shondaland Audio.
Under a new three-year agreement, the company will develop and produce original audio shows for iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network. Rhimes will oversee development of the programs, with chief digital and design officer Sandie Bailey managing day-to-day operations of Shondaland Audio.
While the move is an expansion for Rhimes, who also has a TV deal with Netflix, the iHeartMedia deal does not mark Shondaland’s first foray into podcasting. The company previously launched the show “Katie’s Crib,” a weekly podcast hosted “Scandal” and “Waitress” actress Katie Lowes. New episodes of that show will fall under the iHeartMedia umbrella starting next year.
“Podcasting continues to see tremendous growth and I’m excited to partner with iHeartMedia as Shondaland expands its storytelling journey into this medium which has seemed to usher in a unique sense of boldness, intimacy and connection,” Rhimes said in a statement. “With iHeartMedia we aim to share stories that are engaging, insightful, and reflect a robust world-view while staying true to the authentic storytelling voice that has become synonymous with Shondaland.”
“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers of our time,” said Conal Byrne, president of the iHeartPodcast Network. “We’re honored that she’s chosen the iHeartPodcast Network to extend her storytelling craft to audio, bringing a massive slate of new original podcasts to the world. With our unparalleled reach across multiple platforms, we can’t wait to introduce the incredibly engaging and brilliant Shondaland podcasts to millions of listeners.”