NBCUniversal named iHeartMedia as its audio partner for the Olympic Games in Paris, which begin in late July.
iHeartRadio will provide play-by-play audio channels of certain NBCU linear coverage of the games. It will also create an Olympic iHeartPodcast hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. It will produce Olympic-specific episodes on other podcasts and promote viewership to NBCU’s coverage.
The announcement was made by Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics, Michael Biondo, iHeart’s president of business development and strategic partnerships.
Zenkel said in the announcement, “This partnership allows iHeart’s large audio audience to hear NBCU’s Olympic coverage away from their televisions and digital devices, as well as engage with the games through iHeart’s celebrated and entertaining podcasts.”
The play-by-play channels will include a focus on the U.S. teams at the games. “NBCU’s coverage on iHeart’s channels is expected to include Team USA men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball, as well as swimming, gymnastics, track & field and more.”
The jointly created new podcast will have a weekly interview-based format.
