Audioboom and Crooked Media Sign Multi-Year Podcast Hosting & Advertising Deal
Audioboom has entered into a multi-year commercial partnership with Crooked Media, one of the most influential political podcast networks in the United States.
Under the agreement, Audioboom will take over hosting, global distribution, and advertising sales for Crooked Media’s entire podcast portfolio. The deal comes at a critical time, spanning major political events including the 2026 US midterm elections and the 2028 US presidential election, periods traditionally marked by surging demand for political content and advertising inventory.
The partnership is effective immediately and positions both companies to capitalise on growing global interest in US politics, particularly across audio and video podcast formats.
The agreement significantly expands Audioboom’s role in Crooked Media’s content ecosystem, while allowing Crooked to retain creative and editorial independence.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
Hosting & Infrastructure
Audioboom will provide hosting services for all Crooked Media podcasts.
This includes backend technology, analytics, and performance optimisation.
Global Distribution
Audioboom will manage worldwide podcast distribution across major platforms.
This ensures Crooked Media’s shows reach audiences beyond its traditional US-centric markets.
Advertising Sales
Audioboom will oversee network advertising sales for both:
Audio podcasts
Video podcast formats
Access to Audioboom’s international sales network and brand partnerships.
Special UK Commercial Expansion
For Pod Save the UK, Audioboom will manage host-read advertising, opening new monetisation opportunities in the UK market.
Crooked Media will retain host-read advertising rights for all other shows.
Why This Deal Matters Now
Rising Global Interest in US Politics
With US elections approaching, international consumption of American political analysis has risen sharply. Podcasts have become a primary medium for audiences seeking:
In-depth political commentary
Long-form discussions
Personality-driven analysis outside traditional news cycles
Both companies acknowledge that this moment presents a unique opportunity to scale reach and revenue simultaneously.
Expansion Beyond Core Markets
While Crooked Media has built a loyal US audience, the partnership allows it to:
Reach listeners in Europe, the UK, Canada, and Asia-Pacific
Monetise international audiences more effectively
Build sustainable revenue outside election cycles
Crooked Media’s Perspective on the Partnership
Giancarlo Bizzarro, Vice President of Sales at Crooked Media, described the agreement as a pivotal step in the company’s global growth strategy.
According to Bizzarro, the partnership strengthens how Crooked Media distributes and monetises its content worldwide while ensuring creative control remains firmly in-house.
“This agreement ensures our shows reach audiences wherever they are and creates new commercial opportunities for Pod Save the UK and our growing international portfolio,” he said.
About Crooked Media: From Political Startup to Podcast Powerhouse
Founded by Obama Administration Alumni
Crooked Media was founded in 2017 by former Obama administration staffers:
Jon Favreau
Jon Lovett
Tommy Vietor
What began as a political commentary platform quickly evolved into one of the most recognisable names in political podcasting.
A Diverse and Influential Podcast Line-Up
Crooked Media’s current slate includes some of the most downloaded political podcasts globally:
Pod Save America
Lovett or Leave It
Pod Save The World
What A Day
Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
In addition to its flagship shows, the network has produced critically acclaimed limited series, including:
Wind of Change
This Land
Mother Country Radicals
These programmes blend investigative journalism, narrative storytelling, and political analysis, helping Crooked Media build a broad and engaged audience.
Audioboom’s Role: Powering Distribution and Monetisation at Scale
Access to the Audioboom Showcase Marketplace
One of the most valuable components of the deal is Crooked Media’s access to Audioboom Showcase, a marketplace connecting podcasts with:
Over 2,000 global brands
International advertising sales partners
Multi-territory campaign opportunities
This infrastructure enables advertisers to run campaigns across regions while allowing Crooked Media to focus on content creation.
Maintaining Editorial Independence
Audioboom has emphasised that Crooked Media will retain full editorial control, a key consideration for political publishers operating in sensitive and polarised environments.
Audioboom’s Vision for Creator-Led Networks
Brendan Regan, Chief Content Officer at Audioboom, said the partnership reflects a shared philosophy between the two companies.
“This partnership highlights our commitment to creator-led networks supported by robust distribution and monetisation infrastructure,” Regan said, adding that it supports Crooked Media’s next phase of growth.
The Growing Importance of Video Podcasting
Audioboom Expands Video Capabilities
The announcement follows recent moves by Audioboom to strengthen its video podcast operations, responding to increased demand across platforms such as:
YouTube
Spotify video
Social media clips and short-form video
New distribution tools introduced by Audioboom are designed to help publishers maximise reach and monetisation in a video-first environment.
Why Video Matters for Political Podcasts
Political audiences increasingly consume content in video format for:
Social sharing
Visual engagement
Multi-platform discovery
This positions Crooked Media to benefit from expanded ad formats and audience growth beyond traditional audio listeners.
What This Means for Advertisers
Advertisers stand to gain from:
Increased inventory during peak election cycles
Access to politically engaged audiences
Cross-platform audio and video campaigns
Global scale with brand-safe environments
The partnership allows brands to tap into trusted political programming without sacrificing reach or targeting capabilities.
Industry Impact: A Sign of Podcasting’s Maturation
This deal reflects broader trends across the podcast industry:
Consolidation of hosting and monetisation services
Increased focus on global distribution
Rising demand for premium political content
Growth of election-driven advertising cycles
As podcasts continue to rival traditional media in influence, partnerships like this signal a shift toward more sophisticated, scalable business models.
Timeline of the Partnership
Effective: Immediately (February 2026)
Duration: Through:
2026 US midterm elections
2028 US presidential election
This timeframe ensures stability and continuity during some of the most commercially valuable periods in political media.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Audioboom and Crooked Media?
With infrastructure, distribution, and monetisation now aligned, both companies are positioned to:
Expand international audiences
Launch new shows and formats
Experiment with video-led podcasting
Maximise advertising revenue during election cycles
The partnership underscores the growing importance of podcasts as a primary channel for political discourse worldwide.
