Audiochuck Expands Into TV and Film Production | Crime Junkie Podcast Studio’s Big Move
Audiochuck, the powerhouse behind the wildly popular true-crime podcast Crime Junkie, has announced a bold move into television and film production. The company is launching a dedicated TV and film division, marking a strategic shift from a podcast-first platform into a fully integrated multimedia studio.
The expansion comes shortly after the company finalized a distribution partnership with the streaming platform Tubi, setting the stage for a broader push into screen-based storytelling. With millions of loyal listeners worldwide and a rapidly growing library of original content, Audiochuck’s entry into television and film reflects the growing influence of podcast storytelling across the global entertainment ecosystem.
Industry insiders believe this move could reshape how podcast intellectual property is adapted for visual media, particularly in the true-crime genre, where Audiochuck already commands one of the most dedicated audiences online.
The Strategic Shift: From Podcast Network to Vertically Integrated Studio
Audiochuck’s latest announcement signals its intention to evolve beyond traditional podcast production and become a vertically integrated content studio capable of developing, producing, and distributing stories across multiple formats.
This new strategy will allow the company to:
Acquire high-quality intellectual property (IP)
Develop original stories for television and film
Adapt existing podcast franchises for global streaming audiences
Build an internal pipeline for multimedia storytelling
Expand its global reach beyond audio platforms
The expansion represents a natural progression for Audiochuck, which has spent the past several years building one of the most powerful storytelling brands in podcasting.
According to company leadership, the goal is to translate the same narrative intensity, investigative depth, and emotional engagement that fans love in podcasts into high-quality screen productions.
CEO Matt Starker Outlines the Vision for Audiochuck’s Next Chapter
Audiochuck CEO Matt Starker described the move as a logical next step in the company’s growth trajectory.
He emphasized that the studio has already built a strong foundation in storytelling and audience engagement through its podcasts.
“Audiochuck has built one of the strongest franchise engines in podcasting,” Starker said while discussing the company’s future plans. “Expanding into television and film is the next step in our evolution.”
According to Starker, the company’s long-term strategy focuses on:
Expanding its storytelling universe across media platforms
Leveraging its existing intellectual property for visual adaptations
Developing new original content tailored for streaming platforms
Maintaining high editorial and storytelling standards
The company believes its loyal fan base will play a crucial role in the success of its upcoming visual productions.
Industry Veteran Matt Shanfield Joins as Head of Television and Film
To lead the newly created division, Audiochuck has appointed Matt Shanfield as the company’s first Head of Television and Film.
Shanfield brings extensive experience from the television industry, most recently working with Sony Pictures Television’s nonfiction division, where he served as Executive Vice President of Development at The Intellectual Property Corporation.
His career includes involvement in several well-known projects and productions, including:
Executive producing the documentary series “Secrets of Playboy”
Development work on the upcoming Netflix nonfiction series “CLUE”
Producing episodes of the reality-investment show “Shark Tank”
With expertise across multiple genres—including documentary, nonfiction, and reality television—Shanfield is expected to play a key role in adapting Audiochuck’s podcast library for screen audiences.
Building a Bridge Between Podcast IP and Global Streaming Platforms
One of Shanfield’s primary responsibilities will be transforming Audiochuck’s extensive catalog of stories into television-ready formats.
The company’s library includes dozens of investigative and narrative-driven podcasts that already function like serialized storytelling—making them ideal for adaptation into:
Documentary series
Crime dramas
Investigative television programs
Streaming docu-series
Feature-length documentaries
Shanfield will also oversee the acquisition of external intellectual property, ensuring that the studio can develop projects beyond its internal podcast portfolio.
Industry analysts say this hybrid strategy—combining original podcast adaptations with newly acquired IP—could give Audiochuck a competitive edge in the crowded streaming market.
Shanfield Calls the Opportunity a “Dream Scenario”
Shanfield himself expressed enthusiasm about joining the rapidly growing company and building its new production unit from the ground up.
He highlighted Audiochuck’s unique relationship with its audience and the storytelling potential embedded in its existing content library.
According to Shanfield, few companies have achieved the same level of listener loyalty and engagement as Audiochuck.
He described the opportunity as a rare chance to build a premium production ecosystem centered around authentic storytelling.
In his view, the goal is not simply adapting podcasts into visual formats but creating a complete storytelling universe capable of competing on the global stage.
The Growing Trend: Podcasts Becoming Television and Film
Audiochuck’s move reflects a broader trend within the entertainment industry: popular podcasts increasingly serving as the foundation for television and film projects.
In recent years, several successful screen productions have originated from podcasts, including crime dramas, investigative series, and narrative documentaries.
This trend exists for several reasons:
Podcasts already test audience interest in a story
They provide built-in fan bases
Serialized audio storytelling often translates well to episodic television
Production companies gain access to developed narratives and characters
For streaming platforms competing in the global content race, podcast adaptations represent low-risk, high-engagement storytelling opportunities.
Audiochuck’s expansion positions the company to capitalize on this rapidly growing sector.
The Role of the Tubi Partnership in Audiochuck’s Expansion
Audiochuck’s television ambitions gained momentum after the company secured a distribution agreement with Tubi, the ad-supported streaming platform owned by Fox.
The deal allows the streaming service to distribute visual adaptations of Ashley Flowers’ hit podcast “Crime Junkie.”
Under the partnership:
Tubi will host screen-based adaptations of Crime Junkie
Additional Audiochuck titles will be added later in the year
The partnership expands Audiochuck’s reach into streaming audiences
Tubi’s growing user base makes it a strategic partner for the company’s transition into video content.
As streaming platforms compete for original programming, partnerships like this provide new storytelling channels for podcast creators.
Ashley Flowers and the Rise of the Crime Junkie Phenomenon
No discussion of Audiochuck’s success would be complete without mentioning Ashley Flowers, the creator and host of Crime Junkie.
Since its launch, the podcast has become one of the most recognizable true-crime shows in the world.
Key milestones of the franchise include:
Millions of weekly downloads
A massive global fan community
Chart-topping rankings across podcast platforms
Live tours and sold-out events
The storytelling format—focused on real criminal cases presented with investigative detail and emotional depth—has resonated deeply with listeners.
This popularity makes Crime Junkie one of the most promising candidates for adaptation into television and film.
Audiochuck’s Expanding Library of True-Crime and Investigative Shows
Beyond Crime Junkie, Audiochuck has built an impressive catalog of podcasts covering various aspects of crime, mystery, and investigative storytelling.
The company has produced more than 20 podcast series, many of which have strong followings and could potentially be adapted for television.
Some of the most notable titles include:
Popular Audiochuck Podcasts
The Deck – A show examining cold cases using playing cards distributed to prisons to generate leads
So Supernatural – A series exploring unexplained mysteries and paranormal phenomena
Dark Downeast – Stories focusing on crimes from New England communities
Park Predators – A chilling podcast investigating crimes that occurred in national parks
Each series offers unique storytelling potential for screen adaptations, particularly in the documentary and investigative formats that streaming audiences love.
Why True Crime Continues to Dominate Streaming Platforms
True crime has emerged as one of the most successful genres across modern media platforms, including podcasts, documentaries, and television dramas.
Streaming platforms have embraced the genre because it consistently attracts viewers.
Several factors explain this popularity:
Real-life cases create emotional investment
Audiences enjoy investigative storytelling
The format works well in episodic series
Crime narratives often spark online discussion and community engagement
By expanding into television and film, Audiochuck is positioning itself at the center of a multi-billion-dollar content trend.
The Competitive Landscape: Podcast Studios Moving Into Hollywood
Audiochuck is not the only podcast network exploring Hollywood opportunities.
Several other podcast companies have begun adapting their stories into films and television series.
However, Audiochuck stands out for three major reasons:
Massive existing audience built through Crime Junkie
Deep library of original intellectual property
Strong brand recognition in the true-crime genre
With these advantages, the company may have a smoother path toward successful adaptations than many competitors.
A New Model for Content Creation
The company’s expansion into television and film also highlights a broader transformation in the media industry.
Traditional entertainment pipelines once flowed in a single direction—from studios to audiences.
Today, storytelling ecosystems are more interconnected than ever.
In Audiochuck’s case, the pipeline now looks like this:
Podcast Story → Audience Validation → Screen Adaptation → Streaming Distribution
This model reduces creative risk while maximizing audience engagement.
What Fans Can Expect in the Coming Years
Although Audiochuck has not yet announced specific television or film titles, several developments are likely in the near future.
Fans can expect:
Visual adaptations of popular podcast episodes
New documentary-style series based on true-crime investigations
Original scripted dramas inspired by real cases
Collaborations with streaming platforms
Given the company’s storytelling reputation, expectations are high for its upcoming projects.
The Future of Audiochuck in the Global Entertainment Market
With its expansion into television and film, Audiochuck is positioning itself as more than just a podcast company.
It is becoming a multiplatform storytelling studio capable of producing content for audio, video, and digital audiences worldwide.
If successful, this transition could transform Audiochuck into one of the most influential storytelling brands in the entertainment industry.
The move also reinforces the growing influence of podcast creators in shaping modern media.
Final Thoughts
Audiochuck’s decision to launch a dedicated television and film division marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of podcast-driven entertainment.
By leveraging its strong audience base, extensive intellectual property library, and experienced leadership team, the company is preparing to compete in the rapidly expanding world of streaming content.
As audiences continue to demand compelling true-crime storytelling, Audiochuck’s next chapter could redefine how podcasts evolve into global entertainment franchises.
For fans of Crime Junkie and investigative storytelling, the transition from headphones to screens may just be beginning.
