Shots Studios Partners With Cumulus Media to Expand Podcast Network
In a year marked by major shifts across the digital media and podcasting landscape, one partnership has captured the attention of creators, advertisers, and industry analysts alike: Shots Studios is officially expanding its audio footprint through a high-impact collaboration with Cumulus Media, one of the largest audio companies in the United States.
The announcement marks a defining moment not just for Shots’ rapidly growing podcast division, but for the broader creator-driven audio ecosystem — signaling a future where digital-native content houses increasingly blend with legacy distribution powerhouses.
Shots Studios: The Mobile-First Media Powerhouse Reinventing Entertainment
Founded by brothers John and Sam Shahidi, Shots Studios began as a mobile-focused, creator-driven multimedia company specializing in original content crafted for platforms like:
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
Snapchat
As video creators gained influence and YouTube became a dominant force in podcast distribution, Shots Studios naturally evolved — expanding from short-form and mid-form video storytelling into long-form audio content. This expansion ultimately gave birth to the Shots Podcast Network, now one of the fastest-rising podcast collectives in the digital creator space.
The Big Move: Shots Podcast Network Joins the Cumulus Podcast Network
The pivotal announcement confirms that Shots Podcast Network is now an official part of the Cumulus Podcast Network, operated under the Westwood One umbrella. Through this partnership:
Cumulus will distribute, market, and monetize all Shots Podcast Network content.
Shots Studios will retain ownership, creative control, and production oversight of all shows.
Both companies will collaborate to expand reach, advertising opportunities, and multi-platform integrations.
Executives describe the partnership as a scaling accelerator, designed to take digital-native podcasts from viral success to long-term audio institutions.
A Strategic Leap: What the Shahidi Brothers Are Saying
Shots Studios CEO John Shahidi emphasized that this collaboration positions the network for unprecedented growth:
“This partnership with Cumulus is a game-changer. Their infrastructure allows us to amplify our creators and connect with audiences in new ways. We’re excited to grow the Shots Podcast Network and continue pushing boundaries in podcasting.”
For Shahidi, the deal is more than a business move — it is an opportunity to redefine how creator-led audio content competes with legacy media, terrestrial radio, and major podcast publishers.
The Creative Engine: A Look Inside Shots’ Expanding Podcast Portfolio
Shots Studios has built a reputation for shaping influential creator-driven brands, often helping talent transition from viral stardom to sustained multimedia success.
The Shots Podcast Network includes popular and culturally influential shows such as:
Full Send Podcast — Hosted by Kyle Forgeard of the Nelk Boys
One Night with Steiny — Featuring Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg
The Rush with Maxx — Hosted by NFL star Maxx Crosby
Beyond these flagship titles, Shots Studios has been known for developing podcasts and content with high-profile talent including:
The Nelk Boys
Ryan Clark
Fred Taylor
Channing Crowder
Lele Pons
Mike Tyson
Today, the network comprises approximately a dozen active shows, each cultivated through Shots’ signature blend of creator authenticity, high-production value, and sharable, personality-driven storytelling.
Why Cumulus Media Wanted Shots Studios
Cumulus Media — one of America’s largest audio companies and parent of Westwood One — has been carefully expanding its podcasting footprint amidst major industry shake-ups.
According to Collin Jones, President of Westwood One and the Cumulus Podcast Network:
“Shots is one of the most dynamic and influential creator networks in media today. Their fearless approach to content and ability to engage millions of fans makes them a perfect fit for the Cumulus Podcast Network.”
For Cumulus, the partnership arrives at a critical time.
A Recovery Strategy: Replacing Lost Revenue From Major Departures
Cumulus has publicly acknowledged that its podcast division felt financial setbacks this year due to:
The departure of The Daily Wire
The discontinuation of Dan Bongino’s high-performing podcast
The company noted a significant revenue impact, stating that excluding these two losses, Cumulus podcast revenue would have shown 15% growth during Q3.
The addition of Shots Studios is strategically positioned to:
Rebuild audience volume
Attract younger, digitally-engaged listeners
Diversify content genres
Strengthen advertiser appeal
Drive new cross-platform monetization streams
In short: Shots Studios helps modernize the Cumulus portfolio — and fills a gap left by the exit of politically-oriented shows.
The Deeper Analysis: What This Partnership Means for the Podcast Industry
To reach a full long-form article, here is an extended, in-depth analysis of how this partnership impacts creators, advertisers, media strategy, and the evolution of digital audio.
1. The Creator Economy Is Reshaping Legacy Media
Traditionally, major audio networks sought celebrity hosts, news personalities, or talk show veterans. But today, platforms like YouTube and TikTok have birthed an entirely new generation of voices — many with larger followings and deeper engagement than traditional media stars.
Shots Studios has mastered the art of translating:
viral content
lifestyle entertainment
influencer culture
…into monetizable, long-form podcast formats.
Cumulus benefits by tapping into an audience demographic that many legacy networks struggle to reach: Gen Z and younger Millennials, whose listening habits are shaped by social media.
2. Podcasting Is Becoming a Video-First Medium
As YouTube strengthens its grip on podcast consumption, creators who already dominate the platform — including many in the Shots network — have a built-in advantage.
Video podcasts allow:
Visual memes
Viral clips
Cross-platform sharing
Fan community engagement
Merchandise tie-ins
High-value sponsorship slots
Shots already excels in video-first content, making the network highly attractive to advertiser-supported platforms.
3. Advertisers Want Personality-Driven Shows, Not Just Topics
The highest-earning podcasts of 2025 share one trait: personality-driven authenticity.
Shows like Full Send Podcast leverage:
unfiltered conversations
culturally-relevant guests
bold interviews
community loyalty
These traits command premium CPM rates.
For Cumulus, acquiring content with built-in creator loyalty accelerates monetization faster than producing new concept shows from scratch.
4. Platform Consolidation Is Increasing
With Spotify scaling back exclusivity and consolidating shows, and iHeartMedia investing heavily in creator partnerships, this alliance aligns with an industry trend:
Major audio networks must collaborate with digital-native talent houses or risk losing cultural relevance.
5. The Future of Podcasting Is Hybrid Distribution
The Shots–Cumulus deal reflects the new “hybrid era” of podcasting:
Creators control the content.
Legacy networks provide distribution and revenue infrastructure.
Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple amplify reach.
Advertisers fuel expansion.
It’s a three-way ecosystem where each party benefits — and where creativity and reach now matter more than traditional media pedigree.
Conclusion: A Partnership That Redefines Modern Audio Media
By joining forces, Shots Studios and Cumulus Media are creating a powerful new model for podcast collaboration — one that blends creator-driven dynamism with traditional audio infrastructure.
For Shots Studios, the partnership represents a new chapter of scaling influence, expanding distribution, and deepening monetization.
For Cumulus, it offers a chance to rebuild momentum, attract younger listeners, and compete in a rapidly shifting industry.
For the podcast world, it signals a seismic shift — proving that the future of audio belongs to content creators who think boldly, innovate constantly, and build communities at global scale.
