iHeartMedia Inc.

09/20/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2021 16:52

iHeartMedia Announces New True-Crime Podcast Slate with KT-Studios

iHeartMedia Announces New True-Crime Podcast Slate with KT-Studios

"The Dougherty Gang" debuts today kicking off iHeartMedia and KT-Studios production and content partnership

NEW YORK - September 20, 2021 - iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced a new iHeartPodcast slate of true-crime shows in collaboration with KT-Studios, a full-service television production and podcast company. This announcement follows KT-Studios and iHeartMedia's first venture together in the true-crime podcasting space, "The Piketon Massacre," which received special notoriety for its second season becoming the No. 1 podcast across all categories with nearly 17 million listeners in the first few weeks of airing.

"iHeartMedia is excited to join forces with KT-Studios to co-produce this brilliant new slate of true-crime podcasts," said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. "We've seen incredible success with KT-Studios and are excited to offer listeners a full slate of new podcasts that delve into everything from unsolved murders to some of the most bizarre crimes in the name of love."

The new slate will debut today with "The Dougherty Gang." The explosive 12-episode limited series delves into the infamous story of three siblings in their 20s - two brothers and a sister - who notoriously went on an eight-day, fifteen-state, AK-47-wielding, bank-robbing journey in 2011. Executive produced by television creator, developer and producer Stephanie Lydecker, founder and President of KT Studios and Courtney Armstrong, Chief Creative Officer of KT-Studios. Lydecker and Armstrong, along with Vice President of Development Jeff Shane, produced the hit podcast "The Piketon Massacre," the podcast recounts the complex circumstances that kicked off this crime spree, how they averted local, state and federal agents along the way, and later, tells of their lives in prison. Listeners can hear the first episode of "The Dougherty Gang" now on iHeartRadio and all major podcast listening platforms. New episodes will become available each Monday.

Additional shows set to join the new slate of podcasts will include:

  • "Crazy in Love" - Hosted by a revolving stable of experts, "Crazy In Love" dives into the complex and contentious real-life stories of people who went to murderous lengths in the name of love. Romantic love, motherly, brotherly and sisterly love, bestie bonds and lusty love. Each week explores a new crime, told through a combination of interviews, news footage and narration. The 48-episode podcast features stories from across the country and is set to launch this November.
  • "Death Island" - Listeners will become engrossed in the captivating details behind the mysterious deaths that have taken place on a beautiful vacation destination in Thailand. Tourists from all over the world visit for the pristine beaches and crystal clear water, but beneath the surface lies something sinister. Since 2006, at least 19 tourists have died mysteriously on the island. Theories on the causes have run the gamut from mafia rule to a serial killer family. One thing is certain: in this beautiful place, no coast is clear. The 12-episode limited-series podcast will debut first quarter of 2022.

"This true-crime slate is an exciting addition to the thriller podcast world," said Stephanie Lydecker, CEO and founder of KT-Studios. "The shows dive into mysterious and untold true-crime stories that will leave listeners spooked and seeking more answers. The support from the iHeartMedia team has been nothing less than extraordinary and we're thrilled to introduce these stories to loyal, true-crime listeners everywhere."

All shows on the new slate will be distributed by The iHeartPodcast Network and will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About KT-Studios

KT Studios is a full-service development and production company specializing in creating, developing and producing innovative content for all platforms - including unscripted television, podcast, documentary film and other digital media. Our current series include: Injustice with Nancy Grace (Oxygen), The Piketon Family Murders (Oxygen), The Piketon Massacre Podcast (iHeartMedia), The Masked Singer Podcast (Fox) and more. Notably, The Piketon Massacre Podcast season 2 became the #1 podcast in the country and was lauded as one of the best podcasts of the year.

We have a variety of upcoming / yet to be announced projects including: multiple two-hour documentaries for streaming platforms, a true crime series for a major cable network, a five podcast deal for a total of 132 episodes and two new series for digital streaming networks. KT Studios is represented by WME.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month. It consists of three business groups.

With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. Its leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 860 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; its National Sales organization; and the company's live and virtual events business. It also includes Premiere Networks, the industry's largest Networks business, with its Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN); and BIN: Black Information Network, the first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service for the Black community. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products using data from its massive consumer base.

The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company's fast-growing podcasting business -- iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings -- as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company's digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

The company's Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation's largest media representation company, and RCS, the world's leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.

Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.