Overview
- Disney and iHeartMedia announced the licensing pact on Aug. 10, and Hey Jonas! will debut on Disney+ and Hulu on Aug. 14 with a Camp Rock 3 episode and live segments at D23.
- The agreement covers six iHeartPodcasts — Hey Jonas!, Pod Meets World, Desperately Devoted, Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald, StraightioLab, and Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim — with Pod Meets World arriving on Disney+ Aug. 24 and Desperately Devoted streaming on Hulu Nov. 2.
- New video episodes for the included shows will be released weekly as part of a staggered rollout that places rewatch and fan-focused series on Disney+ and mostly Hulu this fall.
- Disney executives framed the move as a way to bring viewers closer to creators and fan communities, while iHeartMedia highlighted the platforms’ reach; both companies declined to disclose financial terms of the deal.
- The move follows a wider industry trend of streamers using video podcast formats to boost daytime and mobile engagement and extends Disney’s existing library of licensed, companion and rewatch podcasts.