TORONTO — SiriusXM Canada announced today a new creative programming and strategic agreement between SiriusXM Radio and Audio Up, a Los Angeles-based podcast and audio entertainment production house.
Under the agreement, Audio Up will create new original scripted podcasts for SiriusXM and its audio platforms, including the SXM App and Stitcher, “while also collaborating with SiriusXM to develop new audio entertainment concepts and forge new promotional and distribution synergies across SiriusXM properties, furthering SiriusXM’s place as a leader in podcast hosting, production, distribution, analytics, and monetization,” reads a press release.
The agreement will give SiriusXM “an exclusive ‘first-look’ co-production option for new Audio Up original podcast concepts, with accompanying options for exclusive distribution across SiriusXM properties, as well as exclusive rights to manage and sell advertising inventory and sponsorship in connection with any podcast produced for SiriusXM through its SXM Media combined sales organization,” the release says.
Audio Up also announced today it has completed a $12-million Series B funding round led by SiriusXM. In addition, SiriusXM’s senior vice-president of business affairs and programming operations, Andrew Moss, has joined Audio Up’s board of directors.
“Podcasts have only scratched the surface of their potential as a powerful driver for discovery, and an entertainment medium with virtually no creative boundaries,” said Audio Up CEO and founder Jared Gutstadt, in the press release.
“With the vast reach and wide diversity of listeners that SiriusXM and Stitcher together represent, we not only have a massive new multi-platform outlet for our original programming, but in SiriusXM we have a creative ally who shares our ambitions to keep pushing podcasting forward,” Gutstadt said.
Established by Gutstadt in 2020, Audio Up has built a slate of original scripted audio entertainment featuring marquee names across music (Machine Gun Kelly, 24kGoldn, Miranda Lambert, Nelly), Hollywood (Anthony Anderson, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Alexander, Gary Busey), publishing (James Ellroy, Stephen King), and more.
“Whether it’s inventing a new breed of boundary-breaking original podcasts or developing innovative audio concepts that let brands and creators connect with listeners in new ways, Jared and Audio Up have become the place where talent meets technology,” said Scott Greenstein, president and chief creative officer of SiriusXM.
“Audio Up is known for creating podcasts that combine music, entertainment, and rich storytelling to create bold new listening experiences, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our extended SiriusXM family.”
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