Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia Celebrate Three Years of Excellence at The Black Effect Podcast Network

NEW YORK - October 9, 2023 - Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia celebrate the third anniversary of The Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia teamed up in 2020 to launch the network with the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s largest podcast publisher dedicated to Black listeners, bringing together the most influential and trusted voices in Black culture for stimulating conversations around social justice, pop culture, sports, mental health, news, comedy and more.

Three years into its mission, The Black Effect has cemented itself as the premiere destination for Black talent and Black listeners, launching over 30 exceptional shows – including “Carefully Reckless,” “All The Smoke,” and “Reasonably Shady” – that cover a wide range of topics and amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Ten of these shows are on the top podcast charts in recognition of their exceptional storytelling and impact.

“As we celebrate three years of The Black Effect Podcast Network, we honor the power of representation, the resilience of our community, and the unwavering commitment to truth and excellence,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “Together, we’ve amplified voices and paved the way for a future where our narratives flourish.”

Some of The Black Effect’s other notable accomplishments, under the leadership of co-founder Charlamagne Tha God and President of Production and Creative Development Dollie S. Bishop, include:

  • Building powerful brand partnerships and collaborating with major consumer brands like AT&T, Nissan, State Farm, American Express, and Molson indicates the trust and respect The Black Effect has earned in the industry.
  • Successful events that highlight vital voices and perspectives, including the inaugural Black Effect Podcast Festival, which brought together a vibrant community of thousands of podcast creators and enthusiasts to celebrate the power of storytelling, and the Thrill of Possibility Summit, in partnership with Nissan, which brought together 50 HBCU students in STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) for a weekend of networking with Nissan employees, Black Effect podcast talent and culturally relevant Black voices.
  • 800 million+ downloads and over 2.3 million monthly listeners, a testament to the profound impact The Black Effect Podcast Network has had on our listeners, communities, and society at large.

“These milestones reflect The Black Effect Podcast Network’s commitment to excellence and its tremendous impact on the podcasting landscape,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As we look to the future, we're excited to continue pushing boundaries, elevating diverse voices, and making a difference through our content – and we want to congratulate and thank Charlamagne, Dollie, and the entire Black Effect Podcast Network team for their unwavering commitment and passion.”

The Black Effect Podcast Network is available on the iHeartRadio app, iHeart.com, and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About The Black Effect Podcast Network
The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God and in a historic joint venture with the world’s number one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia, Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the most essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, politics, entertainment, sports and pop culture. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative vision have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform, and empower.

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 500 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.