Collaboration Comprises Five Greenlit Audio Series: “Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay,” “Rebel Spirit with Akilah Hughes,” and “What Future w. Joshua Topolsky” along with Two Upcoming Scripted Comedy Projects from iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players

LOS ANGELES | July 18, 2023 – Mosaic Media’s innovative podcast production company Ninth Planet Audio and iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, announced today a two-year first-look deal on all projects developed by Ninth Planet Audio. The deal will include production of at least two podcasts each year, including scripted comedy projects with iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players podcast network.

“iHeartMedia and Big Money Players Network have been phenomenal partners in developing and producing our current slate of podcast programming, including the popular What Future w. Joshua Topolsky and several soon-to-be-released audio series,” said Mosaic’s Principal Jimmy Miller. “We are looking forward to the launch of fresh, captivating content to engage with iHeart’s devoted audiences and reach new listeners through our expanded slate of innovative programming.”

Upcoming podcast projects already in production from Ninth Planet Audio with iHeartMedia include the comedy murder mystery “Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay,” the thought-provoking interview series “Rebel Spirit with Akilah Hughes,” and released late last year, their current podcast coproduction, “What Future w. Joshua Topolsky.” Two upcoming scripted comedy projects with Big Money Players will also be added to the slate early next year.

“With a captivating range of stories on the horizon – from a trusty assistant tasked with solving his boss’ murder, to a comedian’s return to high school in the wake of racism, to a digital media authority’s thought provoking sit-downs with cultural luminaries – this partnership promises to take our listeners on an unforgettable journey of storytelling they will love,” said Ninth Planet Audio Podcast Executive Elizabeth Baquet. “Now with our multi-year deal, I’m thrilled to see where this collaboration will take us next.”

“Our collaboration with Ninth Planet has been an incredible success, and we’re thrilled to expand upon this to bring more captivating shows to our audiences,” says Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “Now, more than ever, people are looking to connect with new entertaining content to bring into their daily routine. That kind of captivating content is exactly Ninth Planet’s wheelhouse, and we look forward to working together to develop these unique shows for listeners everywhere.”

New and upcoming projects from Ninth Planet Audio and iHeartMedia include:

• DOES THIS MURDER MAKE ME LOOK GAY?

Written and Directed by Ted Malawer

Vandy Jeremiah Monroe III knows two things for sure: high-heeled Crocs are a hate crime, and one of his best friends—aka his mortal enemies—is trying to kill him. But when he invites these saggy, sassy bitches (and potential suspects) to his mansion to suss out the culprit, he’s dead faster than a touring Elphaba cracks on Defying Gravity. Can his trusty gay assistant solve the murder before it’s too gay? Everyone has a motive. Everyone has a secret. And Patti LuPone is stuck in the basement. Allegedly.

• REBEL SPIRIT W. AKILAH HUGHES

Join writer, comedian, actress, and renowned podcast host Akilah Hughes as she embarks on a personal journey back to her high school in hopes of changing the current racist school mascot, The Boone County Rebels, into a symbol that everyone loves, The Bonne County Biscuits. Through engaging conversations and comedic observations, Akilah shares her own personal experiences while highlighting the problem of racist school mascots across the country.

• WHAT FUTURE W. JOSHUA TOPOLSKY

Join Joshua Topolsky, co-creator of Vox Media and founder of The Verge, as he embarks on a journey to chronicle the thoughts of some of today’s most intriguing experts and big thinkers in podcast form. With guests ranging from Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse Productions and producer of Paranormal Activity, the most profitable horror movie of all time, to David Holz, CEO of AI art generator Midjourney, to Jia Tolentino, author and staff writer at The New Yorker, and Emmy-nominated multi-platform storyteller Baratunde Thurston, everyone will find something here to pique their curiosity.

About Mosaic Media

Mosaic is a management and production company based in Los Angeles representing a range of clients from actors like Will Ferrell, Jessica Chastain, Tessa Thompson, and Kumail Nanjiani to writers and directors like Judd Apatow, Jay Roach, and Barry Sonnenfeld. Mosaic’s production arm has produced film and TV including TALLADEGA NIGHTS, STEPBROTHERS, BAD TEACHER, DOWNWARD DOG, and WEIRD CITY.

About Ninth Planet Audio

Ninth Planet Audio is a podcast production company launched by Mosaic Media focused on producing premium original series for all audio platforms. The company has a diverse slate of shows in various stages of production and development spanning true crime, to docuseries, to scripted comedy, all of which feature compelling storytelling and powerful voices.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, and has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

About Big Money Players Network

Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network, in partnership with iHeartRadio, is the premiere destination for comedy podcasts and home to top comedic talent across a variety of formats and styles. In addition to “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” BMP features long-running hits like “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” alongside the twice-weekly catch-up show “The Nikki Glaser Podcast,” the award-winning “Films To Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein,” and more from comedians including Amber Ruffin, Ellie Kemper, and Eric Andre.