Dan Patrick and the iHeartRadio team will again select 10 up-and-coming creators to produce pilot episodes; fans will vote for one to become The Next Great Podcast to join The iHeartPodcast Network

Listen to inaugural winners Lianna Holston and Siena Jeakle’s podcast “Tossed Popcorn” now

Los Angeles and New York – August 24, 2021 – iHeartRadio, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, and award-winning, multiplatform broadcaster Dan Patrick announced today the second annual search for The Next Great Podcast. Launched last year in collaboration with content creation platform Tongal, the inaugural initiative received nearly 1,800 submissions from creators of all ages from Albania to Zimbabwe and all geographies between. Beginning today through September 17, 2021, creators around the world can once again pitch for the chance to produce a new podcast series of any genre—from comedy to true crime, sports to pop culture—and to work with The iHeartPodcast Network and Patrick to launch the new series. Fans can check out the winning 2020 creators Lianna Holston and Siena Jeakle’s “Tossed Popcorn,” a new movie review podcast from a pair of friends who “don’t really like movies," which debuted earlier this month.

“Our first year of The Next Greatest Podcast exceeded my wildest expectations,” said Dan Patrick. “What I most love from our contest is the incredible diversity of voices and range of stories that our amazing fans submitted from across the planet. I know that our second year is going to be just as incredible as the first. The Danettes and I can’t wait to hear them. ”

“Partnering with iHeartRadio to discover and develop another breakthrough podcast will connect our diverse community of creators with access to a career-defining opportunity,” said James DeJulio, Tongal Co-Founder and CEO. “There is skyrocketing demand for original content and storytelling in today’s entertainment ecosystem and Tongal’s platform democratizes access to exciting opportunities like this for creators.”

Creators will be asked to submit a short synopsis and treatment that describes their podcast idea, along with links to past work and an optional audio trailer and pitch video. Pitches will be narrowed down by a panel of podcasters, led by head judge and legendary broadcaster Dan Patrick, and 10 semifinalists will be awarded $1,000 to further develop their idea into a 10-minute pilot. These pilots will be shared on “The Next Great Podcast” feed in the fall for fans everywhere to listen and vote. One will be crowned “The Next Great Podcast,” featured on iHeartRadio stations across the country and work closely with Patrick and iHeartRadio’s team of expert podcast producers to develop their podcast into an original series for distribution by The iHeartPodcast Network.

“Podcasting as a creative medium and launch pad for new talent continues to thrive,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer of The iHeartPodcast Network. “After the impressive results from last year that brought us ‘Tossed Popcorn’s’ fresh approach on movie reviews, we are excited to collaborate for a second year with Tongal to reach their impressive community of creatives as we search for 2021’s next great podcast.”

Creators can go to NextGreatPodcast.com to apply and learn more.

About Dan Patrick

Dan Patrick is one of America's legendary sports journalists and a revered member of the national media industry. In 2020, he was inducted into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame. Winning the 2018 and 2012 Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year, “The Dan Patrick Show” is known for extensive A-list interviews from the world of sports entertainment. Nationally syndicated by FOX Sports Radio, the program airs on more than 360 stations nationwide. For his work on the program, Patrick was nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. In August 2020, Patrick signed a deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock to add a live, free video stream of The Dan Patrick Show. Patrick also signed a deal with iHeartMedia in 2020 to launch The Dan Patrick Podcast Network, featuring a slate of iHeartRadio original podcasts co-produced by Patrick, iHeartRadio and Workhouse Media, including: “Westward,” “Two Guys From Hollywood” and “Meeting Tom Cruise.” Additionally, Patrick has begun the second season of the Amazon Original podcast, “That Scene with Dan Patrick.”

About Tongal

Tongal is the ultimate platform for content creation that gives networks, studios, and brands access to a global community of creators to simplify and scale content development. The company connects the best and brightest creative talent to opportunities in a virtual online production studio that facilitates remote work and collaboration. Tongal's product and technology power the entire creative process end to end to bring undiscovered, great ideas to life through branded content, original content and advertising made on the Tongal platform. Tongal is backed by Endeavor and Insight Partners.