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The award-winning producer and writer Shonda Rhimes will executive produce the new slate of iHeartRadio Originals distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network 

NEW YORK – October 16, 2019 – Shondaland, founded by award-winning television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes, is taking storytelling to audio by partnering with ����������Ƶ, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, to launch Shondaland Audio. The agreement includes a full slate of iHeartRadio Original Podcasts set to release over the next three years as part of the iHeartPodcast Network. Rhimes will oversee development and Sandie Bailey, Chief Digital and Design Officer, will manage day-to-day operations as the company introduces a mix of incredible talent and stories to hundreds of millions of podcast listeners across the country.

“Podcasting continues to see tremendous growth and I’m excited to partner with ����������Ƶ as Shondaland expands its storytelling journey into this medium which has seemed to usher in a unique sense of boldness, intimacy and connection,” Rhimes said. “With ����������Ƶ we aim to share stories that are engaging, insightful, and reflect a robust world-view while staying true to the authentic storytelling voice that has become synonymous with Shondaland.”

In 2017, Shondaland began broadening its digital footprint with the launch of website and later entered podcast territory with “,” a weekly podcast following “Scandal” and “Waitress” actress Katie Lowes where she shared intimate conversations about the joys, pains, and hilarity of new motherhood with guests. New episodes of the podcast will be a part of the Shondaland Audio slate next year.  

“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest storytellers of our time,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “We’re honored that she’s chosen the iHeartPodcast Network to extend her storytelling craft to audio, bringing a massive slate of new original podcasts to the world. With our unparalleled reach across multiple platforms, we can’t wait to introduce the incredibly engaging and brilliant Shondaland podcasts to millions of listeners.”

����������Ƶ has continued to invest heavily in podcasting, from acquiring HowStuffWorks in 2018 to producing an ongoing slate of new iHeartRadio Original shows like “,” “,” “,” “” and “,” as well as fostering over a hundred shows from its on-air talent like the popular “” and “” radio show podcasts. These shows are distributed on all major podcast platforms, including the , which additionally distributes more than 280,000 shows.

About Shondaland

Shondaland is the pioneering storytelling company founded by award-winning writer and producer Shonda Rhimes. The company has produced the television series "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice," "Scandal," "How To Get Away With Murder," "For The People" and "Station 19” for ABC. Through the company’s unprecedented shift to streaming, it is producing content exclusively for Netflix including upcoming series “Bridgerton,” “Inventing Anna” and “Notes on Love.” In recent years the company has expanded into other divisions including launching the website Shondaland.com, part of the Hearst Digital Networks, and Shondaland Audio, part of the iHeartPodcast Network. The company is rooted in the ideals of creating content that changes culture, changes perceptions and writes the future.