iHeartMedia and TikTok launched TikTok Radio from iHeart on Friday (March 13), extending a partnership between the two companies that began last November into broadcast territory.<\/p>\n
The new station went live on the iHeartRadio<\/b> app and across 28 broadcast stations throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Miami and more.<\/p>\n
The station’s programming format is built around TikTok’s discovery engine and iHeart\u2019s programming expertise, according to the joint announcement. Signature segments include a weekly countdown of TikTok’s 10 biggest songs including the story and artist behind the music, trending topics, new music highlights on Fridays, and a slot dedicated to \u201cartists On the Verge of breaking into the charts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The launch was broadcast from the iHeartPodcast<\/b> Hotel<\/b> at SXSW in Austin, where a rotating group of TikTok creators joined the on-air lineup live. Creators including Grace Wells, Madison Tevlin, <\/b>and Eric Sede\u00f1o <\/b>were among those who appeared at the launch event.<\/p>\n
The launch of TikTok Radio through iHeart effectively ends TikTok\u2019s relationship with SiriusXM<\/b>. In 2021, TikTok launched<\/a> TikTok<\/b> Radio<\/b>, described at the time as a full-time SiriusXM music channel.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, TikTok also announced the inaugural lineup of shows for the TikTok Podcast Network<\/b>, which was first announced in November 2025, but had not yet revealed its full creator slate. Five podcasts were named, each hosted by a TikTok personality with an established following on the platform.<\/p>\n Lele Pons <\/b><\/a>will host Suite 305<\/b>, described as an \u201cunfiltered slumber party,\u201d while fashion editor Caroline Vazzana<\/b><\/a> will host Caroline’s Closet<\/b>, focused on the fashion industry. Two sports-oriented shows are also part of the slate: Sports<\/b> Slice<\/b>, hosted by Tim Martin<\/b><\/a>, and The Clifford Show<\/b>, from former college football player Clifford Taylor IV<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n Carter<\/b> Gregory<\/b><\/a>, a music executive, will host The Set List<\/b>, a backstage-access format centered on conversations with artists.<\/p>\n Back in November, TikTok said<\/a> TikTok Podcast Network<\/b> will <\/b>feature up to 25 podcasts hosted by\u00a0TikTok<\/b>\u00a0creators. To support production, iHeartMedia is opening co-branded studios in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, equipped with audio and video infrastructure, TikTok said at the time.<\/p>\n GEICO<\/b> signed on as the exclusive launch partner for the TikTok Podcast Network.<\/p>\n \u201cThis next chapter of our multiplatform partnership with TikTok unlocks the full power of both ecosystems \u2013 creators, broadcast radio, podcasts, live moments and social \u2013 all working together in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n Tom<\/b> Poleman<\/b>, iHeartMedia<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Commenting on the new partnership, Tom<\/b> Poleman<\/b>, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia, said: \u201cThis next chapter of our multiplatform partnership with TikTok unlocks the full power of both ecosystems \u2013 creators, broadcast radio, podcasts, live moments and social \u2013 all working together in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis station is built to feel like a living, breathing For You Feed\u00ad\u2013 a place where creators, music fans and our on-air talent collide in real time to shape what\u2019s next in culture. From live broadcasts at SXSW to creator-led podcasts and trend driven radio programming, we\u2019re merging the best of our platforms to amplify creators, elevate emerging voices and deliver fans a 360 degree experience across audio, video and live moments.\u201d<\/p>\n TikTok\u2019s renewed focus on podcasts comes as major streaming companies double down on the format. Earlier in March, Spotify<\/strong> partnered<\/a> with HYBE<\/strong> to put original K-pop video podcasts on the streaming platform. The first show under the partnership will debut on March 23.<\/p>\n In January, Spotify launched a new studio dedicated for podcasts in Hollywood. It follows the\u00a0launch<\/a>\u00a0of its Los Angeles creative hub in December 2021, spanning\u00a0155,000<\/b><\/a>\u00a0square feet and features studios to record music, podcasts and videos, and host events.<\/p>\n Spotify now operates podcast studios in New York, Stockholm, and London in addition to its two Los Angeles locations. The company chose Hollywood for its new studio, describing Los Angeles as \u201ca global center for storytelling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n