Ashley Flowers ‘Crime Junkie’ Podcast Coming Inks Tubi Multiyear Pact

Tubi Ventures into Podcast Territory with Exclusive Deal with Audiochuck

Tubi, a division of Fox Corp., has made its first foray into the world of podcasts by striking a multiyear deal with Audiochuck, the brainchild of Ashley Flowers. This groundbreaking agreement grants Tubi exclusive distribution and ad sales rights to popular shows like “Crime Junkie,” which has consistently held the top spot in the true-crime podcast genre.

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, the deal is estimated to be worth around $150 million. As part of the partnership, Tubi will develop a dedicated “Crime Junkie” FAST channel to be available on Tubi, Fox One subscription service, and other third-party platforms. Additionally, viewers can access an on-demand collection of video podcast episodes. Red Seat Ventures, a subsidiary of Tubi Media Group, will take over the management of ad sales for Audiochuck’s suite of programs and podcasts.

While “Crime Junkie” and other Audiochuck shows will remain accessible on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, the Tubi deal marks the end of Audiochuck’s distribution and sales agreement with SiriusXM, which was originally inked in 2021 and slated to run until 2025.

Apart from “Crime Junkie,” Audiochuck boasts a lineup of over 20 weekly and seasonal shows, including hits like “The Deck,” “Counter Clock,” “Park Predators,” and “Dark Downeast.” With a claimed monthly listenership of over 10 million and an impressive 2 million listeners per episode, Audiochuck has solidified its position as a major player in the podcasting arena.

Earlier this year, Audiochuck secured a $40 million investment from The Chernin Group, marking its first external funding round. This funding round valued the Indianapolis-based company at approximately $250 million. Majority-owned by Ashley Flowers, Audiochuck also counts TCG as a minority shareholder.

Paul Cheesbrough, CEO of Tubi Media Group, expressed his excitement about the partnership, praising Audiochuck for its commitment to impactful storytelling. He lauded the company’s achievements and highlighted the potential for growth and innovation through their collaboration.

Founded in 2017 by Ashley Flowers, Audiochuck specializes in producing true crime and mystery content. Their flagship podcast, “Crime Junkie,” co-hosted by Flowers and Brit Prawat, has garnered accolades and emerged as a top performer in the genre. The brand is backed by a dedicated team of writers, fact-checkers, researchers, and editors who delve into over 50 cases at any given time.

Ashley Flowers, the creative force behind Audiochuck, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership with Tubi, emphasizing the opportunity to redefine the storytelling experience for true crime enthusiasts across audio and video platforms. Matt Starker, CEO of Audiochuck, echoed her sentiments, highlighting the potential to reimagine storytelling in the true crime genre.

In the coming week, Audiochuck is set to launch its latest show, “Chameleon,” in collaboration with Campside Media. This new weekly podcast promises to delve into the intriguing world of deception and identity fraud, shedding light on the stories of scammers and con artists.

Beyond producing compelling content, Audiochuck has also made a significant impact in the community. The company claims to have raised over $8.5 million in donations for local organizations supporting crime victims. Furthermore, their efforts have reportedly led to the resolution of six cold cases with the help of their dedicated community. Ashley Flowers’ nonprofit organization, Season of Justice, has played a pivotal role in assisting investigative agencies and families in solving cold cases.

The Tubi-Audiochuck partnership signals a new chapter in the podcasting landscape, blending innovative storytelling with commercial expertise to captivate audiences and drive engagement. As the podcast industry continues to evolve, this collaboration sets a precedent for future endeavors in the realm of audio and video content creation.