‘SmartLess’ Podcast Moves to SiriusXM in $100M Multiyear Deal

Caitlin Huston
·2 min read
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SiriusXM has acquired certain exclusive rights to the popular podcast SmartLess, hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, in a multiyear agreement.

As part of the deal, which is said to be over $100 million, according to sources familiar with the matter, SiriusXM will provide exclusive content from the podcast for its subscribers, including early access to new episodes of SmartLess and SmartLess Media podcasts Just Jack & Will, Bad Dates and Owned. The majority of the SmartLess library will also be available only on SiriusXM.

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The deal begins late this summer. SmartLess launched in July 2020 and Amazon’s Wondery acquired exclusive rights to the podcast in June 2021 for a three-year deal. The podcast was in the top 10 most popular podcasts globally on Chartable last week and has featured guests such as President Joe Biden, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Greta Gerwig, Idris Elba, Pedro Pascal and Selena Gomez. SmartLess is produced by Michael Grant Terry, Bennett Barbakow and Rob Amjärv.

SiriusXM will also have access to exclusive global ad sales rights to SmartLess, as well as select SmartLess Media shows including Just Jack & Will, Bad Dates and Owned.

“At SiriusXM, we are proud to be home to the stars, and with Jason, Sean and Will joining us, that statement has never been more true. Over the past several years, we have doubled down on our commitment to podcasting, and with the addition of SmartLess, we are strengthening our leadership position in podcasting,” said Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer, SiriusXM. “This groundbreaking new collaboration showcases our power to drive growth for an established podcast while bringing unique value back to our subscribers through exclusive content and events. I’m looking forward to new SmartLess listeners discovering this one-of-a-kind trio’s inimitable style on SiriusXM, and for current fans to see what magic happens when we team up together.”

CAA brokered the SmartLess Media deal.

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