Global, the UK’s largest Radio and Outdoor media company, has signed an exclusive platform distribution and ad sales deal with iHeartMedia.

Under the exclusive deal, Global and iHeartMedia will license, distribute and represent each other’s chart-topping Podcast portfolios.

In the UK, iHeartPodcasts will be available on Global Player and via DAX, Global’s market leading digital advertising exchange. iHeartPodcasts adds millions of downloads to Global Player and the DAX network.

Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group, said: “Podcasting has exploded as the newest mass-reach medium in the US, with more than 120 million Americans a month now listening – and now the opportunity for global growth is huge. As more international listeners engage with hit iHeartPodcasts every month, this is a great opportunity to work with the best-in-class Global and using DAX monetization teams, to find new audiences and advertisers for the best and largest podcast portfolio in the world.”

Mike Gordon, Global’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “I’m delighted that iHeartMedia is partnering with Global to bring each other’s incredible slate of award-winning podcasts to advertisers in the UK & Ireland, and the US. Combining the reach of each other’s platforms and network s, and featuring talent like Jay Shetty and Brett Goldstein, and The News Agents’ Emily, Jon and Lewis, at a time when podcasts are experiencing rapid growth, will see us reaching more audiences than ever before.”