Democratic Challenger Andy Beshear Seals Podcast Agreement with SiriusXM

In a notable shift, politicians are increasingly turning to podcasters and livestreamers to reach voters, and two American governors are leading the charge.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and California Governor Gavin Newsom have both partnered with major media companies to launch their own podcasts. Governor Beshear's podcast, titled "The Andy Beshear Podcast," will air weekly on SiriusXM Progress channel 127, starting from September 10.

The recording for the first episode will take place at SiriusXM's New York City studios, and it will feature an interview with House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries. The podcast will cover a wide range of topics, including sports, politics, pop culture, and family, aiming to bring diverse voices and ideas to the table to help move the country forward together.

Governor Beshear will also host a series of live specials on September 9, which will be available on YouTube with video, as well as on SiriusXM, iHeartMedia, and major podcast platforms. These live specials are part of "The Andy Beshear Podcast" and will continue to be a regular feature of the podcast.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has already launched his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," in partnership with iHeartMedia. The podcast is available on the same platforms as Governor Beshear's podcast.

The growing influence of podcasters and livestreamers contrasts with the declining reach of legacy TV networks and cable channels. This trend suggests a shift in how politicians communicate with their constituents, favouring more intimate and interactive platforms over traditional broadcast media.

SiriusXM Media also plans to sell the audio product of Governor Beshear's podcast internationally, following a similar strategy for Governor Newsom's podcast. This move indicates a global interest in these political podcasts, potentially signalling a new era in political communication.

It's important to note that this deal does not concern the contract renewal or future of Howard Stern with SiriusXM. Governor Beshear signed the deal with SiriusXM's Progress network for his podcast "The Andy Beshear Podcast" in September 2021, and the podcast episodes are aired weekly on Saturdays at 11 a.m. Eastern on SiriusXM Progress.

As the election season approaches, it will be interesting to see how these podcasts shape the political landscape and engage voters in a new and innovative way.