PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC) and Digital Media Giant BuzzFeed Join Forces for Original Podcast Series: Phone A Fangirl

Rhea-AI Summary

PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC) and BuzzFeed launched Phone A Fangirl, a limited 12-episode original K‑Pop podcast series debuting Oct. 17, 2025. The show reached over 100k plays in 24 hours and features guests including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ZEROBASEONE, KAI and Mingyu x S.Coups of SEVENTEEN, whose combined social following tops 120 million. PodcastOne said the series is the first in a strategic development pipeline and will distribute across major platforms including Apple, Spotify, YouTube and iHeart.

Positive

• 100k+ plays in 24 hours
• Limited 12-episode series launch
• Guest roster social reach 120 million+

Negative

• Going concern risk mentioned in forward-looking statements
• Reliance on a company’s largest OEM customer for substantial revenue
• Uncertainty around consummating financing or transactions

Insights

Media Partnerships Analyst

PodcastOne and BuzzFeed's K‑Pop podcast launch shows early audience traction but lacks disclosed monetization or financial impact.

PodcastOne and BuzzFeed formed a content partnership to produce a limited 12‑episode series, "Phone A Fangirl," which achieved over 100,000 plays in 24 hours and features guests whose combined social reach reportedly tops 120 million. The arrangement leverages BuzzFeed's viral audience and PodcastOne's distribution to drive listenership across major platforms; the immediate business mechanism is audience acquisition and engagement that can be monetized via ads, sponsorships, or platform promotions.

Key dependencies and risks include whether the observed initial plays convert into sustained downloads, whether the series attracts premium advertisers, and whether PodcastOne can replicate this performance across additional pipeline projects. The release contains no revenue, CPM, advertiser commitments, or clear scalability metrics, so financial upside remains unquantified; audience spikes alone do not guarantee durable monetization.

Watch for concrete monetization signals over the next 3–6 months: recurring weekly download trends, reported ad deals or sponsorships tied to the series, and any disclosure of advertiser CPMs or revenue share. Also monitor broader pipeline announcements that move beyond a single limited series into recurring franchises or platform-exclusive deals.

Phone A Fangirl Sets the K-Pop World on Fire with Over 100k Plays in 24hrs, Marks First Podcast in Strategic Development Pipeline Orchestrated by PodcastOne

Upcoming Guests Include TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ZEROBASEONE, KAI and Mingyu x S.Coups of SEVENTEEN, Social Following for All Guests Tops 120 Million

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), a leading publisher and podcast sales network, today announced a partnership with digital media powerhouse BuzzFeed to launch a brand-new original podcast series, Phone A Fangirl. Known for its high engagement and viral content especially with millennial and Gen Z audiences, BuzzFeed and top 10 US podcast publisher PodcastOne, aim to capitalize on the global appeal of the K-Pop genre with this limited 12-episode series featuring guests including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ZEROBASEONE, KAI and Mingyu x S.Coups of SEVENTEEN.
Ring ring… your fave is on the line! On the “Phone A Fangirl” podcast, professional fangirls Joyce Louis-Jean and Lindsay Webster connect fans straight to their favorite K-Pop idols and celebrities by calling in or leaving a voicemail. Filled with yapping and getting answers to questions only fans wanna know – welcome to the hotline where celebs and stans can be themselves. Press 1 to scream. Press 2 to sob. 

“It's exciting to be working with a well established brand with a history of creating viral content like BuzzFeed. We look forward to the start of this relationship and to bringing this fresh and fun superfan focused series to podcast platforms around the country,” said Eli Dvorkin, Chief Content Officer of PodcastOne.
PodcastOne’s full roster of top ranked podcasts includes programming across top genres such as news, comedy, true crime, sports and society and culture and includes shows such as The Jordan Harbinger Show, Karma and Chaos, The Adam Carolla Show, Stassi, Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe, LadyGang, Gals on the Go, The Prosecutors, Court Junkie, Pop Apologists and Varnamtown. PodcastOne shows are available through PodcastOne, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeart, Amazon and wherever podcasts are heard.

About BuzzFeed, Inc.
BuzzFeed, Inc. is home to the best of the Internet. Across pop culture, entertainment, shopping, food and news, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now – and into the future. Born on the Internet in 2006, BuzzFeed is committed to making it better: providing trusted, quality, brand-safe news and entertainment to hundreds of millions of people; making content on the Internet more inclusive, empathetic, and creative; and inspiring our audience to live better lives. 

About PodcastOne
PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC) is a leading podcast platform that provides creators and advertisers with a comprehensive 360-degree solution in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution. PodcastOne has surpassed 3.9 billion total downloads with a community of 200 top podcasters, including Adam Carolla, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Jordan Harbinger, LadyGang, A&E's Cold Case Files, and Varnamtown. PodcastOne has built a distribution network reaching over 1 billion monthly impressions across all channels, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. PodcastOne is also the parent company of PodcastOne Pro which offers fully customizable production packages for brands, professionals, or hobbyists. For more information, visit www.podcastone.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X at @podcastone.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “might,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “target” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: LiveOne’s reliance on its largest OEM customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; LiveOne’s and PodcastOne’s ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, merger, distribution or other transaction, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; PodcastOne’s ability to continue as a going concern; PodcastOne’s ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its listeners; PodcastOne identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; LiveOne’s intent to repurchase shares of its and/or PodcastOne’s common stock from time to time under LiveOne’s announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; LiveOne’s ability to maintain compliance with certain financial and other covenants; PodcastOne successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management’s relationships with industry stakeholders; LiveOne’s ability to repay its indebtedness when due; LiveOne’s ability to satisfy the conditions for closing on its announced additional convertible debentures financing; LiveOne’s ability to implement its recently announced crypto treasury strategy and/or purchase crypto assets from time to time pursuant to such strategy, including for up to the maximum announced amount; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings and/or PodcastOne’s and/or LiveOne’s ability to pay any amounts due in connection with any such legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of PodcastOne, LiveOne and/or LiveOne’s other subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in PodcastOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 2, 2025, PodcastOne’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2025, and in PodcastOne’s other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and PodcastOne disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. PodcastOne intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Press Contacts:
310.246.4600
Susan@Guttmanpr.com

FAQ

What is Phone A Fangirl and who produces it (PODC)?

Phone A Fangirl is a limited 12-episode K‑Pop podcast produced by PodcastOne in partnership with BuzzFeed.

When was Phone A Fangirl announced for PodcastOne (PODC)?

The partnership and series were announced on October 17, 2025.

How many plays did Phone A Fangirl achieve in its first 24 hours (PODC)?

The podcast recorded over 100,000 plays in the first 24 hours.

Which K‑Pop guests appear on PodcastOne’s Phone A Fangirl (PODC)?

Guests include TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ZEROBASEONE, KAI and Mingyu x S.Coups of SEVENTEEN.

Where will PodcastOne distribute Phone A Fangirl (PODC)?

Distribution is across PodcastOne, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeart, Amazon and other podcast platforms.

What investor risks did PodcastOne (PODC) disclose related to this announcement?

The company disclosed standard forward-looking risks including going concern language, reliance on a largest OEM customer, and uncertainty about completing financing or transactions.