Crooked Media Expands Political Podcast Ad Network with New Flagship Shows
Crooked Media has announced a significant expansion of its political podcast and digital sales network, bringing three new shows into its growing roster of programs available for host-read advertising. The additions—Adam Mockler, The Argument, and Weekly Skews—join an already impressive lineup that includes No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen and The Joy Reid Show, strengthening Crooked’s position as a powerhouse in political audio content.
The expansion reflects Crooked’s strategic push beyond its owned-and-operated programming, building a broader network of political shows while leveraging its proven expertise in host-read advertising. As shown in the Crooked Media logo, the network represents a consolidated approach to political discourse and audience engagement across multiple platforms.
What This Expansion Means for Advertisers
Through this expanded network, Crooked now holds exclusive rights to sell host-read advertising across participating shows’ RSS feeds and YouTube channels. This dual-platform approach gives advertisers direct access to highly engaged political audiences through trusted hosts in both audio and video formats.
The advertising opportunities are available immediately, allowing brands to connect with listeners and viewers who actively engage with political content. By maintaining the host-read advertising model—where show hosts personally deliver sponsorship messages—Crooked preserves the authentic connection between creators and their audiences, a proven strategy for driving listener engagement and advertiser ROI.
Crooked’s Growing Media Empire
The network’s current lineup is impressive by any measure. Crooked’s existing shows generate more than 30 million monthly downloads and consistently top competitive charts. The portfolio includes flagship Pod Save America, Pod Save the World hosted by Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes, Lovett or Leave It hosted by Jon Lovett, Offline with Jon Favreau, Still Counting with Nate Silver and Galen Druke, Runaway Country with Alex Wagner, Keep It hosted by Louis Virtel and Nina Parker, Strict Scrutiny, Hysteria, Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, and What A Day, among others.
This expansion comes on the heels of other major Crooked initiatives announced this year. The company recently launched Crooked on MS NOW and introduced SANE tv, its FAST channel for streaming, demonstrating ambitions that extend well beyond traditional podcasting.
A Multi-Platform Content Strategy
Crooked’s diversified approach to content and monetization sets it apart in the crowded political media landscape. Beyond advertising, the company operates:
- Friends of the Pod, a subscription service offering exclusive content and access through Substack, YouTube, Supercast, and Apple Podcasts
- A robust touring and live events business, including the second annual Crooked Con coming to Washington, D.C. in November 2026
- A growing merchandise and e-commerce business
- An expanding portfolio of newsletters
- Productions across audio, digital, film, and television
Industry Recognition and Impact
Crooked’s influence in media has earned recognition across the industry. The network has secured more than 80 awards and nominations, including honors from the Webbys and Tribeca Honors, plus a prestigious Peabody Award nomination—testament to its impact and credibility in the competitive media landscape.
Founded in 2017 by former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, Crooked has built its reputation on what the company describes as “a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it.” The addition of these new shows signals that trusted voices and audiences are seeking this approach to political discourse.
For podcast producers and audio professionals working with politically focused content creators, Crooked’s expanding network demonstrates the continued viability and growth potential of the political podcast genre, particularly when coupled with a sophisticated, multi-platform monetization strategy.
Source: Podwires Newsletter
