MrBallen Podcast Joins SiriusXM in Exclusive Multi-Year Deal

True crime podcaster John Allen, known as MrBallen, is making a significant move to SiriusXM from Wondery. Under a multiyear agreement, SiriusXM will gain exclusive advertising sales rights to Allen’s flagship show, The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious, as well as to his popular YouTube channel, which boasts over 10.5 million subscribers. The deal also includes rights to the broader MrBallen network of shows, with plans to develop new programming.

Allen’s journey began in 2020 when he started creating content focused on well-researched true crime stories. His podcast has quickly risen to prominence, currently ranked as the 11th most popular podcast in the U.S. according to Edison Research. In expressing his excitement about the partnership, Allen stated, “I am thrilled and honored to be part of the SiriusXM family, and excited to welcome even more people around the world to the strange, dark, and mysterious community.”

The transition to SiriusXM follows significant changes at Wondery, an Amazon-owned podcasting company that restructured in August. As part of this shift, Wondery’s narrative podcast studio was moved to Audible, while other creator-focused shows transitioned to a new division at Amazon. Notably, Morbid, another leading true crime podcast, joined SiriusXM in July. Allen had previously entered a three-year, first-look deal with Amazon in 2022.

SiriusXM has been actively expanding its podcast portfolio, recently securing major deals with well-known shows such as Smartless and Call Her Daddy hosted by Alex Cooper. With the addition of MrBallen, SiriusXM now has partnerships with eight of the top 20 podcasts, according to Edison Research.

Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer of SiriusXM, praised Allen’s work, saying, “John Allen has built The MrBallen Podcast into a global phenomenon. His distinctive storytelling has captivated millions and set a high bar in the genre.” He emphasized that this signing reinforces SiriusXM’s position as a premier destination for fans of mystery, suspense, and true crime storytelling.

New episodes of The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories will be available on the SiriusXM app and across all podcast platforms starting November 1, 2023. SiriusXM Podcasts+ subscribers will receive early access to these episodes, enhancing the value of their subscription.

With this move, MrBallen is poised to reach an even larger audience, continuing to entertain and intrigue fans with his unique storytelling style.