The Chernin Group has secured a minority investment in Goalhanger, a leading podcast production firm based in the United Kingdom. This collaboration aims to amplify Goalhanger's presence, particularly in the competitive U.S. market, and translate its popular audio series into diverse media formats.
This partnership signifies Goalhanger's first external funding infusion, positioning the company for significant future growth, especially within the American digital landscape and on platforms like YouTube. The company's co-founders, including the renowned former footballer Gary Lineker, along with Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport, expressed enthusiasm for TCG's shared vision, anticipating accelerated U.S. expansion, intellectual property development from their hit programs, and diversification into new formats, platforms, and markets. In 2025 alone, Goalhanger's network of 14 shows collectively garnered over 750 million full-episode views and streams, alongside cultivating a subscriber base exceeding 250,000 paying members. TCG's Greg Bettinelli lauded Goalhanger as an exceptionally compelling emerging media enterprise, looking forward to their continued success.
The Chernin Group's investment will grant them a board seat at Goalhanger, aligning with their strategy to provide substantial support for the UK company's U.S. market penetration. Goalhanger is celebrated for its successful podcasts, such as 'The Rest Is History,' 'The Rest Is Football,' and 'The Rest Is Politics,' with both U.S. and UK versions, as well as 'The Rest Is Science.' This move underscores TCG's ongoing commitment to investing in dynamic media ventures, adding Goalhanger to a portfolio that includes Barstool Sports, Hello Sunshine, The Athletic, and Audiochuck, further solidifying its influential role in the evolving media and entertainment industry.
This strategic alliance between The Chernin Group and Goalhanger represents a forward-thinking approach to content creation and distribution in the digital age. By combining innovative storytelling with robust strategic backing, this partnership is poised to unlock new opportunities, reaching broader audiences and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of engaging and informative media. Such collaborations exemplify how diverse talents and resources can converge to shape the future of global entertainment, promoting cross-cultural engagement and intellectual enrichment.
