“The Chernin Group has taken a minority stake in the UK podcast firm Goalhanger, the producer of popular podcasts like The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football. Financial terms of the strategic partnership were not disclosed, but Peter Chernin’s media and sports banner will get a seat on the Goalhanger board of directors”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
Financial terms of the strategic partnership were not disclosed, but Peter Chernin’s media and sports banner will get a seat on the Goalhanger board of directors and help broaden the UK company’s podcast reach into the US market.
Goalhanger, led by former soccer star-turned-broadcaster Gary Lineker, will leverage the Chernin Group to turn hit shows like The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football into new TV, film and digital video formats and live experiences across the US market.
“Since we first met Peter and the TCG team more than a year ago, it has become increasingly clear that they share our vision for what Goalhanger can become, and are the perfect partner to help us realize that ambition. This allows us to accelerate our US expansion, develop new IP from our hit shows, and take our ideas into new formats, platforms and markets,” Goalhanger co-founders Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport and Gary Lineker said in a statement.
The company is also behind the US-based The Rest Is Politics podcast hosted by Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci, a popular UK version hosted by Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, The Rest Is Sciencehosted by Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens, and We Have Ways of Making You Talk.
The investment from Chernin Group is the first outside financing taken by Goalhanger as it anticipates its next growth phase in the US, including on YouTube. In 2025 alone, the company generated over 750 million full-episode views and streams across its 14-show network, while building a base exceeding 250,000 paying members.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with Tony, Jack and Gary as well as their amazingly talented team. Goalhanger is truly one of the world’s most compelling emerging media businesses and we can’t wait for the rest of their historical journey,” Greg Bettinelli, Chernin Group partner, said in his own statement.
Chernin Group has an investment portfolio that includes Barstool Sports, Hello Sunshine, The Athletic and US podcast network Audiochuck.