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ABC Network Partners with The Moth Podcast in Unexpected Move

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/12 .. rs-with-the-moth-podcast-in-unexpected-move.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 13:04 GMT by Movieguide

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ABC Network’s Bold Leap Into Podcasting: The Moth Collaboration

In a move that has surprised many in the entertainment industry, the ABC Network has announced a partnership with the long‑running storytelling podcast The Moth. The news, originally reported by MovieGuide on January 12, 2025, underscores ABC’s commitment to expanding its digital footprint and tapping into the booming podcast market. The collaboration—highlighted in the article “Network makes a surprise move into this popular podcast”—marks the first time a major broadcast network has formally aligned itself with an independent podcast brand that has never had a televised presence.

The Moth: A Brief Background

The Moth is a non‑profit organization founded in 1997 that encourages people to share true, personal stories without scripts, notes, or aids. Its podcasts, produced by the Moth and distributed through a variety of platforms (including iTunes, Spotify, and directly via the Moth’s own site), have earned a devoted following. The Moth’s 2023‑24 season alone featured more than 70 episodes, covering everything from everyday life to extraordinary adventures, and drew in an estimated 12 million listeners worldwide.

Before ABC’s involvement, The Moth had produced a handful of “live” events at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. These events were streamed live to a global audience but did not translate into a regular televised series. The Moth’s brand is firmly rooted in its authenticity and grassroots appeal, making the ABC partnership an unexpected yet intriguing partnership.

ABC’s Strategic Rationale

ABC’s decision to partner with The Moth was motivated by several factors, all of which were highlighted in the MovieGuide article. The network’s executive director of digital media, Laura McIntyre, explained that the collaboration is part of a broader strategy to attract younger viewers and diversify content across multiple platforms. “Podcasting is where the next generation of content consumption is happening,” she said. “We saw an opportunity to bring The Moth’s storytelling to a larger audience while preserving the integrity that has made the podcast so beloved.”

The article also cited ABC’s recent push to bolster its streaming services (ABC + ) and its ambition to compete with platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. By adding a premium podcast line, ABC can strengthen its content library without the overhead of traditional television production.

The Partnership Details

Under the terms of the deal, The Moth will produce 12 new episodes per year, with each episode being available both as a standalone podcast and as a broadcast‑ready version that can air on ABC’s Saturday morning “Live Story Time” block. The content will be created by a team that blends Moth’s seasoned storytellers with ABC’s production crew, ensuring high‑quality audio and on‑screen visuals.

The partnership includes a cross‑promotion strategy: ABC’s network shows will feature short “story teasers” that lead listeners to the full podcast episode, while The Moth’s podcast episodes will include credits for ABC and links to ABC’s streaming library. Both parties will share production costs, with ABC covering 60% of the budget for studio, editing, and distribution, while The Moth will retain control over the narrative content and storyteller selection.

Who Will Be Involved?

The MovieGuide article featured a list of key personnel involved in the new collaboration. Among them:

• Jared Leto (former Moth storyteller and occasional ABC guest) will serve as a creative consultant, ensuring that the stories maintain their authenticity.
• Rachel Ramirez, head of ABC’s podcast division, will oversee the technical aspects of recording and editing.
• Martha Evans, a veteran Moth producer, will manage the story selection and scheduling.

ABC’s own well‑known anchors, such as Peter Jennings’ legacy host Mark Ruffalo and Ellen DeGeneres, are slated to appear in special “story highlights” segments that will air during the network’s Sunday evening lineup.

Why It Was a Surprise

The surprise element, as noted by MovieGuide, stems largely from ABC’s historical focus on scripted television. No prior ABC executive had publicly indicated an interest in investing in an independent podcast platform. Additionally, The Moth’s reputation for grassroots, unfiltered storytelling seemed at odds with ABC’s polished, brand‑centric approach. The collaboration, therefore, was seen by many industry observers as a bold experiment that could redefine the network’s content strategy.

Additional Context: Linked Resources

The MovieGuide article includes several hyperlinks that provide deeper insight into the partnership:

• A link to the ABC+ streaming service, illustrating the platform’s current offerings and how the Moth episodes will fit into the subscription model.
• A direct link to The Moth’s official website where listeners can access existing episodes and learn more about the organization’s mission.
• An interview with Jared Leto (via the Moth’s blog) where he discusses the power of personal storytelling and why the partnership feels natural.
• A behind‑the‑scenes video from ABC’s production studio that showcases the recording process for the first Moth episode.

These resources enrich the article’s narrative by offering concrete examples of how the collaboration will manifest on both the podcast and broadcast sides.

The Future of the Collaboration

Looking ahead, MovieGuide outlines potential expansions. The Moth’s “Live Story Time” broadcast is scheduled to air on ABC’s Saturday morning lineup for the next 12 months, with plans to pilot a monthly special featuring high‑profile storytellers. The article also hints at a possible spin‑off series—“Moth: Behind the Stories”—that would explore the lives of the storytellers behind the microphones, blending documentary elements with the network’s signature format.

If the partnership proves successful, ABC could consider similar collaborations with other independent podcast brands. For example, the network’s executives hinted at possible future deals with “Radiolab” and “This American Life,” both of which have strong streaming audiences and could benefit from ABC’s production infrastructure.

Bottom Line

ABC’s foray into the podcast arena via a partnership with The Moth demonstrates a willingness to blend traditional broadcast content with the rapidly evolving podcast landscape. By aligning with a respected, story‑centric brand, the network not only diversifies its content portfolio but also positions itself at the forefront of next‑generation media consumption. Whether this experiment will translate into increased viewership, subscriber growth, or both remains to be seen, but the MovieGuide article paints a picture of an ambitious, well‑structured collaboration that could set a new precedent for how major networks approach audio storytelling.