Goalhanger Podcasts Secures Strategic US Investment from Chernin Group
Goalhanger Podcasts, the production company co-founded by football legend Gary Lineker, has secured its first external investment from US-based firm The Chernin Group (TCG). The deal, completed this week, sees TCG taking a minority stake in the podcasting giant, with financial terms remaining undisclosed.
Investment Fuels Ambitious Growth Strategy
The investment marks a significant milestone for Goalhanger, which was established in 2014 and has grown to become one of the world's most successful podcast producers. The capital injection will support what the company describes as its "next phase of growth," with particular focus on accelerating expansion into the lucrative American market.
As part of the agreement, TCG will gain a seat on Goalhanger's board, bringing valuable media industry expertise to the table. The Chernin Group has an impressive track record of media investments, having previously backed platforms including Substack, Barstool Sports, and The Athletic.
Impressive Performance Metrics
Goalhanger's success story is supported by remarkable performance figures. The company's popular shows, including The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is Football, generated more than 750 million full-episode streams last year alone.
Earlier this month, the company announced it had surpassed 250,000 paying subscribers, contributing to substantial revenue growth. According to Bloomberg reports, Goalhanger's revenue reached approximately $50 million in 2025, representing an impressive 80 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Diversification and Global Ambitions
While American audiences have become an increasingly important market for Goalhanger, with growing download numbers and demand for live events, the company is pursuing broader diversification strategies. These include expanding into new formats beyond traditional audio podcasts.
Notable upcoming initiatives include:
- A multi-day festival at London's Southbank Centre in September titled The Rest is Fest, featuring live performances from the company's podcasting talent
- The launch of The Rest Is Football as a video series on Netflix during the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in America
- Development of new intellectual property derived from existing hit shows
- Expansion into written formats and additional live event offerings
Founders Welcome Strategic Partnership
Goalhanger co-founders Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport, and Gary Lineker expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, describing TCG as the "perfect partner" to help drive forward the company's ambitious plans.
"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," the founders stated collectively.
Greg Bettinelli, a partner at TCG, praised Goalhanger as "truly one of the world's most compelling emerging media businesses" and expressed excitement about participating in the company's ongoing development journey.
The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in the UK's podcasting industry and demonstrates the growing global appeal of British-produced audio content. As Goalhanger prepares to expand its international footprint, this partnership positions the company for continued growth in the competitive digital media landscape.
