Goalhanger has announced a strategic partnership with US investment firm The Chernin Group, marking the first time it has taken external funding since launching in 2014.
The deal sees The Chernin Group make a minority investment and take a seat on the Goalhanger board, with financial terms undisclosed and the transaction completed this week.
The partnership is to support Goalhanger’s next phase of growth, focusing on scaling its hit podcast franchises into global, multi-platform intellectual property and accelerating expansion in the United States.
Through the agreement, Goalhanger will draw on The Chernin Group’s experience in creator led and fandom driven media to develop its shows across television, film, digital video, publishing and live experiences.
The company has built strong momentum over the past year, including a new Netflix partnership that will see The Rest Is Football appear on the streaming platform for the 2026 World Cup.
The Rest Is History was also named Apple Podcasts’ Global Show of the Year last year, won Brand of the Year at the 2025 ARIAS, and Goalhanger was ranked the UK’s leading news podcast producer by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
Goalhanger now produces 14 chart topping shows and employs more than 80 people, with on air talent including Gary Lineker, Michael Stevens, Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci.
Last year the network generated more than 750 million full episode views and streams, while its membership business grew to more than 250,000 paying members.
The investment is expected to accelerate Goalhanger’s growth in the US, where it has seen rising listenership, expanding YouTube audiences and increased demand for live shows, supported by high profile editorial partnerships.
Co-founders Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport and Gary Lineker said the partnership would help take Goalhanger’s ideas into new formats, platforms and markets, while The Chernin Group described the company as one of the world’s most compelling emerging media businesses.
