Hulu Expands into Podcasting with Headgum Partnership for Comedy Advice Show ‘We’re Here To Help’ Featuring Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds
Hulu Expands into Podcast Licensing with Exclusive Deal for ‘We’re Here to Help’
Hulu is diving into podcast licensing, having secured an exclusive deal for We’re Here to Help, a comedy advice podcast hosted by Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds. This move represents Hulu’s first foray into the podcast space.
The show, produced by Headgum, will stream on Hulu twice weekly starting February 10th, with episodes released on Sundays and Tuesdays. The initial episode will feature Lamorne Morris, known for his role on the popular Fox sitcom New Girl. This series has maintained a strong presence on streaming platforms; it moved to Hulu and Peacock in 2023 after nearly a decade on Netflix.
Under the new agreement, Hulu will have streaming rights to both the existing episodes of We’re Here to Help and all forthcoming releases. New episodes will debut on Hulu one day before becoming available on the podcast’s upcoming YouTube channel and various audio platforms.
Like Netflix, Hulu has recently expanded its podcast offerings, launching a series of companion video podcasts that provide viewers with behind-the-scenes insights into its original programming. Notably, Only Murders in the Building was the first Hulu production to receive a dedicated podcast. Following this, the company has introduced additional podcasts tied to programs such as Paradise, Dancing with the Stars, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
We’re Here to Help, which premiered in August 2023, features Johnson and Reynolds offering advice to callers, often with humorous and absurd outcomes. Their comedic style has earned the show a dedicated audience over its three-year tenure. The podcast has welcomed a range of notable guests, including Zooey Deschanel, Dakota Fanning, and Judd Apatow, among others. The series is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.
Prior to securing the podcast deal, Hulu was already home to Johnson’s 2023 comedic thriller, Self Reliance, and the aforementioned New Girl.
“We started this podcast during the actors’ strike over Zoom and made the show independently, with no real plan beyond making something we liked and staying creative,” Johnson reflected. “Licensing to a streamer was never even a thought, so getting to partner with Headgum and Hulu to bring it to more people is pretty surreal. We love making the show, and with New Girl and Self Reliance already there, Hulu feels like the perfect home.”
Kaiti Moos, Vice President of Content at Headgum, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Jake and Gareth have amassed such an incredible fanbase over the years, and we’re looking forward to sharing We’re Here to Help with an even broader audience. Hulu is the perfect partner to help us bring the series into this exciting next chapter, with their creator-first philosophy and global reach.”
The inclusion of podcasts on streaming platforms like Hulu marks a significant shift in the content landscape. As competition heats up, this trend is set to continue as platforms seek to capture audiences with less costly yet engaging content. In January, Netflix alone began streaming over 30 new podcasts, further intensifying the evolving battle for viewership against established podcast giants like YouTube.
