London, 28th Jan, 2026 - Goalhanger, one of the world’s fastest-growing media and production companies, has formed a strategic partnership with The Chernin Group (TCG), a US based emerging media and sports investment firm founded by Peter Chernin. The partnership sees TCG making a minority investment and taking a seat on the Goalhanger board. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction was completed this week.

Founded in 2014 and profitably bootstrapped since day one, Goalhanger has never taken external investment until now. TCG is the company’s first external investor. The partnership is intended to support Goalhanger’s next phase of growth - scaling hit show franchises into global, multi-platform IP and accelerating expansion in the United States.

Through the strategic partnership, Goalhanger will draw on TCG’s expertise in creator-led and fandom-driven media businesses to expand hit shows such as The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football into new formats across television, film, digital video, written formats and live experiences.

The company has already built strong momentum, including a new partnership with Netflix to bring The Rest Is Football to the streaming platform for the 2026 World Cup, The Rest Is History being named Apple Podcasts’ Global Show of the Year 2025, winning Brand of the Year at the 2025 ARIAS, and being ranked the UK’s leading news podcast producer by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

Goalhanger produces chart-topping shows including The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, The Rest Is Entertainment, Empire, The Rest Is Science, The Rest Is Politics: US, Sherlock & Co., The Rest Is Football and We Have Ways of Making You Talk, among others, and now employs more than 80 people. The network is led by global talent such as Michael Stevens (Vsauce), Anthony Scaramucci, Katty Kay and Gary Lineker, alongside some of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters and creators.

In 2025 alone, the company generated more than 750 million full-episode views and streams across its 14-show network, while building a fast-growing membership business that now surpasses 250,000 paying members. This growth is matched by increasing activity across video, live events, merchandise, publishing and new formats.

The investment will accelerate Goalhanger’s momentum in the U.S. Over the past 12 months, the network has seen strong growth in American listenership, expanding YouTube audiences, a rising North American share of total downloads, and increasing demand for U.S.-based live shows. This has been driven by high-profile editorial partnerships, including a multi-episode series on the history of Walt Disney featuring The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, and a collaboration on The Beatles Anthology with special guest Conan O’Brien on The Rest Is History.

Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport and Gary Lineker, Co-Founders of Goalhanger, said: “From launching our first podcast to building a global network of chart-topping shows, the passion of our audiences for smart, gripping conversations has been at the heart of everything we do. 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 realise that ambition. This allows us to accelerate our U.S. expansion, develop new IP from our hit shows, and take our ideas into new formats, platforms and markets. With a record number of paying members, we’re building a next-generation media company rooted in trust, creativity and curiosity and this partnership marks an exciting new chapter in that journey.”

Greg Bettinelli, Partner of TCG, added: “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.”

TCG is a leading investor in community-driven, creator-led media businesses, with a portfolio that includes Barstool Sports, Hello Sunshine, The Athletic and U.S. podcast network Audiochuck and leading independent publisher Entangled. The firm has a strong track record of scaling brands at the intersection of content, fandom and culture, and of supporting founders as they build into new formats, platforms and global markets.

As previously referenced, the transaction was completed this week, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acting as legal advisers to Goalhanger, and Galloways Accounting providing accounting support.

ENDS

Please contact Andy Neilson via andy@goalhanger.com /

+44 (0)7743400778 for further information and or queries.

Notes to Editors

About Goalhanger
Goalhanger is the home of curiosity - a new-generation cultural media brand built for people who want to make sense of the world and have fun doing it. We’re one of the fastest-growing media and production companies globally, creating chart-topping, story-first shows across history, politics, sport, business, entertainment, current affairs and audio drama. Our titles include The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, Empire, The Rest Is Entertainment, The Rest Is Politics: US, Leading, The Rest Is Money, Journey Through Time, The Rest Is Football, Sherlock & Co., The Rest Is Classified, The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness, The Rest Is Science, and We Have Ways of Making You Talk. In 2025 alone, our programmes were streamed over 750 million times. But Goalhanger is more than a podcast network. We produce long-form, conversation-led digital media across video, live events, memberships and audio, reaching tens of millions each month and building communities - not just audiences. Everything we make is rooted in trust, talent and curiosity, reflecting our purpose and values. We’re shaping a world that’s switched on, not tuned out - one great conversation at a time. Read more: https://www.goalhanger.com

About The Chernin Group (TCG)
The Chernin Group (TCG) is a preeminent growth equity firm investing in emerging media and sports businesses. TCG partners with exceptional founders and management teams to grow and optimize market-leading brands in specific consumer categories with passionate followings. The firm leverages decades of operating experience and deep connectivity to the media, sports and technology ecosystems in service of its portfolio companies. Investments have included Action Network, Audiochuck, Barstool Sports, Cars & Bids, Collectors, Classic Football Shirts, Crunchyroll, Entangled Media, Epic Gardening, Equip, Meateater, Oura, Premier Lacrosse League, Substack, Scopely and Unrivaled Sports. Learn more at tcg.co