Amazon Eyes ‘New Heights’: Papa Kelce’s Proud Revelation of Potential Eight-Figure Deal
In a world where sports podcasts have become a major part of the entertainment landscape, few have achieved the level of success as Jason and Travis Kelce’s ‘New Heights’. Recently, the podcast soared to new heights—literally and figuratively—by not only becoming the #1 Sports Podcast on Apple and Spotify but also bagging the prestigious ‘Podcast of the Year’ award at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards. Now, a new development has emerged that could take the podcast even further: Amazon, the global retail giant with a market capitalization of $1.95 trillion, has expressed a keen interest in the show.
Amazon’s Interest Confirmed by Papa Kelce
Rumors have been swirling about a potential partnership between Amazon and the Kelce brothers’ podcast. According to insiders, the proposed deal could be worth an eight-figure sum, positioning ‘New Heights’ to be a marquee feature on Amazon’s premium podcast platform, Wondery. While official confirmations from the involved parties are still pending, a significant hint came from an unexpected source: Ed Kelce, father of Jason and Travis, who took to his Facebook profile to share the exciting news.
Though Ed Kelce’s social media post is not an official confirmation, it aligns with the buzz in the industry. If the deal goes through, it would be a monumental step for the podcast, capitalizing on its already massive success. From the 2022-2023 season to the 2023-2024 season, ‘New Heights’ has seen an astonishing 98% increase in viewership, jumping from an average of 973,000 views per episode to an impressive 1.92 million.
Taylor Swift’s Influence and Broader Media Presence
The Kelce brothers’ appeal isn’t limited to the podcast alone. Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift has also contributed to the podcast’s rising viewership. Since Swift’s first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game, viewership of ‘New Heights’ surged by 50%, underscoring the magnetic pull of celebrity influence.
The Kelce brothers have also made waves in other entertainment avenues. Jason Kelce, following his retirement from the NFL, has remained in the spotlight with appearances at WrestleMania and pitching at Philadelphia Phillies games. Rumors about Jason joining ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Countdown’ show have further fueled the excitement, although he has clarified that no official agreement has been reached yet. “Nothing has been officially inked yet or announced yet but, obviously, there’s been a lot of reports out there about me going to ESPN and I think time will kind of take care of that but it’s a tremendous honor to even be considered to potentially work there,” Jason commented, keeping the intrigue alive.
Meanwhile, Travis Kelce has ventured into television, adding to his resume of reality TV with a new game show hosting gig. Amazon’s Prime Video announced that Travis will host ‘Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?’, a spin-off of the popular ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?’ This move is significant as it marks his first foray into game show hosting, produced by MGM Alternative, a division of Amazon-owned MGM Studios.
The man with the answers. Travis Kelce will host ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A CELEBRITY? Coming soon to Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/F5Az0Ayb9Z
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) April 16, 2024
Amazon’s Growing Connection with the Kelce Brothers
This potential deal isn’t Amazon’s first interaction with the Kelce brothers. Prime Video recently released a documentary titled ‘Kelce’ on September 12, 2023, chronicling Jason Kelce’s illustrious career and personal life. The documentary quickly became the most-watched documentary in the U.S., staying in the Top 5 weeks after its release. This success highlights the strong fan base and the public’s interest in the Kelce brothers’ journeys.
For Travis Kelce, the transition to game show hosting taps into his previous experience with television from his reality dating show ‘Catching Kelce’. “I grew up loving game shows, and I’m excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons by hosting my very first one with ‘Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?’” Travis remarked. “The original show is a great success, so to be bringing a new format with everyone’s favorite celebrities to the screen will definitely be entertaining. I’m just happy to be on the hosting side of the equation here and excited to see how these famous faces keep up.”
Looking Ahead
If Amazon’s interest in ‘New Heights’ results in a deal, it would mark a significant milestone for the Kelce brothers and their podcast. Their growing media presence and the public’s insatiable appetite for their content suggest that the future holds even more opportunities for these NFL icons. The potential partnership with Amazon, combined with their diverse ventures in sports and entertainment, positions the Kelce brothers for continued success.
