Acast and Roku Launch Connected TV Podcast Destination in Canada, Sponsored Exclusively by SharkNinja

Today, Acast, the global authority on podcasting, and Roku, the #1 TV streaming platform in Canada*, announced a partnership to launch a dedicated podcast destination on the Roku platform in Canada. Available today across all Roku devices nationwide, the integration is the first time Canadian podcasters will be discoverable on the Roku platform - appearing on home TV screens alongside movies and shows. 

Due to Canada’s sophisticated streaming landscape - backed by Acast’s Podcast Pulse 2026 research, finding that 92% of podcast audiences now regularly watch and listen to their favourite shows - the region has been selected as the exclusive global test market for this framework.

Global product design and technology company SharkNinja joins the launch as the exclusive sponsor, owning this first-to-market moment. Developed in collaboration with Horizon Media Canada, SharkNinja’s media agency, the cross-platform campaign seamlessly connects Roku’s Connected TV (CTV) interface, Acast’s podcast RSS environment, and the creators' social channels into a single, unified media buy. To drive maximum reach, Roku will feature co-branded home screen banners and a Featured tile within The Roku Channel, while Acast activates a full suite of promotional elements - including native host-read sponsorships, targeted audio spot schedules directing listeners to the Roku experience, and coordinated social media campaigns across the creators' channels.

The new destination will include four premier Canadian podcasts at launch:

• The Adam Wylde & Jax Show
• Unlonely with Jody Carrington
• Spare Parts
• In Three 

"Canada is perfect to pilot this integration globally," said Heather Gordon, Managing Director at Acast Canada. "By bringing local Canadian audio creators straight into the living room via Roku and with a reputable brand like SharkNinja, we’re building a powerful multi-channel blueprint that showcases what can be achieved in modern media buying."

"This partnership enhances the entertainment experience for our users while offering advertisers an unprecedented canvas," said Ivan Pehar, Director, Ad Sales, at Roku Canada. "SharkNinja's launch sponsorship perfectly illustrates the power of this format, blending high-impact CTV advertising real estate with the deeply trusted, intimate engagement of top-tier audio creators."

"As a company driven by innovation, being the first brand in the world to pilot this format is a natural fit for SharkNinja," said Dave Kersey, VP Global Head of Media, at SharkNinja. "This collaboration allows us to surround the Canadian consumer natively - populating the space across TV screens, targeted audio schedules, and creator social extensions simultaneously to set a new standard for advertising."

The launch builds on Acast's expanding omnichannel infrastructure. In May 2026, Acast became the first company to run integrated video ad campaigns on Apple Podcasts using Apple's HLS technology - reaching more than 1,000 video episodes, with Canada ranking among its top five markets of consumption. Furthermore, Acast’s recent acquisition of Backyard Ventures - a US network of more than 200 creators built around multi-platform monetization across audio, video, newsletters, and social - further solidifies Acast’s position as the single point of entry for brands to reach podcast audiences wherever they watch and listen.

*By hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025).

The dedicated podcast experience is live on all Roku devices September 28, 2026.