Jesse Collins Entertainment to Produce This Year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards (EXCLUSIVE)

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) has been tapped to produce the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, extending its influential run as a powerhouse in televised live events. The ceremony, now in its thirteenth iteration, honors the artists and songs that achieved the highest airplay across iHeartRadio's extensive portfolio of over 850 broadcast stations and its digital platform during the eligibility period. This decision follows JCE's recent high-profile stewardship of productions like the Emmy Awards and the Super Bowl Halftime Show, reinforcing its reputation as a premier choice for executing major entertainment spectacles.

The awards are set for a live broadcast on Fox from Los Angeles's Dolby Theatre on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The venue, which has served as the permanent home for the Oscars since 2002, offers a suitably grand setting for an event celebrating commercial radio success. Leading the production from JCE will be founder/CEO Jesse Collins, company president Dionne Harmon, and SVP of specials Jeannaé Rouzan-Clay. They will collaborate with iHeartMedia executives John Sykes, Tom Poleman, and Bart Peters. Industry analysts point out that securing a venue of this caliber underscores the awards' continued emphasis on aligning with established Hollywood prestige, even as they honor popularity-driven metrics.

John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia, highlighted the synergy of the partnership. "Collins and his team have a unique talent for capturing the excitement of live performance and turning it into must-see television," Sykes said. "Our goal is to produce a dynamic show that truly reflects the year's defining music for our massive audience." This move is seen as part of a larger industry shift where broadcasters increasingly rely on specialized production houses capable of managing the intricate demands of hybrid events designed for simultaneous in-person, linear TV, and digital viewership.

This new project significantly broadens JCE's already impressive slate, which spans beyond awards shows like the BET Awards to include reality competition series such as Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" and large-scale musical productions like Beyoncé's 2024 NFL Christmas Game special. The company's ability to navigate diverse formats—from sprawling live broadcasts to targeted streaming content—demonstrates a strategic agility crucial in today's fragmented media environment. Jesse Collins, who began his career as a music video producer, has built his company into a multifaceted entity by consistently delivering culturally resonant programming that connects with broad audiences.

Represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and the law firm Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman, JCE is structurally supported for this undertaking. By assuming control of the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the production firm not only refreshes a key annual event bridging traditional radio and modern fandom but also solidifies its standing as a defining force in shaping how music celebrations are presented on screen. The challenge will be to innovate within the familiar awards show framework while staying true to the populist, chart-driven spirit that defines the iHeartRadio brand.