‘Bad Friends’ Podcast Joins Wave in Ad Sales, Distribution Deal

Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee’s comedy podcast “Bad Friends” has a new business partner. Wave Sports & Entertainment will handle advertising sales and distribution for the show starting with Monday’s new episode, TheWrap reported in an exclusive on Oct. 5, and trade newsletter Podnews listed the signing in its Oct. 6 edition.

Under the deal, Wave will oversee ad sales and distribution across YouTube, podcast platforms and social channels, according to TheWrap and Wave’s announcement. Neither TheWrap nor Wave disclosed financial terms.

The move extends a relationship that is already in place. Santino’s solo interview show, “Whiskey Ginger,” signed with Wave in February, a deal covering distribution, marketing and ad sales for the show, on which Santino interviews friends from in and out of the entertainment industry about stories from their past while sipping whiskey, according to Wave’s February announcement. Santino pointed to that experience. “’Bad Friends’ has always been about two friends getting together trying to make each other laugh. We’re so excited to continue to have full comedic freedom with Wave,” he said in a statement. “I’ve had such a great experience with them on my other show ‘Whiskey Ginger’ and we can’t wait to keep making comedy for our fans for many years to come.”

Lee kept it short. “We know we’re in good hands,” he said. “Mostly, we’re just excited to keep making the show we love, at a heightened scale and bringing our fans along for the ride.”

Wave chief content officer Mack Sovereign said the company and Santino “were aligned on how we think about creative and growth,” calling the expansion to “Bad Friends” “a natural next step.” He added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Bobby to Wave, and are excited to support the next chapter of their singular show.”

“Bad Friends” launched in 2020 and has become one of the biggest weekly comedy podcasts, built on the hosts’ chaotic chemistry and constant roasting of each other. Both TheWrap and Wave say the show generates more than 38 million monthly views across platforms.

That video audience is where Wave has focused. The company, which Fast Company named to its Most Innovative Companies list for 2026, says it has drawn more than 6 billion impressions over the last year with digital series built around celebrities, creators and athletes. TheWrap notes that its podcast roster already includes “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce” and Carmelo Anthony’s “7PM in Brooklyn.” Adding “Bad Friends” gives Wave another major name in comedy, a genre it has been building out.

For listeners, little should change. The hosts stressed that they will keep full creative control, and new episodes continue on YouTube and the usual podcast apps. Santino is represented by UTA and Lee by CAA, according to TheWrap.

For Wave, the deal puts a second Santino show on a roster built around video-first talent. For more industry moves, visit our Podcast News page.

Verification: The Wave deal, its start date, the hosts’ and Sovereign’s statements and the 38 million monthly views figure were reported by TheWrap (Oct. 5) and confirmed by Podnews (Oct. 6) and Wave’s own Oct. 5 announcement.