Nerdist

Nerdist Industries, LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Digital entertainment, Podcasting, Media
Predecessor	GeekChicDaily
Founded	February 2012 (2012-02)
Founder	Chris Hardwick, Peter Levin
Headquarters	Burbank, California , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Chris Hardwick (Founder, former CEO), Peter Levin (Co-founder, former CEO)
Products	Podcasts, YouTube channel, Television series, News segment
Owner	Legendary Entertainment
Parent	Legendary Entertainment

Nerdist Industries, LLC—commonly referred to as Nerdist—operates as a digital entertainment division under the umbrella of Legendary Entertainment. Established in February 2012 by Chris Hardwick and Peter Levin, the company originated from Hardwick’s initial podcast, The Nerdist Podcast. It subsequently grew into a multifaceted network that includes numerous podcasts, a premium YouTube channel, a news segment (Nerdist News), and a television series broadcast on BBC America.

History

The inception of Nerdist Industries occurred when Hardwick and Levin combined their ventures, transforming GeekChicDaily into Nerdist News. The enterprise broadened its scope by introducing additional podcasts and web series hosted on its YouTube platform. In July 2012, Legendary Entertainment acquired Nerdist Industries, permitting it to function autonomously with Hardwick and Levin appointed as co-presidents.

Levin exited the company in 2013 to assume leadership of Lionsgate's Interactive Ventures and Games division. Hardwick maintained his role as CEO until 2015 before stepping away from day-to-day operations while preserving ownership rights to the original podcast content under the title ID10T with Chris Hardwick. In 2018, following allegations of misconduct against Hardwick, his affiliation with Nerdist was temporarily suspended but subsequently reinstated later that year after an investigation conducted by AMC.

Nerdist News

Originally launched in February 2012 under the name GeekChicDaily, Nerdist News serves as the pop culture newsletter branded by Nerdist and was initially managed by former CEO Peter Levin. The publisher oversees two newsletters: Nerdist News and TOKYOPOP. After merging with Nerdist to create Nerdist Industries in 2012, GeekChicDaily was rebranded as Nerdist News. By late 2013, Nerdist News transitioned into a web series on the "Nerdist" YouTube channel, hosted by Jessica Chobot—formerly of IGN Daily Fix—providing daily updates focused on nerd culture.

Nerdist Podcast

The Nerdist Podcast, launched on February 8, 2010, stands as the flagship weekly interview program for Nerdist Industries. It is hosted by Chris Hardwick, known for Web Soup and Talking Dead, alongside Jonah Ray and Matt Mira. Each episode generally lasts around an hour and features discussions with comedians and entertainers connected to stand-up comedy and geek culture. Distinguished guests have included CM Punk, Rob Zombie, Stan Lee, Ozzy Osbourne, as well as actors from Community, Doctor Who, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

By late 2017, Hardwick transitioned to an advisory role at Nerdist Industries amid uncertain contract renewal talks with parent company Legendary Entertainment. Maintaining full ownership of the podcast and its archive, he rebranded the show in February 2018 as ID10T with Chris Hardwick following his departure from the Nerdist brand due to licensing costs—signifying a strategic pivot in his business direction.

Nerdist Podcast Network

Since its expansion in 2011, Nerdist has grown its portfolio of podcasts. As of June 2025, the offerings include:

• Laser Focus, a podcast featuring comprehensive conversations about films, television series, and pop culture trends, hosted by Kyle Anderson

Inactive or Former Podcasts

• The Alton Browncast, a culinary-themed podcast hosted by Food Network personality Alton Brown
• Big Pop Fun, with host Tom Wilson
• Bizarre States, featuring Jessica Chobot and Andrew Bowser
• Cashing In with T. J. Miller, hosted by Cash Levy with guest T. J. Miller
• Cash Withdrawal, a spin-off series led by Cash Levy
• Chewin' It With Kevin and Steve, presented by Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme
• Clonecast, offering behind-the-scenes content from Orphan Black
• Comic Book Club, hosted by Justin Tyler, Pete LePage, and Alex Zalben
• Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction, with Bryan Cook as the host
• Ding-Donger, hosted by Matt Braunger
• Dining with Doug & Karen, featuring Karen Anderson and Doug Benson
• FEaB ("Four Eyes and Beard"), a collaboration with SModcast Podcast Network, hosted by Matt Mira and Scott Mosier
• Half Hour Happy Hour, presented by Alison Haislip and Alex Albrecht
• Hound Tall Discussion Series, hosted by Moshe Kasher
• Humans From Earth, with Geoff Boucher as host
• The Indoor Kids, a video game-focused podcast hosted by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon
• James Bonding, discussions about James Bond with Matt Gourley and Matt Mira
• The Jonah Keri Podcast, a sports-centered show hosted by Jonah Keri
• Jonah Raydio, a music podcast initially on Nerdist, now part of the Maximum Fun network
• The JV Club, hosted by Janet Varney
• The K-Ohle, a multi-format podcast featuring Kurt Braunohler
• Kicking and Screaming, hosted by Jenna Elfman and Bodhi Elfman
• The Legacy Music Hour, presented by Brent Weinbach and Rob F.
• Love, Alexi, hosted by Alexi Wasser
• Making It, led by Riki Lindhome
• Maltin on Movies, interviews conducted by Leonard Maltin and Jessie Maltin
• Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, featuring Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh
• Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast, no longer associated with Nerdist
• The Mutant Season, hosted by Gil (age 13)
• Nerdist Comics Panel, inactive since 2017, formerly including Len Wein, Ben Blacker, Heath Corson, Adam Beechen
• The flagship show formerly known as The Nerdist Podcast has been rebranded as the ID10T Podcast and transitioned to Cadence13
• Pop My Culture, hosted by Cole Stratton and Vanessa Ragland
• Pro You: Because You're Worth It, with Tom J. Deters as host
• Puck Soup, a sports podcast previously on Nerdist
• Sex Nerd Sandra, hosted by Sandra Daugherty
• Talkin' Toons with Rob Paulsen
• Terrified, led by Dave Ross
• The scripted series Thrilling Adventure Hour is now part of the Forever Dog podcast network
• Today We Learned, hosted by Dan Casey and Razzle Dangerously
• The Todd Glass Show
• The Watkins Family Hour, directed by Sean Watkins and Sara Watkins at Largo nightclub
• The survival story podcast titled We're Alive
• Bachelor-themed show, Will You Accept This Rose?, featuring Arden Myrin, Erin Foley, Eddie Pepitone
• The Wrestling Compadres Slamcast
• Formerly known as the Nerdist Writers Panel, the show now called the Writers Panel is part of the Forever Dog podcast network
• Pete Holmes hosts the podcast titled You Made It Weird

Nerdist Showroom

Known also as NerdMelt, the Nerdist Showroom was a live performance space located within Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, California. From its inception in April 2011 until its closure in March 2018, the venue presented an array of events including stand-up comedy, storytelling sessions, sketch performances, film screenings, panel discussions, and podcast tapings. It served as the filming site for Comedy Central's The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail. Esteemed entertainers such as Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan, Dan Harmon, Kumail Nanjiani, Jonah Ray, and Robin Williams graced its stage. The showroom ceased operations concurrently with Meltdown Comics in March 2018 due to the property's sale for residential redevelopment.

YouTube channel

The Nerdist YouTube channel delivers a broad spectrum of content aligned with its entertainment-focused business approach, featuring:

• 4 Points – conducted by Alex Albrecht and Alison Haislip, featuring interviews
• Ain't It Cool with Harry Knowles – video series based on the film news platform Ain't It Cool News
• Chris Hardwick's All-Star Celebrity Bowling – celebrity bowling tournaments supporting charitable causes
• Comic Book Club – podcast adapted into video format
• Dr. Tran – animated short films
• Face To Face: With Weird Al Yankovic – interviews with celebrities
• Fangoria's Blood and Guts – hosted by Scott Ian, focusing on monster makeup and special effects
• Grammar Slam – presented by wrestler CM Punk
• Hero Complex – interviews with professionals from film and television hosted by Geoff Boucher
• The Indoor Kids – video game-centered program hosted by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon
• Justin Willman's Magic Meltdown – magic showcases by Justin Willman
• Mothership – weekly podcast hosted by Jessica Chobot and Hector Navarro
• Muskwatch – hosted by Kyle Hill and Dan Casey (concluded July 2018)
• Neil's Puppet Dreams – starring Neil Patrick Harris
• Nerdist News – video updates on current news
• Realm of LARP – series about live action role-playing
• Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net – stand-up comedy performances recorded live
• Star Talk – science-oriented show hosted by Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson
• The Thrilling Adventure Hour – video adaptation of the podcast series
• They Call Me Baba Booey – explorations of pop culture and technology by Gary Dell'Abate
• Tournament of Nerds – debates on pop culture topics among enthusiasts
• Weird Sh*t From Japan – cultural insights hosted by Jukka Hilden and Chad Mullane
• Write Now! With Jimmy Pardo – comedy show focused on writers

These offerings reinforce Nerdist’s strategy to diversify digital media content, thereby enhancing audience reach and market presence.

Other

• @midnight – a production created for Comedy Central