Willow is set to premiere its first original series, Game On with Grace, hosted by rising sports broadcaster Grace Hayden. The video podcast launches on Sunday 20 July and will feature new episodes every other week across Willow platforms and major podcast services.
Grace Hayden, 23, has emerged as one of cricket’s youngest and most recognisable media personalities, with a growing reputation across both traditional broadcast and digital formats. With credits that include the IPL, Cricket World Cup and GT20 Canada, she brings a mix of insight and relatability that has resonated with fans on and off screen. Her background in cricket runs deep, but her style is contemporary and relaxed, appealing to a younger, digital-first audience.
The podcast is positioned as a space for unscripted, wide-ranging conversations with athletes, artists and personalities connected to sport. While cricket remains the central thread, the show branches into broader topics including culture, ambition and life away from the cameras. Willow says the goal is to create space for the kind of conversations that rarely feature in traditional sports media.
Speaking about the launch, Hayden said she was excited to bring out the candid moments that often go untold in mainstream coverage. Her pitch for Game On is clear: to move beyond highlights and scorecards, and focus on the people behind the performances.
The show’s format is designed for casual viewing as much as dedicated listening. With distribution on Willow TV, Willow Sports, the Willow app and major podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the company is positioning Game On as a multi-platform experience for fans.
For Willow, this marks a move into original content after years focused on live cricket streaming. The company, which holds broadcast rights across most major cricketing nations, sees original programming as a way to deepen its engagement with fans, particularly in North America.
COO Todd Myers said the decision to launch with Hayden made sense given her familiarity with the game and ease on camera. He described the podcast as an extension of Willow’s efforts to support the cricket community with new forms of content that are relevant to how fans connect with the sport today.
The launch comes as more sports broadcasters experiment with long-form storytelling and personality-driven formats to complement traditional match coverage. For Willow, this project will be watched closely to see whether it can broaden appeal without straying too far from the cricket core. Hayden’s following, especially among younger viewers, may give the podcast a head start.
Game On with Grace premieres 20 July and will be available on Willow’s platforms and podcast streaming apps.
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