Be Afraid Media has acquired the podcast "Creepy," the popular horror series hosted by Jon Grilz that draws from creepypasta community submissions. The deal brings over 1,200 episodes into Be Afraid's portfolio, with Grilz remaining as host and now leading the Be Afraid Podcast Network as well.
"Creepy" built its audience by adapting fan-written horror stories from the creepypasta community, a model that differentiated it from traditional scripted podcast fare. The show taps into the same internet folklore ecosystem that spawned viral creepypasta characters like Slenderman and Jeff the Killer. That user-generated content approach resonates with audiences hungry for grassroots horror narratives rather than studio-produced supernatural drama.
Be Afraid Media's acquisition signals the podcast industry's appetite for established horror properties with engaged listener bases. The network joins a crowded horror podcast space that includes iHeartMedia's "Lore" with Aaron Mahnke, Spotify's slate of Original podcasts, and independent series like "The Magnus Archives." Horror podcasts have proved durable audience draws, particularly among younger listeners who grew up consuming creepypasta content on forums and Reddit.
Grilz's dual role as host and network leader positions him as a creative executive within Be Afraid's structure. This arrangement mirrors how successful podcast hosts like Marc Maron have gained production power at networks, though podcast leadership roles often involve less formal authority than traditional media roles.
The timing reflects Be Afraid Media's expansion ambitions. Horror content consumption remains robust across platforms, from elevated films like "Hereditary" and "The Babadook" to streaming series like "The Haunting of Hill House." Podcasts represent a lower-cost distribution channel for horror narratives, with listener engagement metrics tracking consistently strong across the genre.
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