Some top podcasts have landed $100 million deals as the 21-year-old medium goes mainstream
Both major U.S. presidential candidates have been flocking to podcasts — audio-based shows users can stream or download online — in an effort to reach voters in the final days of the election.
Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines this week when she appeared on the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast to talk about issues affecting women. And former President Donald Trump has made recent stops at several podcasts including the “The Ramsey Show,” “This Past Weekend with Theo Von,” and the “All-In” podcast with venture capitalists David Sacks, Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, and David Friedberg.
The candidates’ interviews are a testament to the reach and power the 21-year-old medium has garnered in such a short time. Nearly half of all people 12 and older listen to podcasts at least once a month, according to Edison Research. And some top podcasters have landed deals worth over $100 million.
Here, check out the top six highest-paid podcasters.
Actors and friends Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett launched their podcast “SmartLess” in 2020 amid the pandemic. Every week, one host surprises the other two with a special guest — presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton have all appeared on the podcast. This year, Bateman, Hayes, and Arnett signed a three-year deal with SiriusXM (SIRI) reportedly worth over $100 million.
Bill Simmons, a former ESPN (DIS) commentator, launched The Ringer (SPOT) website and podcast network in 2016. The flagship “Bill Simmons Podcast” is regularly one of the most-listened-to sports podcasts in the country. In 2020, he signed a five-year deal with Spotify $SPOT worth $250 million.
This year, comedian Dax Shepard signed a distribution deal with Amazon $AMZN’s (AMZN) Wondery podcast division worth roughly $80 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast was the No. 7 most-listened-to podcast on Spotify $SPOT in 2023.
Comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark are the hosts of the popular true-crime podcast “My Favorite Murder.” In 2022, Amazon $AMZN bought the show’s distribution and advertising rights for over $100 million, Bloomberg reported at the time.
Alex Cooper, the host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, inked a multiyear deal worth $125 million with SiriusXM this past August.
With 14.5 million followers, the “Joe Rogan Experience” was the most listened podcast on Spotify $SPOT in 2023. Earlier this year, the comedian extended his partnership with Spotify for another three years — the deal is reportedly worth $250 million.
