Premium Podcasts. Would you pay to listen to a podcast

**jamesdelfresco** · 09-15-2013, 06:38 PM

I am willing to pay for content if I am committed to the community. There are many shows that I enjoy but would not pay for content because I don't feel a connection to the show/ host. The most successful shows that follow a premium model are the ones that have a very active and committed community

**cseeman** · 09-15-2013, 06:49 PM

I wouldn't and more importantly I don't think this is a viable business model at this stage in the industry's growth.

While people might subscribe to services (Netflix, HuluPlus, etc) and they may be for series content such as "TV show" style content, I can't see many paying for podcasts as I know them. You'd really have to define this though.

Take RippleTraining for example. Their tutorials are all paid but their MacBreackStudio series and their occasional live streams with PixelCorp are all free. It is possible to use free podcasts to entice sales of their in depth tutorials as they do, but that isn't simply "premium" content as its tutorials not podcasts per se, that you buy.

**andrewzarian** · 09-15-2013, 06:53 PM

I personally have been paying for a Podcasting for the last 5 year. The content is only available for paying customers of the website. they offer a daily Podcast and 1 free podcast a week.

**Podnutter** · 09-15-2013, 07:05 PM

I think you are partial correct. Someone coming from regular radio can create a model that works. I am a huge coast to coast fan and pay monthly to have the episodes via podcast.

Originally Posted by cseeman

I wouldn't and more importantly I don't think this is a viable business model at this stage in the industry's growth.

While people might subscribe to services (Netflix, HuluPlus, etc) and they may be for series content such as "TV show" style content, I can't see many paying for podcasts as I know them. You'd really have to define this though.

Take RippleTraining for example. Their tutorials are all paid but their MacBreackStudio series and their occasional live streams with PixelCorp are all free. It is possible to use free podcasts to entice sales of their in depth tutorials as they do, but that isn't simply "premium" content as its tutorials not podcasts per se, that you buy.

**mcphillips** · 09-15-2013, 06:57 PM

If you have what people want behind a pay wall, they will pay for it. Most people want something for free, though.

**TommySulivan** · 09-15-2013, 07:03 PM

Sadly Most podcasts are not good enough to be behind a pay wall. The ones that are successful in doing this are broadcasters that have come from terrestrial radio.

**Spencer Kobren** · 09-15-2013, 07:09 PM

I think the model can work for well produced, compelling Internet broadcasts under the right circumstances…Glenn Beck's done it with http://www.theblaze.com/tv/ , but most traditional broadcasters who've attempted the the pay per play model have failed.

I know Tom Leykis is attempting it, but I'm not sure how well he's doing. His audience, while loyal, seem a little apathetic, unlike Beck's, so I'm assuming that they are less inclined to spend money to listen….I could be wrong.

**cseeman** · 09-15-2013, 07:26 PM

Yet I think of the examples posted are the exception not typical. Yes they come from a broadcast background so they already have very large audiences. This also means that at some point they were offering a lot of free content (usually advertiser supported) to garner that audience. Consider how big these shows were before they were able to offered paid versions.

It's kind of like pointing at a profitable Hollywood film and inferring that any of the thousands of indy filmmakers can just distribute and charge $15 a ticket. Of course I'd pay for an indie film if it had strong recommendations or, I had previous experience with the creators or, was a subject I was deeply into. That doesn't mean that the indy filmmakers is going to garner a mass audience that way though. In other words, most would not pay to see the film and the filmmakers struggle. Podcasting isn't that much different except I expect the "success" rate is even lower than Hollywood.

**andrewzarian** · 09-16-2013, 05:16 AM

Obviously you would have to have a successful show in order to have a premium podcast. I would not recommend start out with a pay show. Here is an example of a premium model that would work

You already have a successful show with advertisers and want to start a second show. some shows will have a harder time finding ads because of the format/topic discussed. You can turn that into a premium show and work off following the other show has.