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Podcasts Are a Dime a Dozen, but Which Ones Are Worth Hundreds of Millions?
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By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 9 months ago on
August 27, 2024

In a world where countless podcasts compete for attention, shows like Joe Rogan's (left) "The Joe Rogan Experience," Alex Cooper’s (middle) "Call Her Daddy," and the Travis Kelce (right) and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" have risen to the top, securing massive deals and redefining the podcasting landscape. (GV Wire Composite/Anthony W. Haddad)

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In a world where it seems everyone has a podcast — whether they’re discussing sports, politics, comedy, or even a talking frog that gives out advice — a precious few rise far above the rest.

While many podcasts are passion projects between friends, often attracting just a handful of listeners, a handful have turned into media powerhouses worth their weight in gold.

Alex Cooper’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ $125 Million Deal

Alex Cooper recently signed a monumental $125 million deal with SiriusXM, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cooper, already one of the most famous female podcasters globally, will begin her SiriusXM tenure in 2025. This agreement, spanning just over three years, cements Cooper’s status as a podcasting titan.

“Call Her Daddy” began as a sex-positive chat show co-hosted by Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn. The podcast quickly gained traction and was soon acquired by Barstool Sports, where it skyrocketed to success. However, in 2020, Cooper and Franklyn parted ways, and by 2021, Cooper had taken the podcast to new heights with an exclusive deal at Spotify.

The show has since evolved beyond its original premise, becoming what Cooper describes as “a modern twist on feminism.” Now, “Call Her Daddy” covers a broad range of topics and frequently features A-list celebrity guests, including Jane Fonda, Simone Biles, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, RuPaul Charles, and Miley Cyrus. Rolling stone dubbed Cooper as the “Gen Z’s Barbara Walters because of her ability to navigate conversations with such high-profile figures.

Previously, Cooper inked a record-breaking $60 million deal with Spotify in 2021, marking the second-largest podcast deal at the time, only surpassed by Joe Rogan’s Spotify agreement.

Read more about “Call Her Daddy” on The Hollywood Reporter.

Joe Rogan’s $250 Million ‘Experience’

Since 2020, “The Joe Rogan Experience” has been a Spotify exclusive, dominating the platform’s global podcast charts for four consecutive years reports Forbes. In February, The New York Times reported that Rogan’s deal with Spotify was valued at up to $250 million, a $50 million increase from previous estimates.

“The Joe Rogan Experience” has become synonymous with wide-ranging conversations featuring celebrities, scientists, commentators, and comedians. However, this broad reach has also made Rogan a lightning rod for controversy.

In 2022, Rogan faced significant backlash after hosting Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Peter McCullough, who discussed unsubstantiated claims about COVID-19 on the podcast. Their comments sparked a wave of protest, leading prominent artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to pull their music from Spotify in response.

Further controversy erupted when clips resurfaced of Rogan using racial slurs in past episodes, prompting widespread criticism. In response, Rogan issued an apology video and removed several episodes from Spotify.

Despite these controversies, Rogan’s podcast remains a chart-topping success, continuing to draw millions of listeners worldwide.

Read more about “The Joe Rogan Experience” at Forbes.

The Kelce Brother’s $100 Million ‘New Heights’

NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce have secured a massive $100 million, three-year deal with Amazon’s Wondery, announced earlier this week, reports ESPN. The agreement grants Wondery exclusive ad sales and distribution rights for the Kelce brothers’ popular podcast, “New Heights.”

The deal, which begins with this week’s episode set to drop on Wednesday, includes exclusive rights to monetize and distribute both the audio and video versions of the podcast, as well as access to the entire back catalog of episodes.

“New Heights” launched just before the 2022 NFL season, quickly becoming a fan favorite as the Kelce brothers discussed life on and off the football field while interviewing a range of celebrity guests. The podcast’s success has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the coveted Podcast of the Year award at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards.

Travis Kelce, now entering his 11th NFL season as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has seen his celebrity status soar, particularly after his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift became public.

Meanwhile, Jason Kelce recently retired from the Philadelphia Eagles after a distinguished 13-year career and now contributes as an analyst for ESPN.

The Kelce brothers’ move to Wondery marks a significant milestone in their podcasting journey, solidifying “New Heights” as a major player in the podcasting landscape.

Read more at ESPN.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

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