Pay for Podcasts
One of the most popular podcasts around, the Ricky Gervais show, just annouced that the “second season” will be available - for a price. The first “season” of the show - 12 episodes - was sponsored by the Gaurdian UK, and I had been wondering if they were going to re-up the show once the 12 episodes were done. However, it turns out that the show will be going over to Audible for $7 a month. The original article (available on bit-tech) notes that this may answer the question “will people pay for radio shows on the net?”. I sincerely hope that this won’t provide the definitive answer - while I think its a great experiment and is worthy of examination, I would hope that a number of different types of podcasts either try something like this or something along the lines of sponsorship, to see which one works. Personally, I doubt I’ll be subscribing, despite Gervais’ show being in my podcatcher client - I don’t listen to it enough to make the move to pay for play. However, there are podcasts I get that I would pay for - ones like Inside the Net or Slice of Sci Fi - that either provide me with information I won’t find anywhere else, or entertainment that I can’t get anwhere else.
I’m interested in hearing what you, the reader, would consider in terms of a pay for play podcast. Are there any that you can’t live without? Or are there some that you consider so useful you would pay for them? Or, like me, would you rather see a little sponsorship rather than have to pay for the content yourself?
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Jeff said,
February 21, 2006 @ 7:42 pm
The popularity of podcasting began because it was free. I frequently just jump in and start listening to new podcasts all the time but I would stop if there was a pay system. And since this is the method that I go about listening (and I would guess many others do as well) sponsorship would likely be the best route to take. The initial pay obstacle would likely be a hurdle to many new listeners.
However, other pay methods should also be persued. I was listening to TWIT this morning and they mentioned a “hoodie” sale and I immediatley went to their site to look into it sadly it was a sale for another company that all the hosts enjoy (the sucker that I am, I still bought one, heh). However in the show comments, there was post after post of people wanting to buy a TWiT hoodie. Balancing donations with merchandise and reasonable and respectful sponsorship would likely succeed.
Corrie said,
February 22, 2006 @ 8:45 am
I agree with you - but can also see where “larger” names - i.e., Gervais, or the NPR shows like Fresh Air that are also available as podcasts on the Audible system) - etc, are interested in persuing a subscription method but I do not think that the larger podcasting world is (or are they?). In fact, TWiT considered a subscription method in the past as well, but opted against it (something I was very glad to see) in favor of sponsorship and merchandise.
I think that the one payment system that doesn’t necessarily work (unless done as an NPR-style fundraiser) is donations - I just don’t think that donations actually work (partially because I just donated to a content provider for the first time in the 12 years I’ve been on the Internet last week. D’oh). However, merchandise? Absolutly. And now I want a TWiT hoodie….
Jeff said,
February 22, 2006 @ 2:32 pm
Long live TWiT for making the right decision. For now, I think it is too soon to expect a substantial following into the subscription world.
I think donations are the way of the future. Yes, there has been a lag with people accepting the new method for rewarding good production and creation but it is a good system. I was recently talking with a friend about music groups adding “donations” to their sites because so many people illegally obtain the music (which will always happen) there needs to be an avenue to repay the creators. Some people won’t buy a whole CD for $17 but will gladly give $5. But right now they can’t because there is no way to do it. In time, as culture shifts to find a solution I see donations playing a bigger part.
Jeff said,
February 22, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
btw - I don’t even know who this gervais character is, but you know what, I am going to go find out right now for free!