Are you looking to launch a new podcast or promote your existing podcast? With the surge in popularity of podcasts over recent years, understanding where to promote your episode is critical to achieving your goals. Podcast networks provide a platform for podcasters to host, distribute and promote their shows. There are hundreds of podcast networks operating across all genres and content types, so deciding which ones to target can be overwhelming.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 15 best-known podcast networks to join to promote your podcast.
1. What Is a Podcast Network?
A podcast network is a platform where creators can submit and promote their podcasts through mutual partnerships within the network – allowing podcast producers to build an engaged global audience while also connecting with other podcast professionals. It enables podcast creators to connect, collaborate, and uncover new content. Through independent podcast networks, podcasters can access resources such as marketing tools, and audio production services and even monetize while building relationships in the podcast community.
2. Benefits of a Podcast Network
- Market Your Podcast
Marketing your podcast helps grow your audience and increase the visibility of your show. Podcast networks have many marketing tools and solutions to help you gain exposure and reach a wider audience. For instance, you can also set up cross-promotion between members of the comedy podcast networks and sports podcast networks so that you can share your podcast with different listeners.
- Production Help
Podcast networks can be hugely beneficial for those new to podcasting. Most networks will provide valuable resources such as production tips, sound engineering support, and promotional opportunities like featured spots on iTunes or Spotify. Moreover, some podcast networks even give access to exclusive events that offer unique experiences, such as interactive panel discussions or podcast-centred workshops.
- More Listeners
Podcast networks have a large and established audience that can help promote your show to a wider audience. This larger platform help podcast hosts get more listeners, giving them increased exposure and promotion. They may also provide access to exclusive resources such as data analytics, production teams, and ad opportunities. Besides, network distribution can help you reach more listeners through multiple platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
- Generate Ad Revenue
Aside from allowing podcast creators to share their work with a larger audience, small podcast networks also make it easier to generate ad revenue. By pooling resources and efforts together, podcast hosts can leverage these collective advantages and create an environment in which podcast networks encompass vast content, giving them access to wider audiences while creating substantial monetization opportunities.
3. Is Joining a Podcast Network Necessary?
If you are a podcast creator looking to gain exposure for your podcast, joining a podcast network is a great option. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before joining podcast networks –
- What is the percentage of ad revenue?
- Are there any restrictions?
- Will you own the podcast if you leave the network?
- Is there any guarantee on the amount of income?
You will benefit from a more comprehensive level of support and professionalism than independent podcasting can offer. In addition, the additional tools available on podcast networks enable creators the flexibility to do various tasks, such as audio editing on demand. You need to join a podcast network to take your podcast to the next level.
4. Top 15 Podcast Networks To Promote Your Podcast
4.1 BBC Sounds
BBC Sounds is the digital platform and app from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for audio and music content, including podcasts. It offers a wide range of content, from live radio shows and music mixes to exclusive podcasts and audio documentaries. The BBC Sounds Podcast Network features a variety of podcasts produced by the BBC, covering a range of topics, including news, current affairs, history, culture, science, and more. It was launched in 2018 as a replacement for the BBC iPlayer Radio app, with the aim of making it easier for listeners to discover and enjoy BBC audio content.
With a diverse range of topics, it offers a curated selection of podcasts. It is a flexible podcast network with a breadth of audio content in multiple languages. BBC Sounds can be used to promote podcasts by featuring them on the platform and making them easily discoverable to users. By being featured on BBC Sounds, podcasts can reach a wider audience and increase their exposure and popularity.
Compatibility – iOS, Android, and Web
Price – Free
4.2 Pocket FM
Pocket FM is a next-generation podcast player combining audio streaming around handcrafted personalized playlists with contextualized advertising experiences. It is a podcast hosting and distribution platform that provides several features for podcasters to help them reach and engage with their audience. Users can stream podcasts on various genres, including education, astrology, motivation, and love story.
This podcast network brings together multiple podcasts under one umbrella, providing a centralized hub for listeners to access a variety of content. By joining Pocket FM, individual podcasters can benefit from shared audiences, marketing and promotion, and monetary benefits.
Compatibility – Android
Price – Free
4.3 iHeartradio
iHeartRadio is a popular radio and music streaming service owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It offers users access to over 100,000 radio stations, including local AM and FM stations, and the ability to create custom stations based on their favorite artists and songs.
In addition to traditional radio, iHeartRadio also offers a selection of podcasts, live events, and other original audio content. It is one of the best podcast networks, with 158 million registered users, tons of artist streams, podcast channels, and live radio. They have excellent personalization features, which you can sync with your iPhone.With diverse content and hundreds of channels, you can choose the category you want. It is one of the oldest podcast networks that offer multi-genre content. Some popular shows on iHeartRadio are – The Ben Shapiro Show and Crime Junkie.
Compatibility – Android, iOS, and Web
Price: The paid plans (plus) on Android start from $4.99, and on iOS, starts at $5.99.
4.4 Hubspot Podcast Network
Hubspot is one of the most prominent digital marketing companies that launched its podcast network. HubSpot podcast network provides a hosting platform for podcasters to store and distribute their content. It provides analytics about the performance of a podcast, including listener demographics, location, and engagement metrics.
The HubSpot Podcast Network features a number of different shows, each with its own focus and style, but all aimed at helping businesses grow and succeed in the digital age. Also, it provides support and resources for podcasters, including marketing, production, and distribution.
Compatibility – Web
Price – Free
4.5 Wondery
Wondery is a podcast network that produces and distributes many popular audio programs. The network was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Wonders produces and acquires original shows that explore a wide range of topics, including true crime, history, science, and business.
The network’s content is available for listening to on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Some of their popular podcasts include Dr Death, Business Wars, and The Shrink Next Door. By joining the Wondery network, podcasters can benefit from their expertise in audio production, distribution, and marketing and reach a large, engaged audience of listeners.
Compatibility – iOS, Android, Web
Price – Monthly plan starts at $4.99
4.6 TuneIn
TuneIn is a popular online radio and audio streaming service that offers access to over 100,000 radio stations and 5.7 million on-demand programs, including podcasts. TuneIn is easily accessible on any device with an intuitive user interface. It allows listeners to discover, listen to, and share podcasts from a wide range of categories, such as comedy, sports, politics, and technology.
It offers a podcast network that provides an extensive selection of audio content from podcast channels, radio stations, talk shows, and audiobooks. TuneIn offers free and premium tiers, with the latter offering additional features, such as ad-free listening, access to exclusive content, and offline playback.
Compatibility – iOS, Android, and Web
Price – Starts at $4.99/month
4.7 National Public Radio (NPR)
National Public Radio (NPR) is a US-based non-profit media organization that produces and distributes a wide range of news, cultural, and entertainment programs, including podcasts. The NPR podcast network is an excellent destination for anyone looking to promote their podcast and reach a wide lister base. Some of the most popular NPR podcasts include “Fresh Air,” “How I Built This,” “Planet Money,” “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!,” and “Radiolab.” These podcasts are available for free on the NPR website, as well as on popular podcast platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
Additionally, NPR offers a mobile app called NPR One, which provides access to a curated selection of NPR content, including podcasts and local and national news. So whether you want to promote your podcast or want to delve deep into a particular topic, the NPR podcast network has it all. NPR collaborates with its member stations, which are public radio stations located across the US, to produce and distribute its podcasts. This allows NPR to reach a wide and diverse audience and bring local perspectives to its content.
Compatibility – Android, iOS
Price – $8/month
4.8 Podchaser
Podchaser is a podcast network that provides podcast creators with numerous opportunities for podcast promotion and discovery. With an extensive database of podcast ratings, reviews, and detailed episode information, Podchaser makes it easier than ever to find high-quality podcasting content. At the same time, podcast creators benefit from Podchaser’s marketing tools, including featured podcast placement on their homepage and podcast analytics, helping them understand their audience and measure the effectiveness of promotional activities.
Podchaser also has a feature called “Podchaser Lists,” which are curated collections of podcasts created by users or industry experts. These lists can help listeners discover new podcasts and provide additional exposure for shows that may not be as well-known. Besides, its community-driven approach allows users to leave reviews and ratings on podcasts, which can help other users discover new shows and make informed decisions about what to listen to.
Compatibility – Web
Price – Starts at $99/month
4.9 Podimo
Podimo is a European podcast network that offers a platform for podcast creators and listeners. It is a subscription-based service that gives users access to a wide range of exclusive and original podcasts and a large selection of popular shows. Podimo focuses on delivering high-quality, diverse content to listeners and helping independent creators grow their audience and monetize their content.
Podcasters can join the network and benefit from its resources and support, while listeners can access a curated selection of podcasts and enjoy an ad-free experience. The platform offers podcasters a way to earn money from their shows through a subscription-based model, where listeners pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content and support their favorite podcasts.
Compatibility – Android, iOS, and Web
Price – Free
4.10 Anchor
Anchor podcast network offers tools that enable podcast creators to record, edit, promote, and monetize their podcasts. With features like automatic transcription services and embeddable podcast players, podcast creators can publish their podcasts more efficiently. Anchor has built-in distribution capabilities that allow podcasts to be published to a wide range of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. This makes it easy for podcasters to reach a large audience and grow their listenership.
In addition, the anchor podcast network allows podcast creators to manage their podcast analytics in a straightforward dashboard. This has resulted in more efficient and effective podcast promotion for many independent podcasters. Besides, Anchor has partnerships with brands and advertising networks that allow podcasters to earn money from sponsored content.
Compatibility – Web, iOS, Android
Price – Free
4.11 Mindset
Mindset podcast network takes podcast promotion to the next level by understanding the needs of podcasters in creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Its features include various services, from creating promotional graphics to increasing visibility on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Mindset provides podcast producers with everything they need to take advantage of podcast networks and increase success in their creative ventures.
Compatibility – Android, iOS
Price – Free
4.12 The Ringer
The Ringer Podcast Network is a division of The Ringer, a digital media company that focuses on sports, culture, and technology. It is home to a wide range of podcasts that cover a variety of topics, including sports, entertainment, and pop culture. It has partnerships with other media networks and platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, which helps it reach a wider audience and distribute its content to a larger group of listeners.
The Ringer Podcast Network is home to various popular shows that cover sports, pop culture, and technology. Some of the network’s most popular podcasts include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and The Watch.
Compatibility – iOS, Web
Price – Free
4.13 Audioboom
Audioboom is a podcast hosting and distribution platform that operates a podcast network. The Audioboom Podcast Network is home to various popular shows across multiple genres, including true crime, sports, entertainment, and more. Some of the featured podcasts on Audioboom are – MoneyControl, MarketBuzz, and Casefile True Crime. You can promote your podcast seamlessly by joining this podcast network.
Audioboom has partnerships with well-known media organizations and sports teams, including BBC, The Guardian, and TalkSport, to help produce and distribute their podcasts. This podcast network has a strong presence in the UK and the US and is rapidly expanding its reach to other countries around the world. This provides an opportunity for podcasters to reach a large and diverse audience.
Compatibility – Web
Price – Free
4.14 Cadence 13
Cadence13 is a podcast production and distribution company that operates a podcast network. It was founded in 2015 and has quickly become a leading player in the podcast industry, focusing on premium content and high-quality production. Cadence13 provides a range of monetization options for podcasters, including advertising, sponsorships, and listener support. This makes it easier for podcasters to generate revenue from their content.
It features many popular shows, including true crime, sports, business, politics, and more. Being a premium podcast leader, it hosts many interesting and popular podcasts, including – Rotten Mango, The TryPod, and Justaposition.
Compatibility – Web
Price – Free
4.15 PodcastOne
PodcastOne is a leading podcast network based in the United States that features various popular shows across multiple genres, including entertainment, news, sports, true crime, and more. The network is home to some of the most popular podcasts in the world and has a reputation for delivering high-quality content to its listeners. It features some of the best shows like – American Nightmare Series, Final Days on Earth, and The Nick Swisher Show.
In addition to its own podcasts, PodcastOne also distributes podcasts from other independent creators and networks, providing a one-stop-shop for listeners looking for a wide range of high-quality audio content.
Compatibility – iOS, Android, Web
Price – Free
5. FAQs
- What Is the Largest Podcast Network?
iHeartRadio, HubSpot, Kast Media, and Wondery are some of the largest podcast networks.
- Are Podcast Networks Worth It?
Yes. Being a part of a podcast network can help you promote your podcast seamlessly and grow its audience.
- Who Can Join a Podcast Network?
Any podcast owner can join a podcast network by reaching out to the networks they are interested in.
