In 2021, as part of Audacy’s broader investment in digital audio, they acquired Podcorn—a platform that had already made a name for itself in the podcasting world. Originally founded in 2019 as a self-service marketplace, Podcorn was built to empower independent podcasters of all sizes by directly connecting them with brands for host-read sponsorships. This open marketplace model gave creators the freedom to set their own pricing, select brands that aligned with their shows, and get paid for a variety of custom host-read ad opportunities—from sponsored segments to product mentions.

Over the years, the Podcorn Marketplace became a trusted hub for thousands of podcasters, helping them secure meaningful sponsorships and turn their passion into profit. But as the podcasting landscape evolved, so did the needs of creators. It became clear that while many podcasters loved booking direct sponsorships, they also wanted an easier, more passive way to monetize their content—without constantly chasing deals.

At the same time, we observed a shift in advertiser and brand requirements. Brands increasingly demanded more advanced technical capabilities, enhanced tracking for ad performance, and new methods for purchasing ads. Rather than buying ads on a show-by-show basis, advertisers now prefer audience-based buys, allowing them to target specific listener demographics across multiple shows.

This evolution in buying behavior highlighted the need for a more sophisticated platform that could meet the evolving demands of both creators and advertisers.

This shift in creator and advertiser needs sparked the development of Podcorn Hosting. We recognized that podcasters needed more than just a marketplace—they needed a full-service platform that could handle hosting, distribution, and monetization, all in one place. By introducing hosting capabilities with dynamic ad insertion (DAI), we now offer creators the ability to earn revenue passively through automated ads, while still maintaining the flexibility to book their own sponsorships through the marketplace.

Podcorn Hosting combines the original marketplace’s creator-first philosophy with powerful, automated monetization tools. Now, podcasters can enjoy:

Our strength lies in offering competitive CPMs, backed by Audacy’s extensive salesforce, which maintains deep-rooted relationships with major media agencies and local businesses nationwide. Industry-leading brands like T-Mobile, Toyota, and American Express trust these partnerships, alongside countless regional companies across nearly every major U.S. market.

With Podcorn Hosting, ads are placed automatically through dynamic ad insertion. Rather than selling ad space on a show-by-show basis, we sell based on audience demographics. For example, a brand targeting females aged 25+ in Los Angeles could have ads served on any show reaching that audience, regardless of genre. Ads are targeted to individual listeners, so two people could listen to the same episode and hear completely different ads based on their demographics. Listeners outside the U.S. will not receive ads at this time. These ads can be served on new and back catalog episodes.

Ads can appear in the pre-roll slot (which is always open and requires no action from the creator) or in one or more mid-roll slots per episode that you define. On average, we anticipate that about 70% of available ad slots will be filled, though this may fluctuate by quarter.

Podcorn is powered by Audacy’s dedicated sales team, who collaborate with top media agencies and reputable brands, from small businesses to Fortune 50 corporations. Shows on Podcorn are represented by over 500 ad sales staff across 50 U.S. markets. Prominent companies like T-Mobile, American Express, and Toyota are among the major advertisers we work with, complemented by a wide range of regional businesses supported by our local sales teams.

We focus on audience-based targeting. Rather than assigning specific ads to specific shows, we serve ads based on who’s listening. If a campaign targets a specific demographic, any listener who fits that profile can hear the ad. Ads are placed in either the pre-roll slot (before the episode starts) or the mid-roll slots you’ve defined. Because ads are audience-targeted, two listeners tuning into the same episode might hear entirely different ads—or no ads at all.

We sell inventory as premium, and while CPMs vary based on targeting and genre, creators can expect an estimated eCPM (Effective Cost Per Mille (where mille means thousand in Latin)) of $8-$10 after the 50/50 revenue split. The more ad markers you place and the more downloads you get, the more you’ll earn.

By opting into Podcorn Hosting’s free service, you agree to allow ads in your allocated ad slots. While full ad controls aren’t available during Beta, Audacy ensures all ads are brand-safe and adhere to FCC regulations. Additionally, we automatically block ads for ads in potentially objectionable categories like pharmaceutical, cannabis, and political content across all shows. Although you can’t yet handpick specific advertisers, our goal is to provide high-quality, relevant ads that align with your audience.

Podcorn Hosting is more than just a hosting platform—it's the next step in helping creators monetize, excel, and build deeper connections with their audiences. By blending our trusted marketplace with powerful automated ad tools, we’re giving podcasters more freedom, flexibility, and financial opportunity than ever before.

Whether you’re an established creator or just starting out, Podcorn Hosting is designed to scale with you. And this is only the beginning. As we continue to evolve, expect more tools, deeper insights, and smarter monetization strategies—all tailored to help you thrive.

Get in early. Grow your audience. Maximize your earnings. The future of podcasting is here—let’s build it together.