Podcasts have become increasingly popular in recent years, with 42 percent of Americans 12 and older reporting that they had listened to one in the previous month, according to a report by Edison Research. However, making money in this saturated market can be a challenge due to limited advertising revenue.
One company, PodCo, founded last year, is aiming to turn a profit by the second quarter of 2024. The company plans to introduce 10 new podcasts this year, featuring former stars of Disney and Nickelodeon teen sitcoms. These include “Pretty Little Pod” with Shaw and Tammin Sursok from “Pretty Little Liars” and “Tread Carefully” with Kira Kosarin from “The Thundermans.”
PodCo’s founder, Romano, explained that her goal is not to capitalize on nostalgia but to provide a platform for these former stars to feel heard and empowered. The hosts of the podcasts have not shied away from getting personal, discussing their experiences in the entertainment industry and beyond.
However, as they navigate this new platform, some hosts have found themselves in hot water. Recently, the stars of “Ned’s Declassified” appeared in a TikTok live video where they appeared to mock Drake Bell, a former star of “Drake & Josh” who shared his account of being sexually abused by his dialogue coach in a new documentary series.
Despite the challenges and controversies, PodCo and other podcast companies continue to attract a growing audience, showing the power and influence of this medium in today’s digital age.
