Acast and Patreon partner to make private podcast distribution easier

Podcasters will now be able to distribute patron-only podcast content across major platforms, thanks to a collaboration between Patreon and Acast.

Patreon is a membership platform which connects creators to their biggest fans, and enables those fans to become paying members, supporting a creator’s content.

The partnership will enable podcasters on Patreon to distribute private, patron-only content to their listeners’ podcast app of choice – including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Overcast and the Acast app.

It is not available on Spotify.

Pocasters can publish content via a private patron-only RSS feed, and manage their private and public feeds from the same place. Acast’s Access technology means podcasters can supply patrons across different membership tiers with secure, unique, patron-only podcast feeds without ‘exclusivity’ being compromised.

They will also have access to data and insights about their listeners, the companies said. Acast noted it is the only podcast company with all four measurement standards compliant with the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

Patreon’s director of creator success, Brian Keller, said the initiative is about changing how creators’ creativity is valued.

“Patreon and Acast have a shared mission of helping creators earn a sustainable income for their art. As podcasting continues to be one of the largest creator categories on Patreon, our work with Acast makes it easier than ever for podcasters to cultivate their communities by delivering exclusive content to their most passionate fans, wherever they like to listen,” he said.

Acast’s chief business and strategy officer, Leandro Saucedo, said all creators should be able to reach the audience their content deserves, and be fairly compensated for it.

“Alongside Patreon, we’re taking our biggest step to date in our mission to support the global creator community, helping podcasters get their content out to more people. Creators thrive in an ecosystem where they can freely create, connect with their audiences, and make a living from their work across any platform — and this collaboration is all about supporting and enabling that,” Saucedo said.

Today’s announcement follows private beta testing by podcasts including Sleep With Me and 90 Day Gays. 

It will be launched for all Patreon podcasters this month.

Drew Ackerman of the Sleep With Me podcast said he loves the integration.

“The analytics let me know that patrons are listening to the content and give me clear insight into exactly what and how they’re consuming it. It’s secure and easy for patrons to get set up, and the fact that there is only one link to share makes it simple for listeners to find the content and brings new patrons to our membership,” Ackerman said.