Acast introduces subscription and monetisation tools for podcasters with Acast+

Acast has launched Acast+ in a bid to bring new monetisation options to podcast creators.

With Acast+, podcasters can offer paying subscribers ad-free streams, exclusive content, early access and more. Currently, however, the tools are only available on open listening platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

The podcasting giant said the beta launch makes good on its creator-first mission of giving podcasters of all sizes creative freedom and even more ways to connect with their listeners and make money from their craft.

It reported that some founding partners using the platform had experienced an uplift in revenue of more than 20% already.

Regional managing director for Acast across Australia and New Zealand, Henrik Isaksson, said the company is obsessed with creating new revenue streams for its podcasters.

“We believe all podcasters, of all sizes, deserve to make money from their craft,” he told Radio Today.

“With the introduction of Acast+, we’re further supporting our local creators. Our podcasters such as Osher Gunsberg (Better Than Yesterday, DadPod and Idle Australians) will now have additional ways to engage with their listeners and build stronger relationships with them, all while choosing their revenue streams.

“At the very heart of Acast, we are the home of independent podcasts. We’ll continue to provide our podcasters with the tools they need, while respecting their right to make choices that fit their shows best.”

Johan Billgren, co-founder of Acast, said the company is developing the podcasting industry both with and for creators.

“We firmly believe creators should always be fairly reimbursed for their craft, and it’s important to us that they own the relationship with their listeners, in whichever ways suit their individual show best,” he said.

“With the introduction of Acast+ we’re giving our creators even more ways to connect with listeners, and to grow and monetise their shows, wherever those listeners are — supporting the open podcasting ecosystem and helping the whole industry continue to thrive.”

Matt MacDonald, Acast’s VP of product, said direct support from listeners helps podcasters to deepen their relationships.

“We know monetisation will never be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, so we’ve launched Acast+ to offer podcasters of all sizes a suite of tools that can be mixed and matched however they like.”

Recently, Acast also partnered with payment and subscription platform Patreon, which enabled podcasters to securely distribute patron-only content to audiences across any listening platform.