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WTF with Marc Maron launches Acast+ podcast subscription, bringing paying fans bonus content and exclusive benefits
WTF with Marc Maron launches Acast+ podcast subscription, bringing paying fans bonus content and exclusive benefits
Plus: Acast unlocks 650+ previously paywalled episodes of the podcast, making them available to listeners for free across all listening platforms
2022.07.06
Marc Maron and Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company, are rolling out new content and perks for fans of the legendary podcast WTF with Marc Maron.
Now, fans can sign up for WTF+, a podcast subscription powered by Acast+ that gives paying fans access to weekly bonus episodes, ad break-free listening on back-catalog episodes, and much more. Once a fan signs up to WTF+, they’ll be able to access those subscriber benefits across any supported listening app of their choice — including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and tons of other platforms.
WTF+ offers two monthly subscription tiers:
- The WTF Archives — $3 per month: Get access to all 1300-plus episodes of WTF published since 2009. Back-catalog episodes are ad-free, and recent episodes and some collections may have limited sponsorship mentions.
- The Full Maron — $5 per month: All the perks of The WTF Archives, plus brand-new bonus content every week, direct from Marc. He’s doing listener Q&As, stand-up routines, movie reviews, chats with special guests, and basically anything else he can think of doing into a microphone.
“After nearly 13 years making WTF, I wanted to give fans even more ways to get involved with the podcast,” said Marc, host of the podcast. “I couldn’t think of a better partner to have than Acast, because they allow my fans to access this content across many different platforms.”
Acast has also now unlocked more than 650 historical episodes of the podcast that were previously only available behind a paywall — allowing listeners to access them for free across all podcast platforms. Newly unlocked episodes include fan-favorite interviews with Ta-Nehisi Coates (Episode 878 from January 3, 2018); Jennifer Coolidge (Episode 790 from March 1, 2017); Bruce Springsteen (Episode 773 from January 2, 2017); and many more.
Historical episodes, also known as back-catalog episodes, are extremely popular with listeners and provide them with hundreds of hours of content. Similar interview-based podcasts see more than 50% of their listening happening on back-catalog episodes (i.e. episodes published 30+ days prior), according to a preliminary analysis by Acast.
Brendan McDonald, producer of WTF with Marc Maron, said: “Teaming up with Acast gives us the creative control to bring our fans more benefits than ever, on our own terms. We can’t wait to unlock fan-favorite episodes and bring listeners new content — on every podcast platform.”
WTF with Marc Maron recently joined the Acast Creator Network. Acast hosts and distributes the series, making it widely available to listeners wherever they get their podcasts. The company also monetizes the podcast through ads and sponsorships, and — as of today — its Acast+ subscription offering.
“WTF is using Acast+ to give audiences a front-row seat to one of the most beloved podcasts in the world,” said Veronika Taylor, SVP of the Creator Network at Acast. “It’s been a pleasure helping Marc and Brendan upgrade their podcast offering, unlock new revenue streams, and form deeper connections with their most loyal fans.”
Listeners can access the newly unlocked episodes of WTF with Marc Maron now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or wherever they get their podcasts. They can also subscribe to WTF+ here.
Podcasters looking to set up their own Acast+ subscription can do so here.