Unlocking the Financial Secrets Of Smartless
By Tom Seest
How Does the Smartless Podcast Make Money?
At PodcastBig, we help new podcasters develop strategies to create content, traffic, and revenue from podcasts based on our experiences and experimentation.
Smartless only launched its podcast earlier this summer and already ranks among the most popular programs. It was hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes.
Each episode entails one host revealing an unknown guest to the other two hosts and then interviewing them. Produced by SmartLess Media – represented by CAA.
How Does the Smartless Podcast Make Money?
Table Of Contents
What Is Smartless?
Smartless is a weekly celebrity-driven podcast hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. It first launched in July 2020 and now sees new episodes released every Monday. Each episode begins with one of the hosts revealing an intriguing guest before interviewing him or her; their diverse array of guests ensures there is something new for listeners to learn with every episode; additionally, the banter between hosts creates an entertaining listening experience reminiscent of having lunch together!
SmartLess is an example of Hollywood’s podcast boom in recent years. Since becoming a hugely successful show, its three hosts have capitalized on it by organizing live tours across North America to capitalize on its success and signing a multiyear deal with Amazon Music and Wondery, reported to be worth $60 Million or more.
This show is part of the increasingly popular celebrity podcast genre that has drawn in high-profile figures like Kim Kardashian. The popularity of the show can be attributed to its insider perspective on the entertainment industry; hosting topics include how to navigate acting business and balance work life and family obligations while covering fashion, food, and travel topics as well.
Along with their weekly podcast, the trio has also launched a live tour called Smartless on the Road that features interviews and comedy acts. It has already visited various cities, with special guests scheduled at each stop! In addition, videos accompanying some episodes of their podcast have also been made available to them.
Smartless Media was formed as a result of their success with Smartless to create more content for the podcast and beyond. Their focus will include limited series, short form content and live entertainment events.
What Is Smartless?
What Is The Format Of Smartless?
Smartness, hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes since it premiered in the summer of 2020 alongside other celebrity-focused podcasts of that era, quickly rose to prominence due to its lighthearted take on celebrity interviews and a large community of listeners.
The podcast, hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and hosted by Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey among others, offers interviews with celebrities on a weekly basis. These one-on-one discussions may cover their lives or experiences in the entertainment industry and answer any questions from hosts; guests often talk about themselves while also answering host queries. Previous guests of note include George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow Bryan Cranston Elisabeth Moss Ricky Gervais Tina Fey Awkwafina and Billie Eilish among many others!
Apart from interviews, the show also offers other features, including improv comedy and parodies. Furthermore, several companies have collaborated to produce bonus content in the form of videos and behind-the-scenes footage that have become part of this podcast.
Smartness is a celebrity-focused podcast, but its hosts do not shy away from discussing tough issues and delving deep into their guests’ psyches. Their combined rolodex includes hard-to-get guests like Vice President Kamala Harris or Bradley Cooper on the phone for interviews despite an A-lister roster on Smartless; instead, Smartless often feels more like an authentic conversation between friends than anything else.
Last year, the podcast signed a multiyear licensing deal with Amazon Music reported to be worth up to $80 million and announced they would start up a media company dedicated to producing more shows.
Max, Amazon-owned streaming service that is home to HBO and Discovery content, recently premiered Smartless on the Road, an in-depth docuseries starring the trio as they tour their live podcast to stages across America. Fans get an intimate view into their travels, hangouts and preparation for shows – providing fans with their most intimate look yet at them as performers!
What Is The Format Of Smartless?
Who Are The Hosts Of Smartless?
SmartLess’ hosts are Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes – three individuals with fantastic chemistry who manage to extract priceless anecdotes from guests during interviews. Plus they boast an extensive celebrity rolodex which helps draw in high-profile guests for each episode, leading to its great popularity.
Since it launched in July 2020, SmartLess Podcast has quickly become one of the most beloved shows in its genre and even made waves outside the US. Yet despite this impressive success, the show can sometimes feel out-of-place among other successful shows that address more controversial topics or push guests into uncomfortable territory; by contrast, SmartLess appears content to stay in safe celebrity territory.
SmartLess stands out among podcasts due to its hosts being three renowned actors with active entertainment careers, giving it celebrity credibility that other podcasts don’t possess. That doesn’t mean SmartLess isn’t entertaining; but more like a parody of your standard three guys talking shit about with friends and guests!
SmartLess’ success can also be attributed to its talented cast of regulars. These individuals frequently tease each other and poke fun at one another’s quirks in a manner that doesn’t come off as mean-spirited but is instead often comical and enjoyable.
Finally, the show features a diverse set of guests. While celebrities may often make appearances, non-celebrity guests such as New Yorker editor David Remnick and Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo have also joined.
SmartLess offers more than just its weekly podcast; in addition, there’s also a six-part Max docuseries called SmartLess: On The Road which follows hosts as they travel around recording episodes for their podcast. Executive produced by Ross Girard and Sam Jones of SmartLess Podcast hosts, it can be streamed on Amazon Music or Wondery for viewing purposes.
Who Are The Hosts Of Smartless?
How Does Smartless Make Money?
SmartLess’ success stems in large part from its adept ability to tap into cultural zeitgeist. As noted by The New York Times, podcasting industry can often be dismissed as superficial and celebrity-driven – something SmartLess has helped disprove with its meteoric rise atop Podtrac’s Most Popular Podcasts list for 2022; outpacing Joe Rogan and Dave Ramsey shows in terms of popularity!
Sponsorship and advertising are two primary ways that podcasts generate income, and SmartLess has attracted some big brands–such as Spotify, Nike and Lyft–to sponsor its podcast episodes with advertisements or sponsorship deals that help offset production costs for each episode.
Podcasts also generate income through donations made through platforms like Patreon or Patreon for Creators. While these platforms take a cut of each donation made, hosts may opt to keep all or some of it themselves.
SmartLess Studios in Los Angeles serves as home for its podcast studio where merchandise sales and ticketing deals for live events can also generate significant revenues.
SmartLess Media, headed by Richard Korson of Busboy Productions fame and previously working on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Busboy Productions – has expanded beyond podcast production into filmmaking with limited series and narrative podcasts on its slate.
Korson is well-equipped to lead his company as podcasts are among the most lucrative forms of media today. Additionally, Discovery+ plans on airing an upcoming docuseries showcasing Bateman, Hayes and Arnett touring their podcast’s live show across North America in this month.
As proof of how big this deal really is, Amazon Music and Wondery have licensed this podcast with them as part of a multimillion-dollar deal to handle distribution, marketing and ad sales for it; plus they will have first look exclusive rights over any future podcasts produced by SmartLess Media.
How Does Smartless Make Money?
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