On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 7:42 PM, Tom Wolper <[email protected]> wrote: > On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 8:16 PM, PGage <[email protected]> wrote: >> Our Kevin probably understands this much better than I, but Pollak has >> been talking about his plans to monetize his podcast > Maron has set up a voluntary donation/subscription system. It might > work, as you, as a listener, know exactly what you are paying for. I > can't imagine it will match radio/TV money, but it could show that > money will follow talent rather than advertising or an established > brand.
First time I've heard of podcast donations was in March when Tim Conway Jr. briefly (and explosively) reunited with his former radio sidekick, Brian Whitman. Whitman, who is a talented guy but about as stable as a one-legged table, and Conway ultimately parted ways (frankly, Whitman was brilliant on his own doing "The Fake [Tom] Leykis Podcast," but he had to cease production for legal reasons), and Conway would later talk about how little money there was in comparison to radio. Conway presently works a few hours of weekend shifts and occasionally fills in for LA personalities during the week and earns more than revenue from a top ranked daily podcast (it was #1 on iTunes for quite a while, even after the on-air talent parted ways). They experimented with subscriptions and donations and offered prizes for top-ranked donors (for $25, Whitman will record your outgoing answering machine/voicemail message in the voice of your choosing). Conway's former production duo, Gina Grad and Randy Wang, have since formed their own podcast network, filled mostly with minor personalities from the defunct KLXS 97.1fm in Los Angeles (http://hottalkla.com/). Whether they make enough for anything other than beer and smokes is anybody's guess. Marc Maron is a cult stand up success, and he's building his mainstream cred. back up following his Air America radio show. Even with the JustCoffee sponsorship, I can't imagine his podcast money does more than pay a few utility bills. That said, I've listened to his podcast since week one, and even promoted it on the website (http://www.tvornottv.net/2009/09/11/marc-maron-asks-wtf/). Eventually, he'll get another TV or radio gig and, as seems to be the pattern, once the "real" media wants someone, that someone quickly abondons the podcast. If he tries to bring his show to TV, Pollak will suffer the same fate as the guys who tried to shop around "Mystery Science Theater 3000." Not a lot of media outlets willing to give up two hours of their lineup. I wish my fellow Kevin luck, but network executives are unlikely to go for a guy, a table, an all black set, and a single guest in a long-format interview. I doubt even PBS would take that deal... again. -- Kevin M. (RPCV) -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
