Podcast Giants Team Up as YouTube Dominates Audio Landscape
Digital media distributor Realm and podcast manager Big IP Talent announced Tuesday they are expanding their partnership to capitalize on the growing dominance of video platforms in podcasting.
The New York-based companies will jointly manage 10 film and TV podcasts, including popular shows like "The John Campea Podcast," "Star Wars Explained" and "Raiders of the Lost Podcast." Realm will handle distribution and monetization while Big IP Talent focuses on acquiring new shows and audience development.
Most of the podcasts started as YouTube channels before expanding to traditional audio platforms, reflecting a broader industry shift toward video-first content creation.
"If your podcast isn't on YouTube, you're already behind," said Molly Barton, CEO and co-founder of Realm. "Realm has a leading position in entertainment, pop culture and fandom podcasts on traditional audio platforms, and our partnership with Big IP gives us tremendous scale on YouTube."
The partnership highlights how podcasting has evolved beyond simple audio distribution. Creators now must navigate multiple platforms simultaneously, from traditional RSS feeds to YouTube's massive video audience to emerging social media platforms.
Strategic Consolidation
The deal brings together complementary expertise as both companies chase the lucrative entertainment podcast market. Realm already manages shows featuring actor Paul Scheer and film critic Amy Nicholson, plus content partnerships with major studios including Netflix, DC, Paramount and Marvel.
Big IP Talent, founded in 2022 by lawyer and former podcast producer Scott Porch, specializes in film and TV content creators who built audiences on YouTube.
"There's a huge benefit to having a big group of film and TV podcasts all in one place, and Realm is really experienced in this space from the work they've done with Netflix, DC, Paramount, Marvel," Porch said.
The expanded slate includes tech-focused shows like "Apple Bitz XL with Brian Tong" and "The Core: All Things Apple TV+" alongside movie review podcasts "Dan Murrell" and "Adam Does Movies."
Platform Evolution
The partnership reflects broader changes in how audiences consume podcast content. Traditional audio-only platforms now compete with YouTube, TikTok and other video-first services for creator attention and advertising dollars.
Realm's "360 monetization" approach helps creators earn revenue across multiple platforms simultaneously, addressing a key challenge for independent podcast producers trying to build sustainable businesses.
The company's leadership team includes veterans from CAA, ESPN, Disney, Penguin Random House, Warner Brothers and NBC Universal. Big IP Talent will continue separately managing four other podcasts distributed through PodcastOne, Studio71, Libsyn and Amplitude Media Partners.
The entertainment podcast category has become increasingly competitive as streaming services launch their own audio content and traditional media companies expand into podcasting. Success now requires both compelling content and sophisticated distribution strategies across an ever-growing number of platforms.
For creators, the partnership offers a glimpse into podcasting's future: multi-platform distribution, professional management and the growing importance of video alongside traditional audio content.
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