Substack Poaches Patreon Stars for Expanded Push Into Podcasting
- ‘The Fifth Column,’ others move to upstart podcast publisher
- Substack launches in Apple app store with a built-in player
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Substack, the online publisher known for hosting columnists like Robert Reich and Bari Weiss, announced a broader push into podcasting on Tuesday, including recruiting four shows from rival Patreon.
The San Francisco-based newsletter company now has dozens of podcasts, many featuring talent lured from other outlets. Substack’s pitch, according to Chief Operating Officer Hamish McKenzie, is offering creators ownership of their subscriber lists. The company has also been providing grants to podcasters who make the switch, although McKenzie declined to say how much the company’s paying. The money is worth it because the shows can be extended into other kinds of media, including print and video, he said.