Auddia, a company specializing in AI-driven audio technologies, has launched its first beta program for subscription Pay-Per-Play podcasting with Ultimate Motorcycling Magazine’s podcast, Motos And Friends. This initiative, which commenced on July 1st, 2024, is designed to offer ad-reduced podcast episodes while providing higher compensation to podcast creators compared to traditional ad-supported models.

“We at the Motos And Friends understand the interruptive downside to advertising in podcasting, and we’ve always been thoughtful about integrating relevant sponsorship content into our episodes,” said Arthur Coldwells, the founder and host of Motos And Friends. “Auddia’s approach represents an attractive economic model for us, one that does not require interrupting the content the listener is enjoying, and we’re excited to see how our audience responds.”

Details of the Beta Program

The beta program will run for 90 days, during which new episodes of Motos And Friends will be delivered through Auddia’s Seamless Play technology. This technology uses AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to identify and avoid ads, providing listeners with a smoother and less interrupted experience. Podcast owners, in turn, will be compensated at roughly double the average rate of ad-supported podcasts per play or download on the faidr app.

“We’re thrilled to launch this partnership with Motos And Friends podcast,” said Michael Lawless, CEO of Auddia.

Auddia’s CEO, Michael Lawless, also highlighted the economic advantages of this partnership, stating that the model aims to create a stronger financial environment for podcasters. This new approach contrasts with traditional advertising revenue, which can be inconsistent and often siphoned by ad networks and salespeople. By compensating podcasters directly for each play, Auddia ensures that a larger portion of revenue goes to the content creators.

In addition to the ongoing beta program, Auddia plans to launch its faidr app on CarPlay and Android Auto in the coming weeks. The company is also in discussions with several other podcast partners to expand the Pay-Per-Play program and will announce further developments as they occur.

INSIDER TAKE

Auddia’s collaboration with Ultimate Motorcycling Magazine is a strategic move to test and refine its Pay-Per-Play model, potentially transforming the podcast monetization landscape. By focusing on direct payments per play, the company addresses the financial instability many podcasters face under traditional ad-supported models. This approach not only promises higher earnings for podcasters but also enhances the listening experience by reducing interruptions.

But will consumers pay? That remains to be seen. The success of this beta program could pave the way for broader adoption in the podcasting community, or not. We look forward to seeing how successful this beta program turns out to be.