PRX
PRX is a nonprofit public media organization operating a two-sided audio marketplace (PRX Exchange) and podcast publishing platform (Dovetail), serving 935+ public radio stations, 260+ podcast publishers, and millions of monthly listeners across the U.S.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What PRX does
PRX (Public Radio Exchange) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public media organization founded in 2003 and headquartered across Boston and Minneapolis. It operates a two-sided audio marketplace and technology platform serving three constituencies: independent audio producers and podcast publishers seeking distribution and monetization infrastructure, 935+ public radio stations across all 50 U.S. states seeking programming content, and listeners of public radio and podcasts. Its core products are PRX Exchange, an open online marketplace where producers upload and license audio stories and series for broadcast on member stations, and PRX Dovetail, an IAB Podcast Measurement 2.1 Certified podcast publishing platform providing content management, real-time analytics, sharable embeddable players, and dynamic audio ad insertion validated at scale by Serial (100M+ downloads) and S-Town.
PRX generates revenue through five principal streams: listener and donor contributions (501(c)(3) IRS #263347402), corporate sponsorship and underwriting of its content portfolio (including Reveal, The Moth, Snap Judgment, The World, and Latino USA), recurring Dovetail platform service fees from 260+ podcast publishers (Radiotopia, Night Vale Presents, Gen-Z Media, GBH, TED Audio Collective), recurring broadcast distribution fees from 935+ station affiliates, and foundation grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, MacArthur Foundation, Knight Foundation, Templeton Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The 2018 merger with Public Radio International (PRI) substantially expanded its content portfolio and station footprint, adding flagship programs such as The World and Latino USA. Complementary units include PRX Productions (bespoke audio production for commercial partners including Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's), PRX Remix (a 24/7 curated streaming channel available via SiriusXM, smart speakers, and TuneIn), the Radiotopia podcast network (founded 2014 in partnership with Roman Mars of 99% Invisible), and the PRX Podcast Garage community training facilities in Boston and San Francisco. Leadership is led by CEO Kerri Hoffman with a board drawing from major public media organizations (GBH, Oregon Public Broadcasting, KQED, WHYY) and industry leaders including Google and PBS NewsHour.
PRX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PRX
- Legal name
- PRX
- Website
- https://prx.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PRX is a nonprofit public media organization operating a two-sided audio marketplace (PRX Exchange) and podcast publishing platform (Dovetail), serving 935+ public radio stations, 260+ podcast publishers, and millions of monthly listeners across the U.S.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PRX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Media Technology Platform
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts) (MPACADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Podcast Video Podcast Hosting & Multi-Platform Publishing (MPACADAM), PR, Reputation Management & Earned Media Platforms (BPAMALAO), Event PR & Communications Support (BPAFADAO)
Keywords
Where PRX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
PRX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (IRS #263347402), PRX relies on donor support from individuals. Donors contributing more than $5,000 appear in IRS 990 filings; donors over $1,000 are recognized publicly on the Ambassador Council page.
- Sponsorship and Underwriting: Podcast and broadcast show sponsorship opportunities for brands. PRX offers sponsorship deals across its portfolio of premiere shows including Reveal, The Moth, Snap Judgment, and The World.
- Dovetail Platform Services: Podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and dynamic ad insertion services for publishers. Serves 260+ podcasts including Radiotopia, Night Vale Presents, Gen-Z Media, GBH, and TED Audio Collective.
- Broadcast Distribution Fees: Station licensing and distribution services for broadcast programming. PRX distributes to more than 935 stations across the U.S.
- Grants and Foundation Funding: Support from foundations including Corporation for Public Broadcasting, MacArthur Foundation, Knight Foundation, Templeton Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Donation-based support model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels10 records
PRX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PRX operates a public media technology and content platform built around two core products: PRX Dovetail, a privacy-first podcast publishing platform with content management, analytics, and dynamic ad insertion serving 260+ podcast publishers and networks, and PRX Exchange, an open online marketplace where independent producers upload audio that is licensed and broadcast by 935+ U.S. public radio stations. The company also produces and distributes original audio programming (including Reveal, The Moth Radio Hour, Snap Judgment, The World, and Radiotopia network podcasts), operates the 24/7 PRX Remix streaming channel, provides audio production services through PRX Productions, and runs community recording and training facilities at Podcast Garage locations in Boston and San Francisco.
Product overview
PRX operates as a comprehensive public media technology and content company offering a platform-plus-services portfolio. The core products are PRX Dovetail (a privacy-first podcast publishing platform with content management, analytics, and scalable dynamic ad insertion) and PRX Exchange (an open audio marketplace connecting independent producers with public radio stations for broadcast distribution). These are complemented by PRX Publishing Platform for direct podcast publishing, PRX Remix for 24/7 streaming of curated independent content, PRX Productions for bespoke audio production services, Podcast Garage for community training and recording facilities, and the Radiotopia podcast network. Dovetail enables publishers to manage and monetize podcasts while Exchange distributes content to 935+ radio stations. Together, the platform serves independent creators, public radio stations, and major podcast networks, reaching 25 million monthly broadcast listeners and 100 million monthly podcast downloads.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Radiotopia: A podcast network for ambitious independent podcasters, empowering creators to deliver well-crafted, innovative audio while retaining rights and creative control across the network. Part of PRX with support from grants, sponsors, and listener contributions.
- Dovetail
- PRX Exchange
- PRX Remix
- PRX Productions
- PRX Podcast Garage
Products and services
- PRX Dovetail A privacy-first podcast publishing platform providing content management, real-time analytics, and scalable dynamic ad insertion for podcast publishers and networks. Dovetail is IAB Podcast Measurement 2.1 Certified and serves 260+ podcasts including Radiotopia, Night Vale Presents, Gen-Z Media, GBH, TED Audio Collective, and The Moth.
- PRX Exchange (Public Radio Exchange) An open online marketplace where independent producers upload audio documentaries, stories, and series that are reviewed, licensed, and broadcast on-air by 935+ public radio stations across the U.S. The largest open audio distribution marketplace for public radio programming.
- PRX Publishing Platform Podcast publishing infrastructure enabling creators to upload and describe audio, video, and images, then distribute to podcast feeds, custom embeddable players, shareable links, and smart speakers. Multiple team members can manage access across shows.
- PRX Productions An in-house audio production team of directors, editors, sound designers, engineers, and producers that creates podcasts, broadcast shows, experiential audio, and sonic identifiers for mission-aligned partners including Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, Simon & Schuster, and America Abroad Media.
- PRX Remix A 24/7 audio streaming channel featuring the best stories and podcasts handpicked from independent creators, available via smart speakers, TuneIn, SiriusXM (channel 123), and public radio stations nationwide.
- Podcast Garage Community recording studios and podcast training spaces for audio creators located in Boston and San Francisco (in partnership with KQED). Provides recording and production resources, hands-on training for makers of all experience levels, and event space for audio enthusiasts.
- Radiotopia Podcast Network A podcast network created through partnership between PRX and Roman Mars that empowers independent podcasters (including Ear Hustle, Song Exploder, Normal Gossip, Articles of Interest) to deliver well-crafted, innovative audio while retaining rights and creative control.
Quantifiable outcome
- Handles 100M+ downloads with dynamic ad insertion for Serial Season 2
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use PRX
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PRX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
PRX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- RadiotopiacorePodcast network created through partnership between PRX and producer Roman Mars. Empowers independent podcasters to deliver well-crafted audio while retaining rights and creative control. Includes Ear Hustle, Song Exploder, Normal Gossip, and other award-winning shows. Supported by grants, sponsors, and listener contributions.
- GBHcoreMajor public media producer and distributor. PRX merged with Public Radio International (PRI) in 2018, which had 40-year legacy with headquarters in Minneapolis. Partnership enables distribution of The World, public radio's longest-running daily global news program, reaching new milestone audience.
- TEDcoreTED Audio Collective uses PRX Dovetail infrastructure as foundation. Dovetail's dynamic audio insertion technology enables TED's 'surprise and delight' experiment for podcast discovery across the TED Audio Collective network.
- Night Vale PresentscorePodcast network distributed via Dovetail platform, serving ambitious independent podcasters.
- Gen-Z MediacorePodcast network distributed via Dovetail platform, serving younger audience demographics.
- Futuro MediacoreAward-winning nonprofit newsroom. Futuro Media and PRX won 2022 Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting for 'Suave' podcast. Partnership produces Latino USA and other acclaimed journalism.
- SmithsonianmajorSmithsonian podcasts distributed via PRX, bringing museum and cultural content to public radio audiences.
- PBSmajorPublic Broadcasting Service content distributed via PRX platforms.
- KQEDmajorLeading public media station in San Francisco. Partnership includes Podcast Garage San Francisco opened in 2021 at KQED's new headquarters, providing community recording space and events for Bay Area audio creators.
- Greater Good Science Center at UC BerkeleyminorAcademic podcast partner producing content on psychology and social science topics.
- Station Resource Group (SRG)coreOriginal founding partner in 2003 collaboration with Atlantic Public Media that established PRX. SRG members included KQED, KUOW, KUT, WBEZ, GBH, WKSU, WNYC, WPSU, WUNC, WVPE, and WYSO.
- Atlantic Public MediacoreFounding partner in PRX's 2003 establishment alongside Station Resource Group. Inventive public radio production and training organization whose work includes Transom.org.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PRX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Public Media (APM): Major public radio distributor and producer (Marketplace, A Prairie Home Companion, APM Reports). Competes with PRX Exchange in syndication to public radio stations and offers comparable content distribution and podcast infrastructure.
- Acast: Global podcast hosting, monetization, and analytics platform with dynamic ad insertion. Operates the Acast Open marketplace and serves independent and enterprise podcasters, competing directly with Dovetail's publishing infrastructure and monetization tools.
- GBH: Major public media producer (The World, Frontline, PBS NewsHour partner) and PRX board-represented partner. Comparable as a major U.S. public media organization producing award-winning content and serving as both content creator and station operator.
- WNYC Studios: Public radio podcast studio producing flagship shows (Radiolab, On the Media, Freakonomics Radio). Comparable in producing and distributing award-winning public radio podcasts while operating with a public media mission similar to PRX.
- Megaphone (Spotify): Enterprise podcast hosting and dynamic ad insertion platform serving major publishers (Vox, The Ringer, ESPN). Closest direct competitor to Dovetail's enterprise podcast publishing, monetization, and programmatic ad serving capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- NPR: Largest U.S. public radio entity and dominant content distributor to member stations. Operates a major podcast platform (NPR One) and competes with PRX Exchange for station affiliations, while NPR-distributed podcasts often compete with PRX-hosted titles.
- BBC Studios: Global public-service broadcaster with significant podcast distribution (BBC Sounds, BBC Studios podcast network). Comparable as a public media entity producing and distributing award-winning podcast and radio content internationally.
- iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. radio broadcaster with significant podcast operations (iHeartPodcasts). Combines terrestrial radio scale with podcast production and distribution, competing with PRX's broadcast-and-podcast hybrid model on both sides of the business.
- Spotify (Podcasting Division): Dominant commercial podcast platform with exclusive content deals (Joe Rogan, Call Her Daddy), hosting infrastructure, and dynamic ad insertion (Spotify Audience Network). Competes with Dovetail for premium podcast hosting and monetization at massive scale.
Emerging players
- Wondery (Amazon): Premium podcast studio and network (acquired by Amazon), producing narrative and investigative podcasts with exclusive distribution on Amazon Music/Audible. Competes with PRX for narrative journalism talent and premium advertising budgets.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PRX social profiles
Digital presencePRX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PRX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
PRX subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
PRX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PRX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PRX
What does PRX do?
PRX operates a public media technology and content platform built around two core products: PRX Dovetail, a privacy-first podcast publishing platform with content management, analytics, and dynamic ad insertion serving 260+ podcast publishers and networks, and PRX Exchange, an open online marketplace where independent producers upload audio that is licensed and broadcast by 935+ U.S. public radio stations. The company also produces and distributes original audio programming (including Reveal, The Moth Radio Hour, Snap Judgment, The World, and Radiotopia network podcasts), operates the 24/7 PRX Remix streaming channel, provides audio production services through PRX Productions, and runs community recording and training facilities at Podcast Garage locations in Boston and San Francisco.
Is PRX a public or private company?
PRX is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PRX founded?
PRX was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PRX based?
PRX is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does PRX make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship and Underwriting, dovetail Platform Services, broadcast Distribution Fees and grants and Foundation Funding.
Who are PRX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Public Media (APM), Acast, GBH, WNYC Studios and Megaphone (Spotify). Broad incumbents are NPR, BBC Studios, iHeartMedia and Spotify (Podcasting Division). Wondery (Amazon) is listed as an emerging player.
Does PRX have an API?
No public API is recorded for PRX.
What industry is PRX in?
PRX's product category is Public Media Technology Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAF, Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts), with a secondary code of MPACADAM, Podcast Video Podcast Hosting & Multi-Platform Publishing. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7822.