SoundStack
SoundStack is an Audio-as-a-Service platform providing podcast and radio broadcasters with integrated streaming, delivery, programmatic monetization, unified analytics, and automated royalty reporting across a global CDN, serving 14,000+ partners including Bonneville, Associated Press, KCRW, WBGO, and Blubrry.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What SoundStack does
SoundStack is an Audio-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform that provides podcast publishers, radio broadcasters, and digital audio businesses with integrated infrastructure for live streaming, podcast hosting and delivery, programmatic monetization, unified analytics, and automated royalty reporting. The company operates a global CDN across nine data center locations, a proprietary Dynamic Audio Server (DAS) for server-side ad insertion, and the SoundStack Engine as its core delivery backbone. Its product suite spans hosting and delivery modules (Streaming, Podcasting, Splice broadcast-to-podcast, Players, Encoding), advertising and monetization modules (Direct Ads, a programmatic Marketplace exchange, Connectors for multi-SSP integration, Ad Control, Smart Ad Markers), and insights modules (Audience Analytics, automated Royalty Reporting). The Live365 sub-brand serves over 4,000 daily internet radio broadcasters with bundled music licensing covering SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR.
The company serves four primary customer segments: enterprise broadcasters and podcasters (Bonneville International, Associated Press, KCRW, KUT/KUTX, WBGO), buy-side advertising partners accessing 100+ million listeners, podcast networks (Kast Media, Pantheon), and hosting platforms (Blubrry, Zeno Media). Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining tiered platform subscriptions (Live365 at $19-$59/month), quote-based enterprise contracts, programmatic marketplace commissions on dynamic ad auctions, and direct ad sales. SoundStack distributes content to tens of millions of end-users daily and surfaces over six billion monthly ad opportunities across 14,000+ platform partners. The company emphasizes publisher-first independence, tech-agnostic integration, and a "helpful humans" service model as competitive differentiators.
Founded as EmpireStreaming in 2007 by CEO Jon Stephenson and rebranded to SoundStack in April 2022, the company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, operates as a private company with 70+ employees, and maintains active presence at industry events including Podcast Movement, SXSW, NAB Show, Advertising Week, and Cannes. SoundStack has not disclosed external institutional funding rounds.
SoundStack firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SoundStack
- Legal name
- SoundStack, Inc.
- Website
- https://soundstack.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SoundStack is an Audio-as-a-Service platform providing podcast and radio broadcasters with integrated streaming, delivery, programmatic monetization, unified analytics, and automated royalty reporting across a global CDN, serving 14,000+ partners including Bonneville, Associated Press, KCRW, WBGO, and Blubrry.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SoundStack industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio Streaming & Podcast Technology Platform
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Sound Recording Industries (5122), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Audio & Social Audio Platforms (MPAIADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC), Podcast Live & Interactive Podcast Platforms (Live Shows, Call-ins) (MPACADAJ), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)
Keywords
Where SoundStack is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SoundStack business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Platform/Subscription Fees: Tiered subscription pricing for access to SoundStack platform features including hosting, delivery, analytics, and monetization tools. Live365 offers $19/month non-copyright packages and $59/month with music licensing.
- Programmatic Marketplace Commission: Revenue share from programmatic ad auctions where each impression is auctioned to the highest bidder. Publishers receive revenue from dynamically inserted ads.
- Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI): Server-side dynamic ad insertion for live streams and podcasts, enabling real-time ad serving based on geography, timing, and listener data.
- Direct Ad Sales: Managed direct-sold campaign capabilities for enterprise broadcasters and networks.
- Live365 Broadcasting Services: Internet radio broadcasting platform with royalty coverage and licensing bundled into subscription pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Live365 Non-Copyright Package |
| Subscription | Monthly | Live365 Music/Copyright Package |
| Hybrid | Annual | Enterprise Platform |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
SoundStack product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SoundStack provides an Audio-as-a-Service platform that enables audio publishers, broadcasters, and podcasters to deliver, monetize, and measure live audio streaming, podcasts, and internet radio through a unified infrastructure. Its offerings span hosting and delivery, programmatic and direct advertising (via its Marketplace exchange and Dynamic Audio Server for ad insertion), and cross-channel analytics and royalty reporting. Live365, a wholly-owned sub-brand, adds internet-radio broadcasting with bundled music royalty licensing (SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR).
Product overview
SoundStack is an Audio-as-a-Service (AaaS) company offering a unified platform with modular products for audio publishers. The core platform is SoundStack Engine, which provides foundational audio infrastructure. The product portfolio spans three main areas: (1) Hosting & Delivery including Streaming, Podcasting, Splice (broadcast-to-podcast), Digital Asset Maximization, Players, and Encoding; (2) Advertising & Monetization including Direct Ads, Marketplace (programmatic exchange), Connectors (SSP/ad server integration), Ad Control, and Smart Ad Markers; and (3) Insights & Reporting including Audience Analytics and Royalty Reporting. Live365 serves as a sub-brand for internet radio broadcasting. The platform enables publishers to access only the solutions they need while benefitting from integrated workflows across the stack.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SoundStack Engine: Flagship audio delivery and streaming infrastructure platform; audio CDN built specifically for live and on-demand audio with automation and global delivery.
- SoundStack Splice
- SoundStack Connectors
Products and services
- SoundStack Streaming Live audio streaming delivery service for publishers and broadcasters, providing global CDN-backed delivery with redundancy for reliable uptime across live audio streams.
- SoundStack Podcasting Enterprise-grade podcast hosting, distribution, monetization, and measurement tools for podcast publishers of all sizes, including HLS adaptive bitrate delivery.
- SoundStack Splice Broadcast-to-Podcast and Podcast-to-Broadcast automation tool that captures live stream segments and converts them into on-demand podcast episodes (and vice-versa), enabling linear broadcasters to reach non-linear listeners.
- SoundStack Players Custom audio player creation tool that lets publishers build and share branded custom audio players in minutes.
- SoundStack Encoding Audio encoding service providing tech-agnostic infrastructure to maximize uptime with reliable audio encoding for publishers.
- Digital Asset Maximization Tool that helps publishers unlock more value from existing audio content libraries and maximize utilization of audio assets.
- SoundStack Direct Ads Direct-sold campaign management tool that lets publishers manage direct advertising campaigns quickly and effectively, complementing programmatic monetization.
- SoundStack Marketplace Programmatic ad exchange within SoundStack that auctions each ad impression in an open exchange to the highest-bidding advertiser, with brand safety, sponsor approval, and IAB category review controls.
- SoundStack Connectors Integration tool that lets publishers connect their ad inventory to multiple supply-side platforms (SSPs) and ad servers from a single unified interface, providing more control and access to diverse monetization partners.
- SoundStack Audience Analytics Single-point analytics dashboard that delivers unified podcast and streaming audience insights for better decision-making across all audio content.
- SoundStack Royalty Reporting Automated royalty reporting service via SoundStack Insights that ensures rights holders get paid fairly and quickly with less manual effort, starting with SoundExchange integration.
- Live365 Internet Radio Broadcasting Platform
Companies that use SoundStack
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
SoundStack technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature10 records
SoundStack partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, major, core and pilot.
- Associated PressstrategicAssociated Press teams with SoundStack to power 24/7 news audio stream, leveraging SoundStack's infrastructure for reliable continuous news delivery.
- BarometerstrategicAudio ad market intelligence platform partnership to enhance programmatic audio advertising capabilities and market data.
- AudacymajorLive365 stations available on Audacy app expanding distribution to Audacy's millions of listeners.
- Global Music Rights (GMR)strategicLive365 secured blanket licensing agreement covering GMR's music repertoire, enabling stations to play licensed music without copyright concerns.
- Kast MediacoreIndependent podcast network partnership for delivery and monetization, ensuring great podcasters keep creating content.
- Zeno MediacorePlatform supporting diverse global communities through audio programming in native languages. SoundStack provides hosting, delivery, and monetization for Zeno's international podcasters.
- BlubrrycorePodcast hosting platform partnership enabling programmatic advertising delivery for Blubrry podcasters. Every show on Blubrry can now monetize through SoundStack's programmatic marketplace.
- WBGOcorePublic radio station using SoundStack for programmatic advertising on internet streams. WBGO implemented SoundStack Marketplace to replace lost CPB funding, generating thousands in incremental monthly revenue while maintaining brand safety through marketplace controls.
- Bonneville InternationalcoreMajor media company using SoundStack for full-stack podcast and streaming technology. Partnership covers dynamic ad insertion, programmatic monetization, audience insights, and global CDN delivery across multiple stations and podcast properties.
- KCRWcorePublic radio station partnering with SoundStack to enhance digital media capabilities and storytelling reach to diverse audiences.
- KUT/KUTXcoreAustin public radio station using SoundStack for reliable global streaming with CDN redundancy for news (Texas Standard) and music programming (Austin Music Experience).
- TuneInmajorLive365 stations available on TuneIn platform through existing distribution partnership, expanding audience reach for internet broadcasters.
- iHeartRadiomajorLive365 distribution partnership making stations available through iHeartRadio app, providing access to smart speaker and car audiences.
- Pantheon (Music Podcast Network)pilotMusic podcast network piloting podcast-to-broadcast capability on Live365 platform, with full music royalty coverage for complete episodes including licensed tracks.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
SoundStack competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Acast: Acast is a global podcast hosting and monetization platform offering programmatic ad marketplace, hosting, and analytics. It directly competes with SoundStack's Marketplace, hosting, and DAI capabilities for podcast publishers and networks.
- StreamGuys: StreamGuys provides audio streaming infrastructure, CDN, and podcast delivery for broadcasters. Closely comparable to SoundStack's Engine and Streaming products from an infrastructure standpoint.
- Libsyn: Libsyn is one of the longest-running podcast hosting and distribution platforms, serving independent podcasters and networks. Comparable to SoundStack on hosting, distribution, and basic monetization.
- Audioboom: Audioboom is a podcast hosting and ad-tech platform serving independent producers and networks. Directly comparable to SoundStack's podcast hosting, dynamic ad insertion, and Marketplace offerings.
- PRX: PRX is a public-media podcast network and technology platform that distributes and monetizes shows for stations and independent producers. Comparable to the public-radio and podcast-network use cases SoundStack serves (KCRW, KUT, WBGO).
- ART19 (Amazon): ART19 provides podcast hosting, ad serving (including dynamic insertion), and audience analytics, and is owned by Amazon. Directly competes with SoundStack's hosting, DAI, and Marketplace stack for podcast networks.
- Triton Digital: Triton Digital provides audio streaming infrastructure, programmatic ad serving, and audience measurement for broadcasters and podcasters. Overlaps heavily with SoundStack's SoundStack Engine, Marketplace, and Insights offerings; now part of iHeartMedia.
- Megaphone (Spotify): Megaphone is an enterprise podcast hosting, monetization (programmatic via Spotify Audience Network), and analytics platform now owned by Spotify. Direct head-to-head competitor in the enterprise podcasting tier that SoundStack targets.
Broad incumbents
- Spotify: Spotify operates the leading podcast/audio streaming consumer app and acquired Megaphone and Podz. A broad incumbent in the audio platform space; SoundStack's independence-based positioning is partly a response to Spotify's vertical integration.
- iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest U.S. radio broadcaster and operates iHeartRadio, Triton Digital, and a programmatic audio ad business. A broad incumbent whose investments in ad-tech and podcast hosting overlap with SoundStack's enterprise offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SoundStack social profiles
Digital presenceSoundStack financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SoundStack leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
SoundStack subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SoundStack funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SoundStack M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SoundStack
What does SoundStack do?
SoundStack provides an Audio-as-a-Service platform that enables audio publishers, broadcasters, and podcasters to deliver, monetize, and measure live audio streaming, podcasts, and internet radio through a unified infrastructure. Its offerings span hosting and delivery, programmatic and direct advertising (via its Marketplace exchange and Dynamic Audio Server for ad insertion), and cross-channel analytics and royalty reporting. Live365, a wholly-owned sub-brand, adds internet-radio broadcasting with bundled music royalty licensing (SoundExchange, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR).
Is SoundStack a public or private company?
SoundStack is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SoundStack founded?
SoundStack was founded in 2009. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SoundStack based?
SoundStack is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does SoundStack make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Platform/Subscription Fees are the primary driver. The others are programmatic Marketplace Commission, dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI), direct Ad Sales and live365 Broadcasting Services.
Who are SoundStack's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Acast, StreamGuys, Libsyn, Audioboom, PRX, ART19 (Amazon), Triton Digital and Megaphone (Spotify). Broad incumbents are Spotify and iHeartMedia.
Does SoundStack have an API?
No public API is recorded for SoundStack.
What industry is SoundStack in?
SoundStack's product category is Audio Streaming & Podcast Technology Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAD, Live Audio & Social Audio Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMAJAC, Music & Audio Streaming Platforms. Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7311.