The Options Insider

What The Options Insider does

The Options Insider (also operating as The Options Insider Media Group) is a privately held, bootstrapped digital media company founded in January 2007 by Mark S. Longo in Chicago. It operates the Options Insider Radio Network, described as the world's only and leading podcast network for options traders, distributing more than 15 themed shows — including flagship The Option Block (1,400+ episodes), Options Boot Camp, Volatility Views, The Crypto Rundown, The Futures Rundown, and the members-only Options Oddities — through a self-serve stack of a WordPress-based website, Libsyn podcast hosting, and Mixlr live audio streaming.

The company's business model is a hybrid of advertising/sponsorship (tastytrade is a visible recurring sponsor and content partner), direct-to-consumer premium membership ("Options Insider Pro" and the Options Oddities show), and opt-in newsletter distribution. It serves primarily retail options traders, with secondary audiences of institutional options professionals, financial media, and options-industry vendors, and operates a horizontal segmentation approach across these personas. Distribution and audience development rely on a community-led, content-first go-to-market motion: multi-channel podcast distribution, social media (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram), live event coverage and production (notably the Options Industry Conference), and reciprocal partnerships with CME Group, Cboe Global Markets, Nasdaq, and the Options Industry Council.

The company has remained small (1-10 employees) and independent, with no documented external funding, acquisition, IPO, or institutional investor activity. Mark Longo continues to serve as Founder & CEO and primary on-air talent, representing both a key continuity asset and a key-person concentration risk.

Name

The Options Insider

Legal name

The Options Insider

Website

https://theoptionsinsider.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Options Insider is a privately held, bootstrapped Chicago-based digital media company operating the Options Insider Radio Network — the world's leading podcast network for options traders — distributing 15+ shows on options, futures, and crypto markets to retail and institutional trading audiences via advertising, sponsorships, and premium memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Premium Membership Subscriptions: Members-only content including Options Oddities for premium members. The site operates a shop/join section for premium access.
2. Advertising & Sponsorships: The website has an advertising page, indicating ad revenue from sponsors. Episodes are sponsored by platforms like tastytrade.
3. Newsletter Distribution: Opt-in newsletter distribution to visitors who register, used to enhance user experience and distribute content.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Options Insider produces and distributes an options-focused digital audio media portfolio via the Options Insider Radio Network, anchored by flagship show The Option Block and 14 additional themed programs covering options education, volatility, futures, crypto, market news, and trading technology. Content is delivered free-of-charge through podcasts, the theoptionsinsider.com website, live streaming, newsletters, and a premium (Options Insider Pro) tier of members-only content.

Product overview

The Options Insider Media Group operates a multi-platform media company centered on the Options Insider Radio Network—the world's leading podcast network for options traders. The core offering combines the main website (www.TheOptionsInsider.com) with the radio network to deliver free options information, education, news, and analysis. The portfolio includes over 15 distinct shows covering options trading, futures, cryptocurrency, market analysis, and special events: The Option Block (flagship weekly show), Options Boot Camp (education), Volatility Views, The Crypto Rundown, The Futures Rundown, Options Playbook Radio, Hot Options Report, Trading Tech Talk, Wide World of Options, Options News Rundown, This Week In Futures Options, European Market Brief, Advisor's Option, Options Insider Special Events, and Options Oddities (members-only). Content is delivered via podcast distribution, live streaming, newsletters, and live events including the Options Industry Conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Options Insider Radio Network: The world's leading podcast network for options traders featuring multiple shows and programs.
• Options Insider Pro

Products and services

• theoptionsinsider.com website Primary website platform serving as a leading online destination for options information, education, news, and analysis; publishes show listings, recent episodes, articles, and a Discussion Center for community engagement.
• Options Insider Radio Network World's leading podcast network for options traders, delivering audio content including multiple themed shows, market analysis, education, and expert commentary distributed via podcast platforms and live streaming.
• The Option Block Flagship weekly options show featuring an all-star panel of options professionals discussing market trends, unusual options activity, earnings analysis, and trading strategies; currently in its 1,400+ episode run.
• Options Boot Camp Educational options show focused on foundational knowledge and trading principles for options users of all experience levels.
• Volatility Views Long-running show dedicated to volatility analysis, trading strategies, and market insights for the options market.
• The Crypto Rundown Show focused on cryptocurrency market analysis, crypto options activity, and blockchain-related financial products.
• The Futures Rundown Weekly deep dive into futures markets covering commodities, precious metals, energy, agricultural products, and crypto futures with market analysis and trading insights.
• Options Playbook Radio Educational show focused on options trading strategies, playbook techniques, and advanced trading approaches.
• Hot Options Report Daily report covering the most active options trades and market movers, featuring mid-day and end-of-day analyses, powered by Trade Alert options activity data.
• Wide World of Options Options Industry Council (OIC)-produced show covering diverse options topics, regulatory updates, and industry trends.
• Trading Tech Talk Show focused on trading technology, platforms, tools, and tech innovations for options traders.
• Options News Rundown Daily news roundup covering the latest options industry headlines, market news, and breaking developments.
• This Week In Futures Options (TWIFO) Weekly show dedicated to futures options markets, covering contract specifications, trading strategies, and market analysis.
• European Market Brief Show covering European options and derivatives markets, regulatory developments, and market trends from across the Atlantic.
• Advisor's Option Show tailored for financial advisors exploring options strategies for client portfolios.
• Options Insider Special Events Coverage of special industry events, conferences, and live programming including the Options Industry Conference.
• Options Oddities (Options Insider Pro members-only) Members-only podcast covering unusual options activity, market oddities, and niche trading opportunities; available to Options Insider Pro premium members.
• Options Insider Newsletter and Email Subscriptions Opt-in email newsletter delivering new episode notifications and options market updates to registered subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• First options podcast created in 2007 - pioneering position in digital media for options
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CME GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCME Group is a major partner mentioned in the context of bringing timely, educational, and entertaining podcasts to investors. Mark Longo has partnered with CME Group among other major exchanges to deliver content.
• Cboe Global MarketscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCboe Global Markets is listed as a key partner in providing educational podcasts. The Options Insider has partnered with Cboe to deliver market analysis and educational content.
• NasdaqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNasdaq is mentioned as a key partner in the Options Insider's network, contributing to the ecosystem of options information and education.
• Options Industry CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Options Industry Council (OIC) is a key partner, with Mark Longo partnering with OIC to bring educational content to investors. The company also covers OIC events including the Options Industry Conference.
• tastytrademajorGTM or Marketing Partnertastytrade is a recurring sponsor and partner, with hosts like Jamal Chandler (Head of Options Strategy at Tastytrade) appearing as guests on The Futures Rundown. Episodes are brought to listeners by tastytrade.
• Security Traders Association of Chicago (STAC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMark Longo has spoken at STAC events and the Option Block has been recorded live from STAC conferences including the 100th Anniversary Conference.
• American Gold ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDana Samuelson, Founder and President of American Gold Exchange, appears as a guest on The Futures Rundown to discuss precious metals markets.
• Winhall Risk AnalyticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrett Friedman, Managing Partner at Winhall Risk Analytics, appears as a guest on The Futures Rundown to discuss silver markets and volatility.
• Gramza Capital ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDan Gramza of Gramza Capital Management appears as a recurring guest on The Futures Rundown to provide futures market analysis.
• DeCarley TradingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarley Garner of DeCarley Trading appears as a guest on The Futures Rundown to discuss futures and commodity trading.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Seeking Alpha: Crowd-sourced investment analysis platform with premium subscriptions covering equities and options. Comparable to The Options Insider on subscription monetization and community-driven content for active investors, though broader in scope.
• Investopedia: Large-scale financial education publisher covering investing, trading, options, and personal finance. Comparable on education-first content for retail traders, but as a much broader incumbent versus The Options Insider's options-only niche authority.
• Benzinga: Financial news and media outlet with options, futures, and crypto desk content. Comparable as a digital financial-media business monetizing via sponsorships and subscriptions, but with broader asset-class coverage rather than options specialization.

Direct peers

• Option Pit: Options education, research, and conference operator (e.g., Option Pit Summit). Highly comparable: shared options niche, event-driven marketing, and The Options Insider's Mark Longo has spoken at Option Pit events.
• Option Alpha: Education and software platform teaching options trading strategies via courses, podcasts, and live events. Comparable to The Options Insider on options-only education focus, community-led GTM, and recurring membership revenue similar to Options Insider Pro.
• Investors Underground: Premium options and day-trading education community with chat rooms, daily watchlists, and educational content. Comparable to The Options Insider in options-only niche, premium subscription model, and educational/research content orientation.
• tastytrade: Options-focused financial media and education network producing daily video content, podcasts, and tools for retail options traders. Directly comparable to The Options Insider on audience (retail/active options traders), content format (audio/video education), and sponsorship overlap—tastytrade is a major recurring sponsor of The Options Insider.

Others

• Cboe Global Markets: Listed options exchange and long-time partner of The Options Insider. Comparable on options market structure and educational content positioning, but operates as an exchange rather than an independent media brand—adjacent ecosystem participant.
• CME Group: Major derivatives exchange and strategic content partner of The Options Insider. Comparable on options/futures ecosystem and educational content output, but is a venue operator rather than an independent media company—an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• Trade Alert: Options data and analytics provider whose unusual-options data feeds The Options Insider's Hot Options Report. Comparable on options data/themes but operates as a data vendor and partner/supplier rather than competing media brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/options
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheOptionsInsider
• Instagraminstagram.com/optionsinsider
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-options-insider

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Options Insider