Kast Media
Kast Media is an independent podcast production company and network founded in 2016 that produces, distributes, and monetizes content on behalf of independent podcast creators through a revenue-share model. In May 2025 it launched PACT, a Trust Account-based transparency framework for advertiser-to-creator fund flows.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Kast Media does
Kast Media is an independent podcast production company and network founded in 2016 and headquartered in Los Angeles. The company produces, distributes, and monetizes podcast content, with a slate of critically acclaimed shows blending cinematic storytelling with podcasting. Its primary customer segment is independent podcast creators, whom Kast supports through production, distribution, and monetization — historically operating on a revenue-share representation model in which Kast and creators share advertising revenue from brands.
The company's core commercial offering is content production and IP development, augmented by the May 2025 launch of PACT (Platform for Advertiser to Creator Transparency). PACT is an operational/accounting framework that introduces Creator Trust Accounts — segregated fund accounts into which advertiser payments are moved within 72 hours, with both Kast and the creator holding visibility, and from which simultaneous disbursements occur after deliverable confirmation. The stack supporting the company is minimal in disclosed terms: a Ghost CMS-hosted website and standard podcast distribution channels; no proprietary technology platform is documented beyond PACT's accounting cashflow structure.
Kast's business model is advertiser-funded via a revenue-share arrangement with represented creators. From 2019 to 2022 the company paid out more than $30M in advertising revenue to its independent creators, implying gross advertiser spend materially above that figure during the peak years. In 2023 a downturn in the podcast advertising market triggered one of the most dramatic business failures in the creator industry, catalyzing the 2025 introduction of PACT as both a defensive rebuild and an industry reform initiative. Current operating scale is unknown; the company has 11-50 employees, no disclosed funding, and no named enterprise customers in the available record.
Kast Media firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kast Media
- Legal name
- Kast Media
- Website
- https://kastmedia.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kast Media is an independent podcast production company and network founded in 2016 that produces, distributes, and monetizes content on behalf of independent podcast creators through a revenue-share model. In May 2025 it launched PACT, a Trust Account-based transparency framework for advertiser-to-creator fund flows.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kast Media industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Production & Network
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Audio Publishing & Private Podcast Platforms (MPAIADAI), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)
Keywords
Where Kast Media is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Kast Media business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Kast Media product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kast Media is an independent podcast producer and network that produces, distributes, and monetizes stories and conversations through a slate of critically acclaimed shows. Its operational structure combines cinematic podcast production with creator representation under the PACT (Platform for Advertiser to Creator Transparency) initiative, which uses Creator Trust Accounts to provide fund protection and remittance visibility for represented creators within 72 hours of advertiser payment.
Product overview
Kast Media is an independent podcast producer and network that produces, distributes, and monetizes stories and conversations. The company operates a slate of critically acclaimed shows, blending cinematic storytelling with podcasting. Their core offering includes podcast production services and intellectual property development. PACT (Platform for Advertiser to Creator Transparency) represents their transparency and accountability initiative for creator economy relationships, featuring a trust-based accounting cashflow structure that protects and provides visibility into fund flow for creators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PACT: Platform for Advertiser to Creator Transparency An accountability and transparency initiative for creator economy relationships that creates a Creator Trust Account structure where advertiser funds are segregated, both Kast and creators have visibility into the account and remittance information, and simultaneous disbursements occur within 72 hours of deliverable confirmation. It is targeted at advertisers and independent podcast creators represented on the Kast platform.
- Independent Podcast Production & Network Distribution End-to-end podcast content production, network distribution, and monetization services for a slate of critically acclaimed shows, targeting independent podcast creators and advertisers seeking immersive, cinematic storytelling.
Quantifiable outcome
- From 2019-2022, paid out independent creators more than $30M in advertising revenue
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kast Media
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kast Media technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kast Media partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kast Media competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Midroll Media: Podcast advertising network and content company, now part of SiriusXM. Comparable as a podcast monetization and network partner serving creators with advertiser relationships.
- iHeartPodcasts: Podcast publishing and monetization arm of iHeartMedia, one of the largest podcast networks globally. Overlaps with Kast's network distribution and advertising monetization model but at vastly greater scale.
Direct peers
- Earwolf: Podcast network specializing in comedy and interview shows; owned by SiriusXM. Directly comparable as a podcast network operator with similar production-and-distribution economics.
- Wondery: Podcast network and production company producing and distributing a slate of narrative and interview shows; acquired by Amazon. Most directly comparable to Kast as a podcast-network operator serving independent creators and advertisers.
- Gimlet Media: Podcast production company and network producing high-quality narrative and interview shows; acquired by Spotify. Closely comparable as a premium podcast producer with a similar slate-and-distribution model.
- Cadence13: Podcast network and content company producing, distributing, and monetizing premium podcasts; now part of Audacy. Comparable to Kast as an independent-style podcast network serving creators with advertiser relationships.
- Pineapple Street Studios: Podcast production studio producing narrative and documentary-style shows; acquired by Audacy. Comparable in producing, distributing, and monetizing story-driven podcast content for major platforms.
- The Ringer: Digital media company producing podcasts and written content; owned by Spotify. Comparable as a podcast-heavy network with multi-show publishing and advertiser monetization.
Emerging players
- Audioboom: Podcast hosting and publishing platform that distributes and monetizes third-party podcast content. Comparable to Kast's network distribution and advertising-revenue-sharing model, though platform-led rather than production-led.
- Rooster Teeth: Creator-driven digital media company producing podcasts, video, and entertainment IP. Compares thematically to Kast's creator-economy model and IP catalog approach, though broader in format.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Kast Media social profiles
Digital presenceKast Media financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kast Media leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Kast Media funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kast Media 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 Kast Media
What does Kast Media do?
Kast Media is an independent podcast producer and network that produces, distributes, and monetizes stories and conversations through a slate of critically acclaimed shows. Its operational structure combines cinematic podcast production with creator representation under the PACT (Platform for Advertiser to Creator Transparency) initiative, which uses Creator Trust Accounts to provide fund protection and remittance visibility for represented creators within 72 hours of advertiser payment.
Is Kast Media a public or private company?
Kast Media is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kast Media founded?
Kast Media was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kast Media based?
Kast Media is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Kast Media's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Midroll Media and iHeartPodcasts. Direct peers are Earwolf, Wondery, Gimlet Media, Cadence13, Pineapple Street Studios and The Ringer. Emerging players are Audioboom and Rooster Teeth.
Does Kast Media have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kast Media.
What industry is Kast Media in?
Kast Media's product category is Podcast Production & Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAB, Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers, with a secondary code of MPAIADAI, Enterprise Audio Publishing & Private Podcast Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5162 and its SIC code is 2741.