True Crime Obsessed

What True Crime Obsessed does

True Crime Obsessed is a privately held podcast media company founded in 2017 by co-hosts Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle. The company produces and distributes a true crime comedy podcast that recaps and reviews true crime documentaries, combining humor and advocacy for victims with critical commentary on perpetrators, law enforcement, and legal actors. The flagship show has accumulated over 200 million lifetime downloads and in April 2022 became the first podcast to perform live on Broadway. Distribution is global and free across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The product portfolio extends beyond the main feed through a Patreon subscription tier providing access to 400+ ad-free bonus episodes, a monthly virtual book club, the limited interview series 'Let The Women Do The Work,' live show performances, and the related sub-brand 'The Golden Girls Deep Dive' co-hosted by Patrick Hinds. Community engagement is cultivated across Discord, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and an email newsletter. The company operates with a small team of 1-10 employees and is based in New York City.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurring Patreon subscriptions, host-read sponsorships from a rotating roster of consumer brands (The Absorption Company, Zenni, Wayfair, Fabletics, Kettle and Fire, Gusto, and others), and live event ticket sales. The go-to-market is community-led, with social media and live experiences driving both audience acquisition and sponsor attractiveness. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiary structure beyond the 'Obsessed Network' umbrella referenced in site footer copy.

Name

True Crime Obsessed

Legal name

True Crime Obsessed

Website

https://truecrimeobsessed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

True Crime Obsessed is a privately held podcast media company founded in 2017 by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle, producing a true crime documentary-recap podcast with over 200 million downloads, monetized through Patreon subscriptions, brand sponsorships, and live events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Podcast Media & Entertainment

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

True Crime Documentaries (MPADADAN), Investigative & Journalism Documentaries (MPADADAD), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

Keywords

• True crime podcast
• Comedy podcast network
• Patreon bonus content
• Podcast live shows
• Victim advocacy media

Headquarters

HQ city

New York City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Patreon Subscription: Patreon membership offering bonus episodes, ad-free listening, access to over 400 bonus episodes, and exclusive content including episode-by-episode coverage of documentary series
2. Sponsorships: Sponsorships from companies including The Absorption Company, Zenni, Wildgrain, Batch, Gusto, Wayfair, Fabletics, Kettle and Fire, Miracle Melts, and Dose

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

True Crime Obsessed produces and distributes a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle that recaps true crime documentaries with humor, heart, and victim advocacy. The company monetizes through Patreon subscription bonus content (400+ ad-free episodes), podcast sponsorships, live show ticket sales, merchandise, and a monthly virtual book club. Total downloads exceed 200 million since the 2017 launch.

Product overview

True Crime Obsessed operates as a multi-platform podcast network centered around its flagship product, the True Crime Obsessed Podcast. The core offering is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle that has grown to over 200 million downloads since its 2017 launch. The product portfolio extends through Patreon-exclusive Bonus Episodes offering ad-free content and extended coverage, the TCO Virtual Book Club for monthly community discussions, the limited interview series 'Let The Women Do The Work,' and live show performances. Patrick Hinds also co-hosts The Golden Girls Deep Dive Podcast as a related commentary product. The company engages audiences through YouTube video content, email newsletters, and Discord community channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TCO (True Crime Obsessed): The primary brand abbreviation used for the podcast and its associated community.

Products and services

• True Crime Obsessed Podcast A true crime comedy podcast hosted by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle that reviews true crime documentaries with humor, heart, and sass while advocating for victims and justice. With over 200 million downloads, it is one of the most popular podcasts in the world.
• Patreon Bonus Episodes Exclusive ad-free bonus episodes available to Patreon supporters, including over 400 full episodes and episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won, The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase.
• TCO Virtual Book Club A monthly virtual book club meeting held on the last Sunday of each month, featuring discussions of true crime and related books with author interviews and community engagement.
• The Golden Girls Deep Dive Podcast A commentary podcast co-hosted by Patrick Hinds and Jennifer Simard where they re-watch every episode of The Golden Girls, unpacking each episode with wit and behind-the-scenes trivia.
• Let The Women Do The Work A limited interview series hosted by Gillian Pensavalle focusing on the often-overlooked women in true crime and their stories, part of a ten-part series.
• TCO Live Shows Live podcast performances, including the historic first podcast to play live on Broadway in April 2022, and ongoing live events for fans.
• The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast A Hamilton-focused podcast created, hosted, edited, and executive produced by Gillian Pensavalle, approaching 500 episodes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 million downloads

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• The Absorption CompanyminorOthersSupplement company offering up to 35% off first order with code TCO for podcast listeners
• ZenniminorOthersPrescription glasses company offering 15% off first order with code PODCAST15
• WildgrainminorOthersBake-from-frozen subscription box offering $30 off first box plus free croissants for life with code TCO
• BatchminorOthersHemp blends company offering 30% off sitewide with code OBSESSED
• GustominorOthersOnline payroll software offering three months free when signing up through gusto.com/TCO
• WayfairminorOthersFurniture and home decor retailer featured as podcast sponsor
• FableticsminorOthersActivewear brand offering $29 denim when signing up as VIP through Fabletics.com/tco
• Kettle and FireminorOthersBone broth company offering free carton for podcast listeners at KettleAndFire.com/TCO
• Miracle Melts by PlaygroundminorOthersIntimate care products company offering 15% off with code TCO
• DoseminorOthersWellness shots company offering 30% off first month subscription with code TCO
• LGBT Center of New YorkminorOthersOrganization supported by True Crime Obsessed as part of their giving back initiative
• End the BacklogminorOthersOrganization supported by True Crime Obsessed addressing untested sexual assault evidence kits
• Color of ChangeminorOthersRacial justice organization supported by True Crime Obsessed
• Planned ParenthoodminorOthersReproductive health organization supported by True Crime Obsessed
• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AidsminorOthersBroadway-focused nonprofit supported by True Crime Obsessed; TCO has sponsored Broadway Backwards event since 2022
• A Is ForminorOthersOrganization dedicated to destigmatizing abortion through art; Patrick Hinds joined board in 2022

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• My Favorite Murder: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark's flagship true crime comedy podcast. Direct competitor in the true-crime-comedy crossover genre and in live-tour monetization.
• Casefile True Crime: Anonymous-hosted true crime podcast with one of the largest global true crime audiences. Competes for download share and ad inventory against TCO.
• Generation Why: Long-running true crime podcast covering cases and theories. Competes in the same true crime documentary and case-discussion category as TCO.
• Crime Junkie: One of the most-listened-to true crime podcasts in the U.S., hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. Directly competes for true crime podcast listenership, Patreon/sponsorship revenue, and live-event audiences.
• The Hamilcast: Co-host Gillian Pensavalle's other podcast, approaching 500 episodes. Sister show within the Obsessed Network with shared production, audience, and Patreon monetization.
• Sword and Scale: Long-running true crime podcast covering cases in narrative style. Competes for true crime podcast listenership and sponsorship attention.
• The Golden Girls Deep Dive: Co-host Patrick Hinds' other commentary podcast. Sister show within the Obsessed Network sharing distribution and audience infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Serial: Pioneering investigative true crime podcast from Serial Productions / The New York Times. A category-defining incumbent with broader institutional backing and stronger documentary-style production values than TCO.
• Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: True crime commentary podcast hosted by Nancy Grace with significant TV and media brand extension. Competes in the same victim-advocacy positioning that TCO leans into.
• Audioboom (Crime Junkie publisher): Podcast hosting and monetization platform that powers several top true crime shows including Crime Junkie. Relevant as a distribution and ad-tech counterparty comparable to TCO's hosting arrangements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TrueCrimeObsess
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TrueCrimeObsessedPodcast
• Facebookfacebook.com/TrueCrimeObsessed
• Instagraminstagram.com/truecrimeobsessedpodcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/true-crime-obsessed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 True Crime Obsessed