DNR Studios

What DNR Studios does

DNR Studios, operating as DNR Events, LLC, is a privately held, New York-based hybrid live radio and online streaming network that hosts approximately 12 podcasts and radio shows, anchored by the flagship "Derek and Romaine" program. The platform combines live broadcasts (accessible via a web Live Player) with on-demand streaming through a proprietary DNRcast mobile application for iPhone and Android, and supports private podcast RSS URLs that subscribers can add to third-party podcast apps. Production infrastructure includes CleanFeed for cloud-based remote guest recording, a NewTek Tricaster TC1 video production system with multi-channel live streaming to Facebook Live, Twitch, and YouTube Live, and a Telos Hx2 Dual Hybrid Phone system for live call-ins. The network is co-founded by Derek (Derek Hartley) and Romaine Patterson, both formerly of SiriusXM Radio where they hosted for 12 years, and is operationally led by Studio Manager Katie Castellano.

The company monetizes through multiple streams: subscription tiers (DNR Standard for web streaming, DNR Plus for full DNRcast App and podcast URL access, both monthly with a free trial under discount code "2026"); professional podcast production services for external clients at $125/hour with no hourly minimum; merchandise sales through DNR Shop (including a fan-submitted cookbook); DNR Travel packages for LGBTQ+ cruises and Walt Disney World trips; and live event ticketing at pride festivals and travel shows. The audience base centers on LGBTQ+ podcast and radio listeners and the broader LGBTQ+ community, with a secondary B2B customer segment of independent podcast creators seeking production support. Marketing relies on the website, the DNRcast app, organic social media, podcast content itself, and event appearances at pride festivals and travel shows.

DNR Studios also runs a Digital Media Internship Program (Season of Giving), launched in 2016 with founding support from the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation and in partnership with the LGBT Center, Ali Forney Center, CUNY/CCNY (via Girls Who Code), Avenues for Justice, SAE Institute, and the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. The paid internship targets homeless/at-risk LGBTQ+ youth and college students, training them in editing, soundboard operation, call screening, social media, and live show production. Over the program's history, the company has raised more than $250,000 for charities addressing sexual and gender equality, HIV/AIDS, and homeless/at-risk youth. In spring 2023, the company closed its NYC studio at 260 W. 36th St. and consolidated operations into home studios in upstate NY and NJ, reducing fixed costs while maintaining the show portfolio.

Name

DNR Studios

Legal name

DNR Events, LLC

Website

https://dnrstudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DNR Studios is a privately held, New York-based hybrid live radio and podcast network of approximately 12 shows, anchored by the Derek and Romaine program and distributed via a proprietary DNRcast mobile app and web Live Player, serving LGBTQ+ listeners and podcast creators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Podcast and Radio Network

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Sound Recording Studios (51224)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Podcast Hosting & Distribution Platforms (MPAIADAB), Podcast Live & Interactive Podcast Platforms (Live Shows, Call-ins) (MPACADAJ), Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Podcast network
• Live radio shows
• Audio production services
• Podcast streaming platform
• LGBTQ talk media

Headquarters

HQ city

New York, New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription (DNR Plus): Premium subscription model offering full access to all shows including DNRcast App, live streaming, and private podcast URLs. Standard subscription provides streaming access to Live Player.
2. Audio/Podcast Production Services: Full-service podcast production including pre-production consulting, recording, editing, voiceovers, mixing, mastering, and audiograms for social media. Rates start at $125/hr with no hourly minimum. Volume discounts available.
3. Merchandise Sales: DNR Shop selling merchandise including cookbooks, DNRLand shirts, and Disney adventure merchandise.
4. Travel Services (DNR Travel): Organized travel experiences including cruises and Walt Disney World trips with group meetups, hosted hotel rates, and exclusive events.
5. Event Tickets: Revenue from live events including Anne Steele performances, MisMatch Game shows, and pride festival appearances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DNR Studios operates a hybrid live radio and online streaming network of nearly 12 podcasts and radio shows, anchored by the flagship Derek and Romaine program and distributed through the proprietary DNRcast mobile app, a web Live Player, and private podcast RSS URLs. The company also sells podcast production services to external clients at $125/hour, offers organized LGBTQ+ travel experiences, and retails branded merchandise such as the DNR Fan Favorite Cookbook.

Product overview

DNR Studios operates a multi-show podcast and live radio network built around its core hybrid platform. The flagship Derek and Romaine show anchors nearly 12 additional podcasts and radio programs. The primary digital products are the DNR Studios platform itself, the proprietary DNRcast App for iPhone and Android, and the Live Player for web-based streaming. The company also offers professional podcast production services for external clients, sells a consumer cookbook (DNR Fan Favorite Cookbook), and runs a Digital Media Internship Program (Season of Giving) for LGBTQ youth as a social impact initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DNRcast App: Mobile application for streaming all DNR Studios shows on iPhone and Android
• DNR Plus
• DNR Travel
• DNR Cook

Products and services

• DNR Studios Streaming Platform (DNRcast App + Live Player) A hybrid podcast and live radio streaming network offering nearly 12 shows and podcasts (including flagship Derek and Romaine) accessible via the proprietary DNRcast App for iPhone and Android and a web-based Live Player, with private podcast RSS URLs for third-party podcast apps.
• Podcast Production Services Full-service audio and podcast production for external clients, including pre-production consulting, branded intro/outro recording, voiceovers, music beds, individual track recording, complete audio engineering, editing, mixing, audiograms, equipment recommendations, and live event podcast production; rates start at $125/hour with no hourly minimum and volume discounts available.
• DNR Travel Experiences Organized LGBTQ+ travel experiences including cruises and Walt Disney World trips with group meetups, hosted hotel rates, and exclusive events; example listing: Drury Hotel at Walt Disney World at $249/night for event dates.
• DNR Fan Favorite Cookbook (Vol. 1) Physical cookbook featuring fan-submitted and show-discussed recipes reflecting the tastes of the DNR community, sold via the DNR Shop storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $250,000 raised for various charities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LGBT CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Season of Giving campaign and internship program collaboration. Hosted initial Season of Giving fundraiser in Fall 2016.
• Ali Forney CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through LEAP Program providing internship opportunities for homeless/at-risk LGBTQ youth. Internship program includes Basic and Advanced phases of 120 hours each over 6-7 weeks.
• City College of New York (CCNY/CUNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through CUNY's Spring Forward and Career Launch programs providing tech interns. Connected through Girls Who Code. Many interns have gone on to careers at major tech companies.
• Girls Who CodeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough their program, DNR Studios became aware of CUNY's Spring Forward internship program which led to the tech intern partnership.
• Avenues for JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides internship program opportunities for youth in the justice system, complementing the other internship branches.
• Conservatory of Recording Arts & SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAudio engineering school whose students participate as production interns at DNR Studios.
• SAE Institute (NYC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecording engineering school in NYC whose students have participated as production interns. DNR Studios helped provide hands-on audio production experience when many studios closed during the pandemic.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• iHeartPodcasts: iHeartMedia's podcast division, distributing hundreds of shows including talk-radio personalities. Comparable as a broad incumbent in talk-radio podcasting with overlap on the audience and tech stack.
• SiriusXM: Satellite/internet radio broadcaster and major podcast platform owner; former employer of DNR's founders. Broad incumbent with overlapping talk-radio and podcast subscription business.
• Westwood One: Large radio syndication and network operator (Cumulus Media affiliate), distributing talk, news, and entertainment programming. Comparable as a multi-show radio network/syndicator adjacent to DNR's radio roots.
• SoundCloud: Audio streaming platform hosting creators and podcasts with subscription tier. Broad incumbent that overlaps with DNR's audio streaming and creator-side distribution model.

Direct peers

• Crooked Media: Independent podcast network with multiple shows (Pod Save America, etc.) and a strong subscription/community model. Closely comparable to DNR's multi-host network with subscription app and live events.
• Stitcher: Podcast network and listening app that aggregated multiple shows and creators, now owned by SiriusXM. Highly comparable to DNR as a multi-show podcast network with app-based distribution and subscription tiers.
• Maximum Fun: Member-supported podcast network with multiple shows, member tiers, and live events. Highly comparable business model to DNR's subscription + community + events mix.
• Earwolf: Independent podcast network known for comedy and talk shows, now under SiriusXM. Comparable to DNR's curated network of personality-driven talk shows bundled under a single platform.
• Audioboom: Podcast hosting and monetization platform serving independent producers and networks. Comparable as a podcast hosting/distribution platform that supports multi-show networks with subscription features.
• Podcast One: Ad-supported podcast network hosting dozens of shows across categories, with a subscription/membership offering. Direct competitor model to DNR's multi-show network and subscription app.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DNRStudios
• Facebookfacebook.com/dnrstudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dnr-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 DNR Studios