MANIFEST MEDIA

What MANIFEST MEDIA does

Manifest Media (Stiftelsen Manifest Media) is an independent, non-profit media foundation headquartered in Oslo, Norway, operating as a left-of-center editorial platform. Founded in 2023, the organization produces a portfolio of podcast and video programs covering Norwegian and international politics, economics, cultural commentary, housing policy, and environmental issues. Its content slate includes Mímir & Marsdal (political commentary), MAGAwatch (US politics video), Kaski & Kalle and Økotrim (economics), Bokklubben Bastard (literature), Skjebnetid (politics with Audun Lysbakken), Boligkampen (housing crisis), and Gina Bygger Landet (green transition), with Manifest Radio serving as a content aggregator.

The platform is built on standard podcast distribution infrastructure, distributing content via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, with a Sanity-based CMS powering the website. The company employs 5 people, led by Editor-in-Chief Magnus Marsdal, and is governed by a board chaired by former SV leader Audun Lysbakken.

The business model is reader-supported subscription with four monthly tiers: Støttespiller (kr 39), Abonnent (kr 99), Supporter (kr 199), and Kamerat (kr 279), offering ad-free listening, early access to bonus episodes, event discounts, merchandise, and family sharing. Recurring billing is processed through Vipps, with no formal lock-in contract. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the organization also receives project-specific cultural grants (e.g., Kulturrådet funding for Bokklubben Bastard Season 2).

Name

MANIFEST MEDIA

Legal name

Stiftelsen Manifest Media

Website

https://manifestmedia.no

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Manifest Media is a Norwegian non-profit foundation operating a left-of-center podcast and video platform covering politics, economics, and culture, funded through reader-supported monthly subscriptions and distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Media and Podcast Content

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Podcast Hosting, Distribution & Listening Platforms (BPAMAJAD), Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts) (MPACADAF), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Political podcasts
• Digital media platform
• Subscription journalism
• Norwegian commentary
• Independent media foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: Monthly subscription fees from multiple tiers (Abonnent, Supporter, Kamerat, Støttespiller) providing ad-free content, early access, and exclusive perks. Recurring monthly billing with annual option implied.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Manifest Media produces and distributes a portfolio of original left-leaning political, economic, environmental, and cultural podcast series targeted at Norwegian audiences. Its offering includes editorial podcasts such as Mímir & Marsdal, Kaski & Kalle, Økotrim, Bokklubben Bastard, Boligkampen, Gina Bygger Landet, and Skjebnetid, plus the video series MAGAwatch. Revenue is generated primarily through monthly reader subscriptions (Støttespiller, Abonnent, Supporter, Kamerat tiers) that unlock ad-free listening, early access, supporter merchandise, and discounts on live events and books.

Product overview

Manifest Media is a podcast and video content platform offering multiple distinct editorial podcast series and one video series. The core content portfolio includes: Mímir & Marsdal (political commentary), MAGAwatch (US politics video series), Kaski & Kalle (economics), Gina Bygger Landet (green transition), Boligkampen (housing crisis), Økotrim (economics literacy), Bokklubben Bastard (literature), Skjebnetid (politics with Audun Lysbakken), plus archived aggregator Manifest Radio and two discontinued series (Redaksjonen and 5080 Nyhetskontrollen). The platform operates on a reader-supported subscription model with four paid tiers: Abonnent (99 kr/month), Supporter (199 kr/month), Kamerat (279 kr/month), and Støttespiller (39 kr/month). Content is distributed through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mímir & Marsdal A twice-weekly political podcast hosted by journalist Mímir Kristjánsson and editor Magnus Marsdal, featuring commentary on Norwegian and international politics from a left-leaning perspective. Targeted at Norwegian listeners interested in independent political analysis. Genre: political commentary podcast.
• MAGAwatch A video series tracking events within the MAGA movement in the United States, hosted by Eivind Trædal and USA correspondent Vegard Tenold. Distributed as a video podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Targeted at Norwegian audiences interested in US politics.
• Kaski & Kalle An economics podcast for general audiences, co-hosted by journalist Kristine Sørheim, politician Kari Elisabeth Kaski (SV), and economics professor Kalle Moene. Covers accessible economic topics for non-specialists.
• Gina Bygger Landet A podcast series hosted by environmental activist Gina Gylver exploring Norway's green transition away from oil dependency, covering topics such as offshore wind, batteries, hydrogen, and CCS.
• Boligkampen A mini-series podcast on the Norwegian housing crisis, co-hosted by Arbeiderpartiet politician Agnes Nærland Viljugrein and journalist Kristine Sørheim.
• Økotrim An economics podcast hosted by journalist Linn Stalsberg and economics professor Kalle Moene, covering tax, inflation, inequality, growth, and sustainability in an accessible format for general audiences.
• Bokklubben Bastard A book club podcast hosted by authors Zeshan Shakar, Yohan Shanmugaratnam, and Maria Navarro Skaranger, discussing contemporary literature in podcast format with new episodes every other Wednesday.
• Skjebnetid A political podcast hosted by former SV leader Audun Lysbakken covering the rise of the right in the United States, threats from Russia and the far right in Europe, and modern antifascism.
• Manifest Radio An aggregator page consolidating all audio content from Manifest Media into a single location for easy access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple programs with extensive episode catalogs demonstrating sustained audience engagement
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SpotifycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary distribution partner for Manifest Media podcasts. All programs are distributed through Spotify's podcast platform for reach to Spotify's user base.
• Apple PodcastscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPodcast distribution partner for Manifest Media content on Apple devices and Apple Podcasts platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• The Intercept: Independent left-leaning investigative outlet with a major podcast lineup (Intercepted, etc.) funded largely by reader donations. Comparable as a non-commercial left independent media brand that has built a host-driven podcast franchise.
• Novara Media: UK-based independent left-leaning media company operating podcasts, video, and written content on a reader-supported model. Comparable as a left-aligned, audience-funded digital media outlet in a smaller European market with a similar editorial positioning.
• Jacobin: International left-wing magazine with a substantial podcast network (The Dig, etc.) funded by readers and subscriptions. Comparable as a partisan left magazine that has built a multi-show podcast offering on a reader-supported model.

Broad incumbents

• Dagbladet: Major Norwegian tabloid with a significant podcast portfolio and digital subscription business. Comparable as a Norwegian mass-market media company investing in podcast content and competing for the same advertising and subscription wallet.
• Amedia: Largest local news publisher in Norway, increasingly expanding into podcast and digital subscription. Comparable as a major Norwegian subscription media operator, though far larger and editorially centrist/conservative rather than left-aligned.
• NRK (Norsk rikskringkasting): Norwegian public service broadcaster operating major podcast and on-demand audio offerings. Comparable as a large incumbent in Norwegian podcast distribution that competes for the same listeners, but with a much broader editorial mandate and license-fee funding.

Regional players

• Podimo: Nordic podcast subscription platform offering premium podcasts from independent creators. Comparable as a regional podcast platform that could either be a distribution partner or a competitor for the Norwegian podcast subscription wallet.

Direct peers

• Steigan.no: Long-running Norwegian independent left-wing online publication funded by readers. Comparable as a non-commercial, partisan Norwegian digital media outlet targeting a similar politically engaged niche.
• Filter Nyheter: Norwegian independent digital media outlet with an explicitly left-leaning editorial line, funded largely by reader subscriptions. Most direct comparable in terms of audience, ideology, and reader-supported business model in the Norwegian market.
• Subjekt: Norwegian independent digital magazine with a critical/progressive editorial stance, operating on a reader-supported model. Comparable as a small, ideologically positioned Norwegian online media outlet competing for the same politically engaged audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/manifestmedia.no
• Instagraminstagram.com/manifestmedia_no
• TikToktiktok.com/@manifestmedia_no
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manifest%C2%A0media

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 MANIFEST MEDIA