Amazon’s podcast company Wondery has inked an exclusive distribution and ad-sales deal for the popular podcast, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. The agreement calls for Wondery and Armchair Expert to co-develop and produce two new podcasts for fans, and one livestream per year, and includes a first-look option for any additional new podcasts created by host Dax Shepard.
The podcast will move from Spotify, where it’s been since 2021.
Financial terms weren’t announced but the WSJ said the deal was worth about $80 million.
Launching Sept. 1, the deal includes rights to the Armchair Expert full back catalog of podcast content, distribution rights to RSS feed, launch video episodes for the first time, as well as rights to create translated versions of the podcast for Wondery’s global audience.
New episodes of Armchair Expert will be available one week early and ad-free on Wondery+ exclusively for subscribers prior to going wide.
Wondery will also have exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell all Armchair Expert merchandise.
“I could not be more excited about making Wondery our home,” said Dax Shepard. “Jen Sargent and her team have created a brand that imbues quality, daring and creativity. The Wondery logo actually means something. They are the HBO of the podcast space. We are extremely excited to join forces and bring fresh new content to listeners around the world.”
Now in its seventh year, Armchair Expert features in-depth interviews with celebrities, artists, authors, scientists and global thought leaders. Under the Armchair Umbrella Network Dax Shepard and co-host Monica Padman have three weekly shows, with celebrities on Monday, experts on Thursday, and an interactive call-in show each Friday.
Guests have included former President Barack Obama, Prince Harry, Hillary Clinton, Trevor Noah, Stacey Abrams, Bill Gates, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Jason Bateman, and frequent guest Kristen Bell.
The podcast, which premiered in 2018, has since consistently topped the Apple Comedy Podcast chart and has remained one of the most listened to podcasts overall in the U.S. and around the world.
Armchair Expert and its sister shows are produced by Rob Holysz, Padman and Shepard.
“Armchair Expert consistently delivers relatable, thought-provoking and entertaining social commentary based on shared human experiences and interests from the most recognizable entertainment and cultural figures in the world. This incredible show is a natural fit for the Wondery roster built to entertain, engage and delight podcast fans globally,” said Jen Sargent, CEO of Wondery. “As we embark on a true collaboration with Dax and Monica, we look forward to helping the Armchair Expert brand expand its audience and reach within Amazon’s fandom-flywheel across audio, video, merchandise and beyond.”
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