So I’ve run my own show for just about ten years now. We’ve never had ads or sponsorships of any kind other than a Patreon plug at the very end.
When I go out into the world and listen to other podcasts I’m perpetually annoyed at the lengthy, frequent ad-breaks. I don’t mind being reminded to engage or click on their link or go to a show’s Ko-Fi page, but a two minute dollar shave club or AG1 ad is just too much. And, honestly, the amount of advertising dollars some shows take makes me question their integrity just a bit. I know it might be a bit old-fashioned to think that, but I can’t help it.
What are you favorite sponsorship-free, ad-free podcasts?
Blowback is incredible, and has ads only at the beginning and end, so very skippable. I can’t recommend Blowback enough. Each season covers the “behind the scenes” of different US atrocities, from the Iraq War, to Cuba, to Korea, to the Afghan War, to Cambodia. Any USian needs to listen to it especially to truly understand how and why US foreign policy acts in the manner it does.
Oh yeah I listened to a bunch of them, it was definitely very good. Pre and post ads are probably the most bearable sort, but I’m trying to avoid them altogether if possible. But for anyone with more tolerance than me: absolutely also recommend this one.
Good Morning Johto is a fun Pokémon news podcast. They sort of do ads, but it’s made up shit. It’s funny.
A history of rock music in 500 songs is very good
Thanks for asking something I’d thought of asking but never gotten around to. Also, what’s your podcast OP?
Haha, glad to be of service! I’ve already gotten several good recommendations that are syncing to my MP3 player as we speak.
I run a retro gaming podcast, you can find us here: https://retrowarriors.net/
Or just directly subscribe via RSS here: http://retrowarriors.libsyn.com/rss
A retro gaming podcast is actually probably more my style than the other two podcasts listed. So, have another subscriber…
Thanks!
Breaking Points
Went to listen to a bit of this one and was instantly hit with ads for the NFL and other stuff. Maybe you’re on their Patreon feed or something?
I mostly listen to them on Youtube.
Do you mean normal ads from the platform, or ads which are presented by the show host? (Think LTT style)
Any corporate sponsored advertising. Platform, sponsorship, whatever.
The ads on their RSS feed seem to be auto generated and inserted. Lots of shows use that kind of service.
I use adblock so I do not notice the platorm ads, only the in-video ads.
Unfortunately not a thing on RSS, and I try to spend little time on YouTube. Thanks though!
If you’re into game dev or retro games in general, Dev Game Club is a small podcast where the hosts play old games and discuss their design + influence on games that would come later. I don’t think they even have a patreon lol
I am indeed! My show is a retro gaming show. Def adding this one, thanks!
Can you give a general idea of what sort of subject matter you’re interested in?
Give “the fall off civilisations” a go
I used to like kexp song of the day but they changed the format.
Now I like https://kutkutx.studio/category/song-of-the-day/feed
Also many good shows on WFMU, some music, some talk. https://wfmu.org/podcast
My favorites are:
- Downtown Soulville with Mr. Fine Wine
- Honky Tonk Radio Girl with Becky
- Techtonic with Mark Hurst
- Bucci (warning this one is weird but in a good way
Other good ad free ones:
- Birdnote. https://feeds.simplecast.com/OB7SrYSf
- Derrière le son (French language) https://feeds.podcastics.com/podcastics/podcasts/rss/5423_17676b1841af819ae181d6abb1a2e320.rss
- Molly White’s Citation Needed (interesting but lower production value) https://www.spreaker.com/show/6019906/episodes/feed
Let me know if any of these have ads I’m pretty sure they all don’t.
I’ll have to sit down tomorrow to go through these ones, but thanks for listing them all out in such a nice format!
Note: I don’t actually listen to podcasts myself (I struggle to process voices when doing other tasks, or for long periods of time) but my spouse enjoys it.
I’ve listened to this one before! Pretty interesting show, but unfortunately opens with several minutes of ads. Latest episode is about two and a half minutes of ads right off the bad, although one is their Patreon.
I haven’t overheard them in awhile, didn’t realise they open with ads now. Sorry for the suggestion that doesn’t fit your criteria!
No apology necessary! Many of these are still ending up on lists that may or may not get listened to one day :)
The Dogg Zzone and Bigfeets.
Both absurd comedy by Cracked alum Robert Brockway, Seanbaby and Jason Pargin (the latter only for Bigfeets). Just a Patreon plug and nothing more.
I remember liking to “David Tennant does a podcast with”. I don’t remember any ads. Unfortunately it’s over now
I just skip ahead
I’m looking to avoid doing that and avoid ad-driven shows in general, hence the original question. I have a few that I tolerate it on, but largely looking to avoid it where possible.
I mean, it’s either paid or ads right.
Are you willing to pay for podcasts?
It’s not though! I’ve done 500 episodes of my own podcast and we never charged for a single episode or ran a single ad. Not one single time. We have a Patreon, and it’s optional.
And yes, I’m willing to pay for podcasts if I think they’re worth paying for. I’ve donated to shows I enjoy and paid for others before. I see no issue with people getting paid for their work.
Knowledge fight is my go to
I’ll check it out!
Final v3 is funny cartoon man Noodle and his game-dev friend Sam talking about the creative industry. Mostly about why you shouldn’t work in the creative industry.
Well There’s Your Problem is two communists an anarchist exploring awful ways architecture and infrastructure can turn people into a homogeneous paste. Notably this one has slides to accompany the audio.
Kill James Bond is a review podcast for slagging off spy movies and related films.
