Latest news with #IanSchwartzman
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Budden Reveals He Makes $1 Million Per Month Through Podcasting
Joe Budden is making bank, at least according to what he told The New York Times. In a profile published Tuesday (July 22), the rapper-turned-podcaster revealed that his media company — the Joe Budden Network — is averaging $1.04 million per month so far in 2025 on membership platform Patreon, boasts 70,000 paid subscribers and is on pace to clock around $20 million in overall revenue by the end of the year, with that last number provided by chief executive Ian Schwartzman. More from Billboard Black Sabbath Members Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: 'Goodbye Dear Friend' Talks Reportedly 'Failed' in Efforts to Bring ABBA Voyage to Australia The Damned Cancel North American Concert Dates Following 'Catastrophic Event' The subscription money alone is more than likely going to exceed $12 million, which will make Budden Patreon's top earner, a Patreon spokesperson told NYT. Budden's manager and business partner Schwartzman also told the publication that they sell their own ads instead of linking up with networks such as Wondery, iHeart and SiriusXM, where content creators have to share the revenue. This helps the Joe Budden Network to work with a maximum of three sponsors at a give time in an effort to not bombard the audience with ads. The money the network brings in allows the company to set aside $1.5 million for the podcast's cohosts Lamar 'Ice' Burney, Trevor 'Queenzflip' Robinson, Melyssa Ford, Antwan 'Ish' Marby, Parks Vallely and Marc Lamont Hill, according to the NYT. Schwartzman tells Billboard that he and Budden felt the need to share their revenue in a way to motivate fellow content creators. 'Yes, the numbers are real,' he says of the NYT reporting. 'In fact, we didn't want to share our income. The only reason we did was to show creators — signed or independent — that there is an alternative path. One that doesn't require you giving up control and ownership. A path that produces fruits just as great as any traditional method and in some cases even better.' Patreon also confirmed to Billboard that Budden is indeed their top earner, and CEO Jack Conte gave a statement applauding The Joe Budden Network for inspiring creators. 'Joe and his team are very much on the same mission Patreon is on: inspiring other creators to do what they do best, follow their passion, build a deep community, all while maintaining creative independence,' Conte says. 'By Joe providing this level of access highlighting the success of his business over the last few years, he's showing creators that it's possible to maintain ownership and cultivate sustainable businesses while staying true to his soul. Joe has continued to bet on himself and invest in his business and community on Patreon and is seeing the pay-off.' In June, Budden seemingly revealed on his Instagram how much the pod was making through Patreon subscriptions when he was trying to highlight how many visits the Patreon gets. He blacked out the breakdown of the money he brings in on his creator account. However, someone was able to doctor his screenshot where it showed that the podcast appeared to bring in around $900,000 that month. Last year, rapper Doe Boy asked Budden on the podcast how much he's made since he started podcasting, with the Jersey City rapper claiming that he's made 'about $4 million' in 10 years. 'I think about 4 mill. Early on, we was doing it for free,' he said. 'Then, we hit a little lick, Spotify. Then, n—as left, the building crumbled a little bit. My friends came, saved the day. Probably about three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half million.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Entrepreneur
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Entrepreneur
Inside Joe Budden's $20 Million Podcast Network
A New York Times profile of former rap star Joe Budden breaks down the eye-popping figures he's pulling in by connecting with his vast audience's ears. Budden gained acclaim with his 2003 hit "Pump It Up," and went on to become a TV and media personality. Now dubbed "Howard Stern of hip-hop," Budden has amassed millions of listeners to his Joe Budden Network and self-titled show. The show mostly involves Budden and his friends opining on the latest pop culture news. Related: Guy Fieri Teaches His Team This Customer Service Secret — And It Can Unlock Unexpected Success For Your Business Too Budden and his network's Chief Executive, Ian Schwartzman, shared some of the incredible numbers behind their endeavor with The Times, stating that they "want to make a broader argument for maintaining independence as creators." They spent two years being available exclusively on Spotify, but otherwise are unattached to any media companies. Here's a look at the numbers: The Joe Budden Network averages $1.04 million per month on Patreon thanks to its 70,000 paid subscribers. Subscribers can choose tiers that range from $5 to $50 per month. The more expensive tiers come with extras like bonus episodes. Two free episodes are available each week to unpaid listeners. 2025 subscription revenue is expected to be more than $12 million. Advertising (all conducted through their own in-house department) makes up a significant part of the company's revenue. The Joe Budden Network employs more than 30 independent contractors. While Budden and Schwartzman say it might seem like a "flex" to be so open about their finances, they are trying to inform up-and-comers who might have their eyes set on a big network deal like Joe Rogan has. "[It's] uncomfortable to put any money situation out there for the public and competitors to see," Schwartzman told the Times, but added, "How else will they know they can do it this way?" Related: 'I Lost My Mind': Erin Andrews Explains What It's Like to Be in the Middle of the Taylor Swift Effect
New York Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
How Does This Podcast Star Make $20 Million a Year?
The podcaster Joe Budden, an ex-rapper who has been called the 'Howard Stern of hip-hop,' wanted to flex a little. He accidentally over-flexed. Last month, he posted a screenshot of his traffic from Patreon, a subscription service that allows fans to pay creators directly through monthly contributions. It showed more than 30 million visits in 30 days. Revenue figures on the Patreon data had been scribbled over. But sleuths manipulated the image, and to them, it appeared that he had earned more than $900,000 — a number that made headlines. Yet that was just his earnings from the month of June. Overall, the Joe Budden Network is on a pace to generate more than $20 million this year, according to its chief executive, Ian Schwartzman. Mr. Budden agreed to share those and other details about his podcast business with The New York Times, offering a rare window into the economics of podcasting. Publishers of shows rarely share details of their revenue, or even their download or streaming figures. They want to maintain a competitive edge in the advertising marketplace and, like many private businesses, simply aren't keen to open their books. Mr. Budden's reason for releasing figures now, he said in an interview, goes beyond flexing; he and Mr. Schwartzman want to make a broader argument for maintaining independence as creators. They have been podcasting for a decade; although they spent two years working exclusively with Spotify, they are not affiliated with any outside podcast network or media company today. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
