Dear Listener,
I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support over the years. As you know, The Paracast debuted on February 28, 2006. Within months, we seemed to catch on, and listeners labeled us “the gold standard of paranormal radio” for offering an honest presentation of the world of the unknown. This came at a time when most shows of this sort just placated their listeners with silly, unproven claims without asking the hard questions.
In 2010, we signed a syndication deal with GCN, a terrestrial radio network with hundreds of outlets. It meant that we had the prestige of being on regular radio in addition to our growing online presence.
It had downsides, though, although our GCN deal for The Paracast was better than other shows on other networks. Many of the smaller operations charge radio show hosts a monthly fee for distribution, but will give back a few minutes of ads to try to earn some money.
Our deal was barter. No money changed hands, and, for each episode, we got nine minutes of those ad breaks for our own use. Still, over 25% of the show consisted of ads, normal for the industry. With GCN, most of the ads embedded into the show belonged to them. Some of the advertisers we’d solicit had already made deals with them, so this reduced our income prospects.
We were able to negotiate a partial solution. In 2014, we convinced the powers-that-be at GCN to allow us to offer an ad-free version of The Paracast for paid subscribers.
Thus came The Paracast+. But just offering an enhanced version of the show with better audio and no ads wasn’t enough. So we created the bonus After The Paracast podcast. Without FCC restrictions, we had a freer choice of the interviews we presented.
As you know, old fashioned radio is suffering. There are fewer stations. Networks are consolidating, and smaller networks are shutting down. The latest is GCN, which closes as of May 5, 2024.
So where does that leave The Paracast?
On a new growth path.
We will still be available on Amazon, Apple, Google, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Spotify and loads of other podcast outlets just as before. We’re also making arrangements for enhanced distribution, so even more listeners will learn how The Paracast stands apart from other paranormal shows.
And, yes, it also means that we expect to be able to share the ad revenue The Paracast generates, making it easier to pay all those bills that are higher and higher due to worldwide inflation.
What’s more, those of you who continue to listen to the free show will get more value. Audio quality will be enhanced. There will be fewer ads, so you won’t have to spend nearly as much time in fast forward mode.
But The Paracast+ remains a great value.
Even with fewer ads, you’ll still be able to download a version of the show with no ads. We’re also enhancing After The Paracast so episodes will be longer, and more special content is being worked on. In other words, subscribing to The Paracast+ is an even greater value.
Indeed, The Paracast, now in its 19th year of weekly broadcasting, is here to say.
In the meantime, here’s how you can help us to live long and prosper:
If you find value in The Paracast and it brings information and enjoyment to your life, please help show your appreciation by making a donation to help cover our costs.
To donate, please click on the link below:
Pay The Paracast Company using PayPal.Me
Of, if you prefer, you may want to consider signing up for The Paracast+. Our streaming service offers a version of The Paracast free of network ads plus a bonus, the exclusive and uncensored and now enhanced After The Paracast podcast.
To sign up, please click or tap our member upgrade link below:
https://www.theparacast.plus
If you have any questions about the future direction of The Paracast, feel free to write.
Thank you.
I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support over the years. As you know, The Paracast debuted on February 28, 2006. Within months, we seemed to catch on, and listeners labeled us “the gold standard of paranormal radio” for offering an honest presentation of the world of the unknown. This came at a time when most shows of this sort just placated their listeners with silly, unproven claims without asking the hard questions.
In 2010, we signed a syndication deal with GCN, a terrestrial radio network with hundreds of outlets. It meant that we had the prestige of being on regular radio in addition to our growing online presence.
It had downsides, though, although our GCN deal for The Paracast was better than other shows on other networks. Many of the smaller operations charge radio show hosts a monthly fee for distribution, but will give back a few minutes of ads to try to earn some money.
Our deal was barter. No money changed hands, and, for each episode, we got nine minutes of those ad breaks for our own use. Still, over 25% of the show consisted of ads, normal for the industry. With GCN, most of the ads embedded into the show belonged to them. Some of the advertisers we’d solicit had already made deals with them, so this reduced our income prospects.
We were able to negotiate a partial solution. In 2014, we convinced the powers-that-be at GCN to allow us to offer an ad-free version of The Paracast for paid subscribers.
Thus came The Paracast+. But just offering an enhanced version of the show with better audio and no ads wasn’t enough. So we created the bonus After The Paracast podcast. Without FCC restrictions, we had a freer choice of the interviews we presented.
As you know, old fashioned radio is suffering. There are fewer stations. Networks are consolidating, and smaller networks are shutting down. The latest is GCN, which closes as of May 5, 2024.
So where does that leave The Paracast?
On a new growth path.
We will still be available on Amazon, Apple, Google, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Spotify and loads of other podcast outlets just as before. We’re also making arrangements for enhanced distribution, so even more listeners will learn how The Paracast stands apart from other paranormal shows.
And, yes, it also means that we expect to be able to share the ad revenue The Paracast generates, making it easier to pay all those bills that are higher and higher due to worldwide inflation.
What’s more, those of you who continue to listen to the free show will get more value. Audio quality will be enhanced. There will be fewer ads, so you won’t have to spend nearly as much time in fast forward mode.
But The Paracast+ remains a great value.
Even with fewer ads, you’ll still be able to download a version of the show with no ads. We’re also enhancing After The Paracast so episodes will be longer, and more special content is being worked on. In other words, subscribing to The Paracast+ is an even greater value.
Indeed, The Paracast, now in its 19th year of weekly broadcasting, is here to say.
In the meantime, here’s how you can help us to live long and prosper:
If you find value in The Paracast and it brings information and enjoyment to your life, please help show your appreciation by making a donation to help cover our costs.
To donate, please click on the link below:
Pay The Paracast Company using PayPal.Me
Of, if you prefer, you may want to consider signing up for The Paracast+. Our streaming service offers a version of The Paracast free of network ads plus a bonus, the exclusive and uncensored and now enhanced After The Paracast podcast.
To sign up, please click or tap our member upgrade link below:
https://www.theparacast.plus
If you have any questions about the future direction of The Paracast, feel free to write.
Thank you.
