Parcast


Parcast is a digital media firm and podcast network, which specializes in producing scripted podcasts and audio dramas. It was founded in 2016 by podcaster Max Cutler and his father Ron Cutler in Los Angeles California.
In 2019, it was acquired by Sweden-based media firm and streaming service provider Spotify. Spotify confessed to have spent over $56 million to acquire Parcast, however the total compensation has been reported well above that at over $100 million, making Parcast one of the largest podcasting platform mergers in US history and largest single acquisition of Spotify's $400 million acquisition programme.

History

Cutler, a 27-year old graduate of the University of Arizona, launched Parcast in 2016. He was inspired by the hit podcast Serial, itself a spinoff of This American Life. He believed that his network could produce podcasts of comparable quality while saving money on the production of individual episodes.
Parcast's original focus was on producing scripted true crime series, but their scope expanded into the mystery, science fiction, and history genres as well as fictional audiodramas.
Parcast currently produces over 40 daily and weekly shows, supported by a team of more than 75 voice actors, producers, and scriptwriters. Unlike competitors such as Wondery or Gimlet Media, Parcast focuses on producing a higher quantity of podcasts while deemphasizing quality′.

Audience

According to due diligence performed by Spotify, over 75% of Parcast's audience is female.

Series produced

TitleHosts / Cast MembersGenreUpdate schedule
AssassinationsKate Leonard, Bill ThomasTrue crimeMondays
Con ArtistsAlastair MurdenTrue crimeWednesdays
Conspiracy TheoriesMolly Brandenburg, Carter RoyPop historyWednesdays
Crime BitesMiscellaneousTrue crimeMiscellaneous
Crimes of PassionLanie HobbsTrue crimeWednesdays
CultsGreg Polcyn, Vanessa RichardsonPop history/true crimeTuesdays
The Dark Side of...Kate Leonard, Richard RossnerPop historyMondays
DictatorsKate Leonard, Richard RossnerPop historyMondays
Dog TalesAlastair MurdenPop historyMondays
EspionageCarter RoyPop historyMondays
ExtraterrestrialBill Thomas, Tim JohnsonPop historyTuesdays
Female CriminalsVanessa Richardson, Sami NyeTrue crimeWednesdays
GoneMolly Brandenburg, Richard RossnerTrue crimeAlternate Mondays
Great Women of BusinessVanessa Richardson, Molly BrandenburgBusiness documentaryN/A
Haunted PlacesGreg PolcynParapsychologyThursdays
Historical FiguresCarter Roy, Vanessa RichardsonPop historyAlternate Wednesdays
HostageIrma Blanco, Carter RoyTrue crimeThursdays
KingpinsKate Leonard, Howell HargestTrue crimeFridays
Natural DisastersKate Leonard, Bill ThomasDocumentaryThursdays
Medical MysteriesMolly Brandenburg, Richard RossnerMedical documentaryTuesdays
Mind's EyeN/AAudiodramaN/A
Mythical MonstersVanessa RichardsonMythology retellingMondays
MythologyVanessa RichardsonMythology retellingTuesdays
Not GuiltyVanessa RichardsonTrue crimeMondays
Political ScandalsKate Leonard, Richard RossnerPolitical documentaryTuesdays
Secret SocietiesKate Leonard, Richard RossnerPop historyMondays
Serial KillersGreg Polcyn, Vanessa RichardsonTrue crimeMondays
Secret SocietiesGreg Polcyn, Vanessa RichardsonPop historyThursdays
SurvivalIrma Blanco, Tim JohnsonDocumentaryMondays
TalesVanessa RichardsonMythological retellingAlternate Saturdays
Today in True CrimeN/ATrue crimeDaily
Unexplained MysteriesMolly Brandenburg, Richard RossnerInvestigative journalismThursdays
Unsolved Murders: True Crime StoriesCarter Roy, Wenndy MackenzieTrue crimeTuesdays
VillainsAlastair MurdenLiterary criticismFridays

Citations used