Mercury Announces Subscription Service For Indie Podcasters

 Here is an announcement that is basically a dream come true for independent podcasters. The S.O.S. has finally been answered!

Mercury is unveiling Orbit, a new subscription service designed to support independent podcasters at every stage of their journey. While Mercury launched as a podcast network, its long-term vision has always been to represent and serve the entire independent podcasting space. Orbit is a key step in that evolution.

Open to all independent podcasters and agencies from today, Orbit provides enterprise-level hosting, monetization support, a secure members-only community, and access to a growing suite of tools and resources, with a dedicated resource hub launching in a future phase. Members can log into a secure portal to connect, message, and collaborate with other podcasters through private messages and forums, creating a trusted community space for the indie sector.

Orbit subscriptions start from $12 per month, plus a commission on podcast advertising revenue to cover administrative costs. This model allows Mercury to support podcasters regardless of audience size or experience, while delivering immediate cost savings and new opportunities to earn from their content. Mercury’s vision is for Orbit to become a hub for the best independent creators of tomorrow, and a natural talent pipeline into the Mercury Podcast Network, where shows demonstrating strong potential can be identified and promoted within the network.

As Mercury looks to its next phase of growth, the network is also expanding its focus beyond shows to the wider freelance talent that powers the podcast industry. To support this, Mercury is announcing a new production partnership with Amplifi Collective, which will result in the ability to offer end to end services for clients across development, producing, editing and distribution.

By combining Amplifi’s freelance talent pool with Mercury’s distribution and monetization expertise, the partnership aims to connect major brands and clients with highly skilled independent podcast professionals. The collaboration will create paid opportunities for freelancers who may lack the contacts or confidence to compete in an increasingly competitive job market, while also enabling Mercury and Amplifi to work together on developing bold, innovative new podcast formats.

Speaking on the partnership, Taylor Cottrell, Founder & Executive at Amplifi Collective, says: "The future of audio depends on who gets access today. Amplifi is about widening that access so we're super excited to be partnering with Mercury to scale that mission, unlock new opportunities, and continue championing the independent audio space."

This announcement changes the game in podcasting. No longer can the large podcast networks exclude, ignore, and intimidate independent podcasters that make up 90 percent of the industry by downloads and listens. 

What is needed is more podcast networks to step forward like Mercury. Next Chapter Podcasts, Transmission Roadhouse, Podomedy, and others. Hello! McFly!