Dax Shepard’s ‘Armchair Expert’ Inks Exclusive Ad-Sales and Distribution Deal With Wondery.

Eight-figure podcast deals may be harder to come by in 2024, but comedian Dax Shepard has just demonstrated they still exist. He has inked an exclusive distribution and ad-sales deal with Wondery for Armchair Expert worth $80 million according to the Wall Street Journal. As part of the deal, Wondery and Shepard will co-develop and produce two new podcasts, and one livestream per year. Wondery will also have a first-look option for any additional new podcasts created by Shepard. 

Starting September 1, the deal includes rights to the Armchair Expert full back catalog of podcast content, distribution rights to RSS feed, launch video episodes for the first time, as well as rights to create translated versions of the podcast for Wondery’s global audience. In addition, new episodes of the show will be available one week early and ad-free on Wondery+ exclusively for subscribers, prior (to) being widely distributed. Wondery will also have exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell Armchair Expert merchandise. 

“This incredible show is a natural fit for the Wondery roster built to entertain, engage and delight podcast fans globally,” said Wondery CEO Jen Sargent in the announcement. “As we embark on a true collaboration with Dax and Monica, we look forward to helping the Armchair Expert brand expand its audience and reach within Amazon’s fandom-flywheel across audio, video, merchandise and beyond.”

According to Chartable, Armchair Expert ranks No. 92 among all shows on Apple Podcasts in the U.S. and No. 15 among Comedy shows. On Spotify, the show ranks No. 44 overall, and No. 15 among Comedy shows.

Shepard previously signed an exclusivity deal with Spotify in 2021, although last year it began to distribute the show to other podcast apps as part of a change in strategy at the streamer. 

Since its debut in 2018, Armchair Expert has featured more than 600 interviews with celebrities, artists, authors, scientists and global thought leaders. Under the Armchair Umbrella Network, Shepard and co-host Monica Padman have three weekly shows, with celebrities on Monday, experts on Thursday, and an interactive call-in show for listeners and fans each Friday. 

“I could not be more excited about making Wondery our home,” said Shepard in a statement. “Jen Sargent and her team have created a brand that imbues quality, daring and creativity. The Wondery logo actually means something. They are the HBO of the podcast space. We are extremely excited to join forces and bring fresh new content to listeners around the world.”

WME negotiated the deal on behalf of Armchair Expert and the Armchair Umbrella Network with Wondery; Dax Shepard and Monica Padman are both repped by WME.