‘SmartLess’ Goes Wireless: Podcast Trio Launches Budget Mobile Brand.

The acting trio behind the hit SmartLess podcast — Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett — have debuted an ambitious brand extension for their show with the launch of SmartLess Mobile. The trio has partnered with wireless industry veterans Paul and Jeni McAleese, along with lead investor Thomvest Asset Management, to roll out the first product extension for SmartLess.

“Our SmartLess podcast now reaches millions of listeners each month, almost all of whom listen on their phones,” said Bateman. “Extending the SmartLess brand into mobile is a logical next step.”

SmartLess Mobile is pitching consumers with a service that features smaller monthly bills than the big mobile providers. It points out that nearly 90% of their phone’s data use happens over Wi-Fi, undercutting the need for expensive unlimited data plans.

“We’re not the industry, and we’re not trying to outsmart you,” Hayes said. “If you own your phone, spend most of your day on Wi-Fi, and are on an unlimited data plan, moving to SmartLess Mobile could literally cut your monthly bill in half. Seriously, if your phone bill knew how often you’re on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed.”

SmartLess Mobile will still have coverage in places where there is no Wi-Fi, leaning on the T-Mobile 5G network for nationwide coverage. The brand’s pitch is, “Don’t get OutSmarted. Get SmartLess.” Its plans cost $15 to $30 per month. It also foregoes the hardware selling business, relying on customers to bring their own phones. And as a digital-only brand, SmartLess Mobile will not have retail locations and directed those savings to lowering the cost of service for its customers. 

“It’s time for something to cost less,” said Arnett. “You’re paying for way more data than you use, and we’re pretty sure that Big Wireless isn’t going to let you know that your phone isn’t using their network the vast majority of the time. So, we’ll say it: If you’re using less, you should be spending less.”

With the rise of eSIM technology, switching mobile providers has never been faster or easier. SmartLess Mobile says most Americans can bring their existing number with them by scanning a QR code, and the whole process takes just minutes.

The mobile brand is the latest money-making move for Bateman, Hayes and Arnett, who last year signed a deal worth a reported $100 million giving SiriusXM Media certain exclusive advertising and distribution rights.

SmartLess was launched in July 2020. In each episode, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. The trio’s Hollywood connections have stacked the guest list with plenty of well-known actors and celebrities. It has been consistently among the top five most listened-to podcasts monthly. Three years ago, the hosts formed SmartLess Media to leverage that success into new podcasts.