Change of era for Binge Audio.
Seven years after its creation, the producer of original podcasts (
Les Couilles sur la table, Program B, Kiffe ta race
, etc.) comes under the leadership of another player in the sector, Paradiso Media.
The latter acquired 62% of the capital of the Parisian company, an operation during which he bought the minority shares held since 2018 by the media group Les Echos-Le Parisien.
"
Les Echos-Le Parisien has allowed Binge Audio to grow and they have gained expertise in podcasting
", with the daily news programs
Code Source
and
La Story
, underlines Joël Ronez, president of the production company.
“
But we needed a new shareholder from the podcast community to go even further.
»
Binge Audio like Paradiso suffers from their intermediate size in a sector where there are both small creators and public and private radio stations.
This creative industry does not benefit from public aid, and it faced its economic fragility during the Covid-19 crisis.
"
Everything is pushing for the consolidation of professional studios
", continues Joël Ronez.
This fundamental movement has already begun with the acquisition in September of the producer Nouvelles Listening by the Swedish fund PodX, and with the acquisition in December of 47% of the capital of Louie Media by the press group CMI (Elle, Marianne, Télé
7 days
...).
Become a leader in Europe
By joining together, Paradiso and Binge Audio intend to form the French leader in independent podcasting in terms of audience and turnover, but also “
to become number one in Europe
”, explains Lorenzo Benedetti, director of Paradiso.
“
Our next round of financing
,
which we have just started
[with an objective of around ten million euros, editor's note]
, aims to take stakes and build a network.
We will be able to offer talent a whole range of services, from production assistance to support in marketing and relations with audio platforms, including diversification in publishing and audiovisual.
»
These talents could be both podcasters and video content creators wishing to make the leap into audio.
This movement is already underway with, in France, the great success of the podcasts of Léna Situations, Hugo Décrypte and Domingo (
PopCorn
).
Read also“I found an informal link with my community”: when YouTubers embark on the intimate podcast
The group wishes to become essential for advertisers who want to reach an audience of young CSP+ adults.
“
With this operation, we are reaching a critical size, and we will be able to offer brands more varied types of programs
,” notes Gabrielle Boery-Charles, director of Binge Audio.
“
We also know how to do video operations for social networks
,” adds Lorenzo Benedetti.
“
And the future network will allow us to monetize content that we do not produce directly.
»
Two complementary profiles
The Paradiso and Binge Audio profiles are complementary.
The first, founded in 2019, specializes in fiction, youth programs, and the production of original programs for platforms such as Spotify or Audible.
It has expanded internationally with an American subsidiary, which accounts for a third of its income, and the adaptation in English and Spanish of its paid children's podcast offer DISO, marketed by Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Read alsoPodcast: the French Paradiso to conquer American listeners
Binge Audio specializes in recurring programs on social issues with a strong progressive focus.
According to the ACPM, it brings together 700,000 unique listeners for nearly 2 million monthly plays.
Its economic model (2 million euros in revenue in 2021) is mainly based on the production of white label podcasts and its advertising management.
Binge Audio has also created its own book publishing house (120,000 sales since 2019) and organizes paid events.
Paradiso has diversified into the audiovisual sector.
He is co-producing with CineFrance a feature film adapted from his podcast on autism “
In flip-flops at the top of the Himalayas
”.
Filming begins this month.
The psychological thriller "
I hold you
", with Camélia Jordana in the main role, is adapted into a TV series by Mediawan.
“
Paradiso also knows how to raise funds, and from French investors, which is an important point for us
”, adds Joël Ronez.
“
This acquisition is the best of both worlds
,” smiles Lorenzo Benedetti.
“
By joining our forces, we will create a benchmark player.
»