OpenStream is a technology platform that gives radio and podcast publishers a recurring revenue channel through audio advertising. Radio publishers can sell ad space in its marketplace and serve geolocated pre-roll and mid-roll ads. Podcast publishers can use geolocated pre-roll and out-roll ads, monetize catalogs by changing episode URLs, and retain their own sponsors. A dashboard shows historical revenue and audience statistics along with a realtime audience map. OpenStream says it works across devices and players, including WordPress, and excludes adult, pornographic and gambling advertisements. It describes its service as a proxy that sends an ad and redirects listeners without storing or copying podcast content. Setup instructions cover Libsyn, iTunes, SoundCloud and Feedburner, but BluBrry is unsupported. The service is free to use, but new account registration is closed because it has reached the maximum number of accounts it can monetize; a waitlist is available. Fast-lane accounts are reserved for popular radio stations with at least 1 million active sessions per month. Publisher payments activate at $50 in earnings after a four-month validation process.
Who it is for
OpenStream is aimed at radio and podcast publishers seeking to earn from audio advertising. Its waitlist may be relevant to publishers interested in joining while registration is closed.
What is good
- Free to use with no obligation.
- Radio and podcast ad options are listed.
- Publishers can retain podcast sponsors.
- Dashboard includes revenue and audience statistics.
- Service says it does not store podcast content.
What to know first
- New account registration is closed.
- BluBrry is unsupported.
- Fast-lane accounts require at least 1 million monthly active sessions.
- Payments require $50 in earnings and four-month validation.
Verdict
OpenStream offers audio ad monetization options for radio and podcast publishers, with an audience and revenue dashboard. Its account limit currently closes registration, and publisher payments involve an earnings threshold and validation period.
Get started with OpenStream
- Visit https://www.openstream.co/.
- Join the waitlist while new account registration is closed.
- Use the setup instructions for Libsyn, iTunes, SoundCloud, or Feedburner when available.
- Configure audio advertising for radio or podcast content.
- Review revenue and audience statistics in the dashboard.
What the free plan stops at
New publisher accounts cannot currently register and must use the waitlist. Payments activate only after $50 in earnings and a four-month validation period; fast-lane accounts are reserved for radio stations with at least 1 million active sessions per month.
Questions about OpenStream
How much does OpenStream cost?
The OpenStream plan is free, with no obligation and cancellation anytime.
Can I sign up now?
New account registration is currently closed because OpenStream has reached the maximum number of accounts it can monetize. A waitlist is available.
Which platforms and players does it support?
OpenStream is a web service and says it works across devices and players, including WordPress. Setup instructions cover Libsyn, iTunes, SoundCloud, and Feedburner; BluBrry is unsupported.
How do publishers get paid?
Payments activate after earnings reach $50 and a four-month validation process. Payments are usually sent in the last week of the month.
What advertising can publishers run?
The service supports audio ads, including geolocated pre-roll and mid-roll ads for radio and geolocated pre-roll and out-roll ads for podcasts. Podcast publishers can retain their own sponsors.
Where is OpenStream based?
OpenStream is headquartered in Chantilly, France.
OpenStream plans and pricing
All plansCompared on podcast advertising platforms
- Free plan
- Yes
- Advertiser marketplace
- Yes
- Publisher sales tools
- Yes
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Yes
- Targeting level
- advanced
- Measurement level
- engagement
- Ad formats
- audio ads, pre-roll ads, out-roll ads
- Campaign workflow
- managed
