Joe Rogan Tops 2026 List of Highest-earning Podcasters
WHO:
The Source - Joe Rogan, Charlamagne Tha God, Joe Budden, Jay Shetty, Michelle Obama, Matt Damon, Ted Sarandos, Jason and Travis Kelce, Alex Cooper, John Coogan, Jordi Hays, Steven Bartlett, Ashley Flowers, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Mel Robbins, Dax Shepard, Amy Poehler, Bill Simmons, Tucker Carlson, Scott Galloway, Andrew Huberman, Dan Katz, Eric Sollenberger, Hannah Berner, Paige DeSorbo.
WHAT:
Forbes - Joe Rogan's podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience" is estimated to bring in $82 million in 2026.
Forbes - John Coogan and Jordi Hays' podcast "TBPN" earned $70 million.
Forbes - Steven Bartlett's podcast "The Diary of a CEO" earned $45 million.
Forbes - Ashley Flowers' podcast "Crime Junkie" earned $42 million.
Forbes - The podcast "SmartLess" earned $37 million.
Forbes - Mel Robbins' podcast "The Mel Robbins Podcast" earned $35 million.
Forbes - Jason and Travis Kelce's podcast "New Heights" earned $35 million.
Forbes - Alex Cooper's podcast "Call Her Daddy" earned $32 million.
Forbes - Bill Simmons' podcast "The Bill Simmons Podcast" earned $22 million.
Forbes - Jay Shetty's podcast "On Purpose" earned $21 million.
Forbes - Joe Budden's podcast "The Joe Budden Podcast" earned $20 million.
Forbes - Tucker Carlson's podcast "The Tucker Carlson Show" earned $20 million.
Forbes - Scott Galloway's podcast "The Prof G Pod" earned $19 million.
Forbes - Andrew Huberman's podcast "The Huberman Lab Project" earned $18 million.
Forbes - Dan Katz and Eric Sollenberger's podcast "Pardon My Take" earned $18 million.
Forbes - Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo's podcast "Giggly Squad" earned $18 million.
The Source - Joe Rogan is the highest-paid podcaster in 2026, earning $82 million.
Forbes - Jay Shetty earned $21 million over the past 12 months and secured a new contract worth an estimated $100 million over three years with Spotify and Netflix.
Forbes - Joe Rogan's contract with Spotify is valued at up to $250 million over three years.
Forbes - Charlamagne Tha God renewed his agreement with iHeart Media for up to $200 million over five years.
Forbes - The podcast "New Heights" by Jason and Travis Kelce received a three-year, $100 million deal from Amazon's Wondery.
Forbes - Ashley Flowers earned $42 million from her podcast "Crime Junkie" and a $150 million distribution deal with Tubi and Red Seat Ventures.
Forbes - The podcast "SmartLess" hosts earned $37 million.
Forbes - The podcast "The Diary of a CEO" generated $45 million in revenue.
Forbes - The podcast "Pod Save America" earned $28 million.
Forbes - The podcast "The Tucker Carlson Show" earned $20 million.
WHERE:
The Source - Joe Rogan's podcast is based in Austin, Texas.
Forbes - The podcast "New Heights" is associated with Amazon's Wondery.
WHEN:
Forbes - Jay Shetty's podcast "On Purpose" started in 2019.
Forbes - The podcast "New Heights" started in the fall of 2022.
Forbes - The deal for "New Heights" was finalized in August 2024.
Forbes - Charlamagne Tha God’s agreement renewal occurred in December.
WHY:
Forbes - The rise of podcasting is attributed to its lower production costs and the ability to generate revenue through host-read advertisements.
Forbes - Streaming platforms are entering the podcasting space to compete with YouTube's dominance in engagement time.
HOW:
Forbes - Podcasters retain ownership of their show's underlying intellectual property, allowing networks to pay millions to license it.
Forbes - Major networks are offering high-value contracts to attract top talent away from existing platforms.
(UPDATED July 31, 2026 06:05 UTC)
In a remarkable year for podcasting, Joe Rogan's "The Joe Rogan Experience" is projected to generate an impressive $82 million in 2026, making it the highest-earning podcast. Following closely behind, John Coogan and Jordi Hays' "TBPN" is expected to bring in $70 million, while Steven Bartlett's "The Diary of a CEO" will earn $45 million. Other notable podcasts include Ashley Flowers' "Crime Junkie" at $42 million and "SmartLess," which is set to earn $37 million.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 23:23 UTC)
In a remarkable shift in the podcasting landscape, Joe Rogan has emerged as the highest-paid podcaster in 2026, raking in an impressive $82 million, while his contract with Spotify is valued at up to $250 million over three years. Meanwhile, Jay Shetty has secured a new contract worth an estimated $100 million over three years with Spotify and Netflix, adding to his earnings of $21 million over the past year. Other notable figures include Charlamagne Tha God, who renewed his agreement with iHeart Media for up to $200 million over five years, and the Kelce brothers, whose podcast "New Heights" received a lucrative three-year, $100 million deal from Amazon's Wondery.