TL;DR
The Program released fewer main episodes in 2025 and saw annual downloads fall to 140,000, bringing total lifetime downloads past one million. Revenue rose to CAD 31,276, driven chiefly by Patreon, while paid subscriptions on Apple declined.
What happened
In 2025 the creator of The Program prioritized fewer, higher-effort releases and a mix of public and subscriber-only material. The year included three main-series episodes, a record number of auxiliary installments and new subscriber-focused interview content. The show recorded roughly 140,000 downloads in 2025 (down from 170,000 in 2024 and 240,000 in 2023) but surpassed one million cumulative downloads. Paid support on Patreon continued to grow — the creator reports 452 paid patrons and 471 free patrons — while paid subscribers on Apple Podcasts fell to 64. Platform metrics showed shifting player shares, with Spotify appearing to overtake Apple and Pocket Casts gaining listeners. Financially, Patreon accounted for the bulk of income; total 2025 receipts were CAD 31,276, a year-over-year increase of 25%. The creator also ran audience contests, quizzes and a survey to maintain engagement between long production cycles.
Why it matters
- Patreon supplied the majority of revenue, highlighting creator dependence on a single platform.
- Fewer main releases coincided with a decline in annual downloads, suggesting output frequency affects reach.
- Platform behavior (Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts) influenced distribution and audience data, underscoring external risks to listenership and metrics.
- Growing free patron numbers may provide a pipeline for converting supporters to paid memberships over time.
Key facts
- 2025 downloads: ~140,000 (2024: 170,000; 2023: 240,000).
- Lifetime downloads passed 1,000,000 in 2025.
- Regular series releases in 2025 included three main episodes: 'Random number generator', 'Hard fork', and 'Contemporary Cube Theory'.
- Total releases for the year: 4 public episodes and 5 subscriber-exclusive episodes.
- Patreon paid members: 452; free patrons: 471.
- Apple Podcasts paid subscribers: 64.
- 2025 revenue breakdown (CAD): Patreon $23,135; Apple subscriptions $3,351; Rusty Quill ad money $4,290; PayPal one-time donations $500. Total: $31,276 (25% increase y.o.y.).
- Patreon represented roughly 74% of 2025 revenue.
- Pocket Casts share grew to about 11.5%, up from 4.7% two years earlier.
- A July spike in downloads was attributed to Spotify re-downloading episodes; an April spike has no confirmed explanation.
What to watch next
- Whether Patreon’s ongoing feature rollouts (native chats, discovery changes, ambassador program) further boost audience growth and revenue.
- The cause and durability of 2025 platform spikes (April and July) — April’s origin is not confirmed in the source.
- Plans for a possible referral or reward program to encourage listener-driven discovery in 2026, which the creator said they might pursue.
Quick glossary
- Patreon: A membership platform where supporters can pay creators directly for exclusive content and benefits.
- Auxiliary episode: A non-main-series release such as interviews, compilations or special features offered alongside regular episodes.
- Downloads: A common podcast metric counting times an episode file is requested; spikes can be driven by technical re-downloads or promotions.
- Ad revenue: Payments a show receives for running advertisements or network-placed sponsorships.
- Paid subscriber: A listener who pays a platform or creator for premium access, exclusive episodes, or other benefits.
Reader FAQ
How much did The Program make in 2025?
Total reported revenue was CAD 31,276.
Which income source contributed the most?
Patreon was the largest source, contributing CAD 23,135 or about 74% of revenue.
How many downloads did the show get in 2025?
Approximately 140,000 downloads in 2025; lifetime downloads exceeded one million.
Did paid support change on Apple and Patreon?
Patreon paid supporters rose to 452; Apple Podcasts paid subscribers declined to 64.
Will platform policy changes force the show to move platforms?
not confirmed in the source
The Program — 2025 year in review About Episodes Bonuses Articles Merch The Program audio series year in review: 2025 Enhance readability: Off On Powered by Beeline Reader Previous…
Sources
- The Program 2025 annual review: How much money does an audio drama podcast make?
- How much money does an audio drama podcast make?
- Podcast ad revenue up 20% next year, thanks to video
- Podcast Ad Spend to Surpass $3 Billion in 2025, IAB Projects
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