For a long time, the podcast "Call Her Daddy" and Barstool Sports were, in a way, practically synonymous. Many listeners, you know, discovered the show through Barstool's massive platform, and it certainly became one of their biggest hits. It felt like a truly core part of their content empire, drawing in huge audiences with its very unique style and conversations. So, it's almost natural for folks to wonder about its current status, especially with all the changes that happen in the world of online media and entertainment.
The story of "Call Her Daddy" is, you know, quite a fascinating one, a real journey that has seen it grow from a fresh, new voice to a major player in the audio space. It captured so many ears and, in some respects, redefined what a successful podcast could be. This journey, however, included a pretty significant moment where things shifted dramatically behind the scenes, changing its home base and its ownership structure entirely.
So, the question, "Is Call Her Daddy still owned by Barstool?", is actually a really good one, and it gets right to the heart of a very interesting chapter in podcast history. We're going to explore what happened, where the show stands now, and what that big change meant for everyone involved, basically giving you the full picture.
Table of Contents
- The Early Days: A Barstool Beginning
- The Big Transition: A New Home for Call Her Daddy
- What the Spotify Deal Really Meant
- Alex Cooper's Role and Creative Freedom
- The Podcast Landscape Today
- Frequently Asked Questions About Call Her Daddy Ownership
The Early Days: A Barstool Beginning
The "Call Her Daddy" podcast truly burst onto the scene in 2018, launching under the Barstool Sports umbrella. It was, you know, a very different kind of show for the company at the time, offering a rather candid and often humorous look at relationships, dating, and, well, just life from a distinctly female viewpoint. Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, the original hosts, created a dynamic that resonated with a huge audience, especially younger listeners, and it grew very quickly.
Barstool, with its already established audience and marketing muscle, provided a powerful launchpad for the show. They were, in a way, instrumental in helping "Call Her Daddy" find its initial footing and gain widespread recognition. The podcast became one of Barstool's most popular offerings, consistently ranking high on charts and bringing a fresh demographic to the brand. This period was marked by rapid growth and, you know, a lot of buzz around the show's unique content.
The hosts, Alex and Sofia, became, more or less, household names among podcast fans, and their unfiltered discussions really connected with people. It was a very exciting time for the show, building a loyal following and demonstrating the immense potential of personality-driven audio content. The connection to Barstool was, apparently, a key part of its identity during these formative years.
The Big Transition: A New Home for Call Her Daddy
Things began to change for "Call Her Daddy" in 2020, leading to a period of very public disagreement between the hosts and Barstool Sports. This situation, you know, became quite a topic of conversation across the internet, with fans and media observers following every twist and turn. It was, frankly, a very clear example of the growing pains that can happen when independent creators find massive success under a larger media company.
The core of the issue revolved around contract negotiations, creative control, and, in some respects, the financial terms of their arrangement. Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn were seeking, you know, a new deal that they felt better reflected the immense value and popularity of their podcast. This led to a temporary halt in new episodes, leaving fans wondering what would happen next with their favorite show.
Eventually, the situation saw Sofia Franklyn leave the podcast. Alex Cooper then continued the show as the sole host, and, as a matter of fact, she signed a new, very significant deal. This new deal was not with Barstool Sports, but rather with Spotify, the audio streaming giant. This move marked a truly pivotal moment, signaling a complete change in ownership and distribution for "Call Her Daddy."
The transition was, in a way, a landmark event in the podcasting world. It showed the increasing value of exclusive content and the willingness of major platforms like Spotify to invest heavily in popular shows. So, to answer the initial question directly, no, "Call Her Daddy" is not still owned by Barstool Sports. It became, basically, a Spotify exclusive podcast, a very big shift from its origins.
What the Spotify Deal Really Meant
The agreement between Alex Cooper and Spotify was, to be honest, a very big deal, reportedly valued at around $60 million over several years. This kind of money was, you know, pretty unheard of for a podcast at that time, truly highlighting the immense worth of "Call Her Daddy" and its audience. It wasn't just about the money, though; it was also about creative control and the strategic vision for the show's future.
For Spotify, acquiring "Call Her Daddy" as an exclusive meant bringing a massive, engaged audience directly to their platform. This was part of their broader strategy to become the primary destination for all audio content, not just music. They were, in a way, building a very strong library of exclusive podcasts to attract new subscribers and keep existing ones engaged. This move was, you know, a clear signal of their commitment to the podcasting space.
For Alex Cooper, the deal provided, basically, a new level of independence and resources. It allowed her to expand the show's production, bring in new guests, and explore different content avenues without the constraints of her previous arrangement. It meant, in some respects, a fresh start and the chance to shape the podcast exactly as she envisioned it, with the backing of a global audio company.
The shift also had a wider impact on the podcast industry. It demonstrated the significant financial opportunities available to top-tier creators and, you know, set a new benchmark for what exclusive podcast deals could look like. It showed that individual personalities could command massive deals, moving beyond traditional media structures. This was, apparently, a very important moment for creator empowerment in audio.
Alex Cooper's Role and Creative Freedom
With "Call Her Daddy" now solely under the creative direction of Alex Cooper and backed by Spotify, her role as the host and executive producer became, you know, even more central. She gained, in a way, complete creative freedom to steer the show's content, choose guests, and explore topics without external influence. This was a significant change from the earlier days, where a larger media company might have had more say.
This newfound freedom allowed the podcast to evolve, bringing in a wider range of guests from celebrities and public figures to experts in various fields. The conversations, you know, became more varied, touching on mental health, relationships, career advice, and personal stories with a depth that might have been harder to achieve before. Alex's interviewing style, basically, continued to resonate with her listeners, who appreciated her candid and empathetic approach.
The show's continued success under Spotify is, in some respects, a testament to Alex Cooper's ability to connect with her audience and adapt the content while staying true to its core appeal. She has, apparently, built a very strong personal brand around the podcast, making it a reflection of her own interests and insights. This level of autonomy is, you know, a key benefit of such a large exclusive deal.
Her work on the podcast has also, in a way, extended beyond just the audio. Alex has used her platform to engage with her audience on social media, creating a very interactive experience. This direct connection with listeners is, basically, a huge part of why the show continues to thrive, even after such a big ownership change. She truly understands what her audience wants, and she delivers it.
The Podcast Landscape Today
The story of "Call Her Daddy's" move to Spotify is, you know, just one example of a much larger trend happening in the podcast industry. Major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music are all, in a way, vying for exclusive content and top talent. This competition has led to, basically, a significant increase in the value of popular podcasts and the creators behind them.
This intense competition means that creators with large, engaged audiences have, apparently, more leverage than ever before. They can, in some respects, negotiate very lucrative deals that offer not just financial security but also creative control and access to vast distribution networks. It's a very different world from when podcasting first started, where independent creators often struggled to monetize their work effectively.
The shift also highlights the importance of intellectual property in the digital age. Who owns the show, the brand, and the audience becomes, you know, a very critical question. The "Call Her Daddy" situation served as a high-profile reminder that creators need to be very clear about their agreements and understand the long-term implications of their partnerships. It's a complex area, for sure.
So, while "Call Her Daddy" is now firmly established as a Spotify exclusive, its journey really does, you know, reflect the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the audio content space. It shows how quickly things can change and how much value is placed on authentic voices that resonate with listeners. The industry is, basically, still in a period of very rapid growth and transformation, with new deals and shifts happening all the time.
Learn more about podcast ownership on our site, and you can also check out this page for more insights into media deals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Call Her Daddy Ownership
Here are some common questions people often ask about "Call Her Daddy" and its ownership, basically clearing up any confusion.
Is Call Her Daddy still on Spotify?
Yes, absolutely! "Call Her Daddy" is, in fact, an exclusive podcast on Spotify. You can, you know, find all new episodes and the entire back catalog solely on the Spotify platform. This was part of the very big deal Alex Cooper signed with them, making it their home.
Who owns Call Her Daddy now?
The podcast "Call Her Daddy" is now, basically, owned by Spotify. Alex Cooper, the host, signed a major exclusive deal with the streaming giant, which means the show's intellectual property and distribution rights belong to Spotify. She maintains, in a way, creative control over the content, but the ownership is with the platform.
Why did Call Her Daddy leave Barstool?
"Call Her Daddy" left Barstool Sports due to, you know, disagreements over contract terms, creative control, and financial compensation during negotiations for a new deal in 2020. The original co-host, Sofia Franklyn, left the show, and Alex Cooper then went on to sign a very lucrative exclusive deal with Spotify, basically moving the podcast entirely to a new home.
