If you haven’t already heard, Bob & Sheri will become a podcast-only show beginning on Monday, January 3. I wanted to take a moment to share why Sheri and I have made this decision—it’s not one we took lightly.
What does this mean for you as a listener? We think it means a better listening experience because you can now listen to the show whenever you want, on any device.
First, how did we get here? As a syndicated show, we generate money by selling ads within our show. The radio stations that carry the show agree to air the commercials we sell in exchange for the rights to broadcast the show in their area. Over the past several years, changes in technology and audience behavior have let national advertisers spend their dollars elsewhere, resulting in fewer dollars for our show and others like ours. For us, that means we won’t make payroll and will have to shut the show down.
Some shows are supported by the company that owns the radio station where they originate; others are part of an entire lineup of shows produced by large companies. We are independent, so we don’t have a corporation to support us. Although the ad dollars have dwindled, our desire to continue producing a show for you hasn’t changed. That’s why we’ve decided to drop the syndication in favor of delivering the show directly to listeners like you. We’ll need your support to make it a success.
Some of you know that we’ve been podcasting since 2006, when almost nobody knew podcasts existed. We thought podcasts would be a great way for listeners to keep up with the show if a local affiliate should drop us. Over the years, more people began listening to the podcast for several reasons: A short commute making it hard to hear the whole show; repetitive music; too many interruptions. With the podcast, what would take four hours to listen to on the radio becomes a little less than 90 minutes, with fewer interruptions.
What will the podcast sound like? If you’ve never listened to a podcast, you’ll find the show almost identical to what you hear right now. Same features, same people, same fun. What will change is the structure. We must do a few things to work within stations’ time constraints and rating requirements. As a podcast, we won’t be held to strict time limits; there will be a lot fewer commercials, and we won’t have to repeat the show’s name as often as we do on radio. Otherwise, you’ll hear the same show you enjoy now.
The transition has already begun! We have let our affiliate stations know the radio version of the show will end on December 31. Some stations will stay till the end; others will drop the show much sooner. That’s why we are encouraging all our listeners to make the move to the podcasts sooner rather than later.
We know some of you have never listened to a podcast and aren’t sure how to subscribe. We put together a video showing how easy it is. Here’s the link.
Right now, you can hear the podcast for free on all the major podcast platforms, our website, and the Bob & Sheri app until December 31. Or you can save money and subscribe to Bob & Sheri Premium now for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Bob & Sheri Premium gives you The Daily Show, The Oddcast, Talking Lamar, and True Weird Stuff. It also gives you access to over a dozen of our comedy CDs, Chatroom calls, and other behind-the-scenes content. Beginning on January 3, a subscription will cost $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. This is the lowest price we can charge to keep the business going. If you opt for the annual plan at $49.99, we will honor that price until 2027, so you save money by subscribing now.
As we’ve said, this is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make, yet we have no choice. The syndication model is no longer generating enough money to keep the lights on. With your help, we will be able to continue to do what we love.
So sorry to hear this. So sorry to see you go. I just can’t anymore. Like Sheri says I’m tired of being nickel and dimed to death by subscriptions. Fixed income only goes so far. Hope things work out for you, it just won’t be with me as a listener.Bye
Frank, our choice was clear. Stop doing the show, or try a different business model. None of us love subscriptions. But we want to keep doing the show and this is the only way to do it. I’m sorry you won’t be with us as we begin our next chapter
Hi y’all, I’ve been an avid listener since the Warren days🩵🩵. While I miss Bob, I’m excited about this new adventure. Not to give Tony any more ideas on how to take our money, but I would honestly pay to get a hold of pre-2020 oddcast episodes (like 2017, and beyond!). I love the inside shop Talk and gossip that Sherri and Bob used to do on the podcast/oddcast.
Thank you for everything you all do & God bless, Christin
Hi Christin!
Thanks so much for the comment. With Premium, you have access to the comedy CDs going back to 1995.
Unfortunately, we lost a ton of material when the old station changed computer systems multiple times. When Sheri and I took over the show in 2017, we tried to salvage as much of the material as we could but some of the really early stuff was already gone forever. Thank goodness we still have the CDs so everyone can hear the early bits. I hate that we don’t have more.
One thing you might enjoy is our 24/7 stream. It’s at http://www.bobandsheriradio.com. The site plays today’s show and instead of the music you would hear on the radio, we play archive bits–many of them are from before 2020. It’s free to listen, so you might want to try it.
Sorry Sheri and crew, as a 30+ year listener and only a month from 80 years old, as well as with a fixed income that shrinks monthly, I cannot afford to spend discretionary money on podcasts when there are both free radio and podcasts available.
I wish you all the best, I shall miss you.
Did you mean that if I join now, will the annual $49.99 last throughout 2027? I thought that was what was being advertised on the podcast I’m currently listening to for free. (Oh, and have been since 2006! Love the show! ❤️☮️ )
If you join today you will have $4.99 subscription until one year from today
Where do we apply for the Bob & Sheri Podcast scholarship, please?
I have enjoyed your show and been a listener since moving to Florida in 2007. I moved here for a new start as my previous employer of 40 years retired and closed the business. Starting over was a challenge at 60 but proved to be a good thing. I have since retired and like so many others, living on a fixed income. As a result I cannot afford another subscription so will have to say farewell to you all for many years of entertainment and laughs. I wish your entire crew the best of luck in the future and hope this new venture will work out well for all.
I think I found where I can subscribe but it wasn’t easy finding it. Also it shows 4.99 for monthly and 59.98 for yearly. Where do I sign up for 49.99 yearly?
Hi Nancy I believe I fixed this error. It was a funky setting on that page – If you go back now it should be correct!
I have a question please. Starting January 3rd, will the podcast be available on all streaming platforms or just Vimeo? Also, I went to bobandsheri.com/premium and the price for the year is $59.98. I want to make sure I get it right. (I know reading is fundamental, and I’m trying!)
Hi Kim,
I’m not sure i’m 100% understanding Vimeo is just what we use to send and store video. Our Premium Podcast will be available on Apple, Spotify, Itunes, Overcast, Youtube Music and Pocketcast as those work with Supporting Cast who is our Premium Provider.
The Oddcast, True Weird Stuff and older Bob and Sheri Episodes will remain available everwhere (with the exception of Older B&S after two years) If you have any more questions feel free to email me.
If we subscribe for $4.99 today? When will that subscription run out? October, 2027? Or December 31, 2027?
No problem…we’re in! So glad y’all aren’t going away!