Podcast Host Agreement by Verified Lawyer

This 6-page Podcast Host Agreement is a lawyer-drafted contract that sets out the relationship between a podcast producer and a host who provides on-air and related services. It defines the hosting duties, recording schedule, exclusivity, fees, ownership of the podcast and all related content, and how disputes will be handled, so both sides know exactly what is expected before any episodes are recorded. The template is written in clear, practical language with fill-in sections for the podcast name, platforms, episode dates, fee structure, and governing law, making it easy to adapt for different shows and hosting arrangements. Who this Agreement is for: • Podcast producers hiring a guest host or recurring host on an independent contractor basis. • Media companies or networks that want a consistent written agreement for all podcast hosting engagements. • Independent podcasters who are bringing in a new host and want clear expectations on services, payment, and rights. • Agencies or production studios that manage multiple shows and need a standard host contract. • Hosts who want written terms that clarify their duties, compensation, and use of their name and likeness. Key clauses included in this template: • Engagement and Hosting Services. Describes the engagement of the host, the episodes covered, and the specific services to be performed, including hosting, recording, scriptwriting, content creation, research, guest preparation, and any additional services. • Recording Schedule and Location. Sets out the dates on which episodes will be recorded, expected run times, and the agreed recording location. • Exclusivity During the Term. Requires the host to provide services exclusively to the producer during the term, so the host is not simultaneously hosting or co-hosting another podcast. • Producer Control, Quality Standards, and Revisions. Confirms that the producer has final creative and editorial approval, sets professional and industry-standard expectations, and allows the producer to request reasonable edits, pickups, and revisions on a timely basis. • Promotion and Social Media. Requires the host to promote episodes on their social media handles using content provided and approved by the producer, and prohibits disparaging posts about the podcast or its sponsors. • Ownership of Podcast and IP. States that all rights in the podcast, episodes, formats, edits, transcripts, titles, logos, and related intellectual property remain the sole property of the producer. • Name and Likeness Rights. Grants the producer a broad, royalty-free, perpetual license to use the host’s name, voice, image, and biography in any media worldwide for podcast distribution, advertising, marketing, and other lawful purposes. • Fee and Credit. Sets the per-episode fee, payment method and timing, and the form of host credit on published episodes, while leaving other credit details to the producer’s discretion. • Work Made for Hire and Assignment of Rights. Treats materials created by the host as work made for hire, assigns all rights to the producer, and includes a waiver of moral rights to prevent later claims. • Confidential Information. Protects non-public information about the podcast, including storylines and production details, and requires confidentiality until each episode is published. • Term, Breach, and Termination. Defines the term of the agreement, provides a cure period if the host breaches, and allows the producer to terminate and stop using the host’s services if the breach is not corrected. • Mutual Indemnities. Requires the host to indemnify the producer for losses arising from host breaches, and requires the producer to indemnify the host for certain third party claims that are not caused by host breach. • Limited Remedies. Limits the host’s remedies to direct monetary damages and waives injunctive relief so the host cannot interfere with exploitation of the podcast. • Independent Contractor Relationship. Clarifies that the host is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the producer. • Governing Law, Dispute Resolution, and Attorneys’ Fees. Sets the governing state law, provides for mediation followed by binding arbitration, and allows the prevailing party to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. • Standard Contract Provisions. Includes entire agreement, enforceability, assignment, amendments, waiver, counterparts, and notice provisions for a complete, professional business contract. Use this Agreement to put every podcast hosting relationship on a solid legal footing, and purchase and download the template today so you can start using it for your next host engagement.