Earwolf
Earwolf is an American comedy podcast network founded by comedian Scott Aukerman and producer Jeff Ullrich in August 2010.[1][2] Initially centered on Aukerman's Comedy Bang! Bang! (formerly Comedy Death-Ray Radio Hour), the network expanded to host a roster of improv-heavy and celebrity-driven shows produced from studios near the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles.[3][4] Earwolf gained prominence in the early podcast boom by aggregating talent from the improv and stand-up scenes, featuring flagship programs such as How Did This Get Made? hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, and Office Ladies with Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer.[5] The network was acquired by Stitcher in 2011 and later integrated into SiriusXM following Stitcher's purchase, enabling broader distribution while maintaining its focus on unscripted comedy formats that emphasize spontaneous humor and guest interactions.[6] Its defining characteristics include a collaborative ecosystem for comedians, contributing to the mainstreaming of podcasting as a medium for long-form entertainment, though it has faced industry shifts like ad revenue challenges common to audio networks.[3]History
Founding and Early Years (2010–2012)
Earwolf was founded in August 2010 by comedian and writer Scott Aukerman and producer Jeff Ullrich in Los Angeles, California, as an independent comedy podcast network.[7][8] The venture originated from Aukerman's established Comedy Death-Ray podcast, which served as the network's flagship program and attracted listeners through its blend of improvised sketches and interviews with comedians.[2] Ullrich, previously in finance and artist management, approached Aukerman with a business plan to expand the podcast into a dedicated network amid the early growth of digital audio content.[2][1] In its initial phase, Earwolf operated on a bootstrapped model, hosting a select lineup of niche comedy shows that emphasized live-feel improvisation and guest-driven humor from the Los Angeles comedy scene. Key early additions included How Did This Get Made?, which debuted in November 2010 and featured comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas dissecting poorly received films.[9] The network quickly incorporated a distinctive audio branding, including a signature wolf howl intro, to unify its programming and appeal to comedy enthusiasts seeking unscripted, character-based entertainment. By 2011, Earwolf had positioned itself as a pioneer in the comedy podcast space, capitalizing on the medium's accessibility for performers bypassing traditional media gatekeepers.[2] Monetization efforts began modestly through partnerships with emerging podcast advertising firms like Midroll, founded concurrently in 2010, which facilitated targeted ad insertions for shows like Comedy Death-Ray.[10] This approach supported organic growth without external funding, as the network hosted fewer than a dozen series by 2012, focusing on quality audio production and community engagement via RSS feeds and direct downloads rather than broad distribution platforms.[2] Earwolf's early success stemmed from its curatorial emphasis on authentic, performer-led content, fostering a loyal audience in an era when podcasting remained a fringe alternative to broadcast comedy.[1]