Pocket FM is an audio series[1] platform, and has a presence in over 20 countries globally.[2] The platform has over 250,000 content creators and over 130 million listeners spread across geographies.[3][4]

Pocket FM
DeveloperPocket FM Corp
Launch date2018; 6 years ago (2018)
Platform(s)Android, iOS
Pricing modelFreemium Model, Microtransaction
Websitewww.pocketfm.com

History

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Pocket FM was founded in 2018 by two alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, Rohan Nayak, Nishanth KS along with Prateek Dixit.[5]

The company's app on Google Play surpassed 100 million downloads in 2023.[6]

Pocket Novel, an online reading platform, was officially launched by the company in 2024 after a year-long beta phase. News sources cite Pocket FM investing $40 million in its novel business and will compete against Pratilipi. The novel platform has over 150,000 writers and over 250,000 novels, uploaded by writers.[7][8]

Content

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Pocket FM offers content in various genres including romance, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mythology, suspense and thriller. Each episode usually lasts between 10 and 30 minutes.[9]

Pocket FM offers content in a variety of languages including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali.[10]

The platform follows a Freemium model where the first 3-4 episodes in a 24-hour period are offered for free to listeners. Thereafter the platform charges the listeners, giving them a choice to make a micropayment per episode or buy the entire audio series.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (2024-03-20). "India's Pocket FM Raises $103 Million in Funding to Expand Audio Series Globally". Variety. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  2. ^ "'Pocket FM Expects 4x Growth To $100 Million ARR By 2023-End': CEO Rohan Nayak | Interview". News18. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Pocket FM claims global listener base of 130 million". The Economic Times. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  4. ^ Sureban, Haripriya (13 June 2022). "Pocket FM to start IP licensing of its content". BusinessLine. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Pocket FM—audio streaming service: Storytelling that powers binge-listening". Financialexpress. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Pocket FM crosses over 100 million downloads on Google Play Store". The Times of India. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Pocket FM launches online novel reading platform Pocket Novel, to invest $40 million". Moneycontrol. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  8. ^ Jha, Lata (2024-02-20). "Pocket FM to invest $40 mn to expand online reading library". mint. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  9. ^ Suvarna, Anuj (8 November 2022). "Pocket FM records $25 mn ARR; eyes US foray". mint. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Pocket FM Wants To Be The Netflix Of Long-form Audio". Forbes India. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  11. ^ "'Pocket FM Expects 4x Growth To $100 Million ARR By 2023-End': CEO Rohan Nayak Interview". News18. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.