Podcast Co-Host Agreement Template: Essential Terms to Cover
TL;DR: A written co-host agreement prevents partnership disputes by clarifying ownership, responsibilities, revenue sharing, decision-making, and exit terms before conflicts arise. Even simple documentation protects both parties and makes difficult conversations easier when they inevitably become necessary.
Table of Contents
- Why Written Agreements Matter
- Ownership and Intellectual Property
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Financial Terms
- Decision-Making Structure
- Exit and Dissolution Terms
- Dispute Resolution
- Agreement Template Framework
- FAQ
Why Written Agreements Matter
Most podcast co-host relationships start enthusiastically. Everyone's excited, aligned, and optimistic. Written agreements feel unnecessary—even insulting to suggest.
Here's the thing: partnerships that don't need agreements feel that way until they do. Circumstances change. Life happens. What seemed obvious becomes disputed.
What written agreements prevent:
- "I thought we agreed..." misunderstandings
- Uncertainty when one partner wants to leave
- Fights over ownership during disagreements
- Unclear responsibility when things go wrong
- Revenue disputes as the show grows
What written agreements enable:
- Clear expectations from day one
- Easier difficult conversations (reference the agreement)
- Protection for both parties equally
- Smoother transitions if partnership changes
- Professional foundation for business decisions
You don't need lawyers for a basic agreement. You need clarity, documentation, and mutual understanding.
Ownership and Intellectual Property
Show ownership structure
Question to answer: Who owns the podcast as a whole?
Common structures:
Equal ownership (50/50): Both parties own the show equally. Decisions require consensus. Either can veto major changes. Simple but can create deadlock.
Primary/secondary ownership: One party owns majority (e.g., 60/40). The majority owner breaks ties but minority owner retains significant rights. Reflects unequal contribution.
Single ownership with revenue share: One party owns the show entirely; the other receives compensation (revenue share, flat fee, or both). Clean exit terms but may feel unequal.
Document explicitly:
- Percentage ownership for each party
- What "ownership" means practically
- How ownership percentage affects decisions
- Whether ownership can change over time
Brand assets
Question to answer: Who controls show branding and accounts?
Include in agreement:
- Show name ownership and trademark rights
- Domain name ownership
- Social media account control
- Podcast hosting platform ownership
- Email list ownership
Practical approach: One person holds administrative control of accounts; both have access credentials documented somewhere secure. If one party leaves, administrative control transfers per exit terms.
Episode content ownership
Question to answer: What happens to episodes if partnership ends?
Options:
- All content remains available under show name
- Content ownership follows show ownership
- Each party can use clips featuring their own voice
- Neither party can use content without other's permission
Recommended approach: Episodes remain public under show ownership. Both parties retain rights to reference and discuss their participation. Neither can claim exclusive ownership of collaborative content.
Roles and Responsibilities
Task division
Question to answer: Who does what?
Common tasks to assign:
- Episode planning and topic selection
- Research and preparation
- Recording setup and hosting
- Audio editing and production
- Show notes and descriptions
- Publishing and distribution
- Social media and promotion
- Guest booking and communication
- Email list management
- Analytics review and reporting
- Financial administration
- Sponsorship outreach
- Community management
Document for each task:
- Primary responsible party
- Backup if primary unavailable
- Time expectation (hours/week)
- Quality standards expected
Schedule commitments
Question to answer: What availability is expected?
Include:
- Recording schedule (day, time, frequency)
- How far in advance recordings are scheduled
- Minimum recording sessions per month
- Notice required for unavailability
- Maximum consecutive missed sessions before concern
- Vacation and holiday expectations
Quality standards
Question to answer: What constitutes acceptable work?
Address:
- Preparation expectations before recording
- Technical quality minimums
- Communication response time expectations
- Behavior representing the show
- Content topics that are off-limits or require discussion
Financial Terms
Revenue sharing
Question to answer: How is money divided?
Sponsorship and advertising revenue:
- Split percentage (common: 50/50 or proportional to ownership)
- Who negotiates and manages sponsor relationships
- Approval process for accepting sponsors
- When revenue is distributed
Direct listener support (Patreon, memberships):
- Split percentage
- Who manages the platform
- How subscriber communication is handled
Product revenue (merchandise, courses):
- Depends on who creates the product
- Split for show-branded products
- Individual ownership of personal products
Expense handling
Question to answer: How are costs covered?
Common expenses:
- Hosting platform fees
- Equipment and software
- Marketing and promotion
- Travel for recordings or events
- Professional services (editing, design)
Options:
- Split 50/50 regardless of ownership
- Split proportional to ownership
- One party covers, reimbursed from revenue
- Each covers their own equipment, share common costs
Require agreement before spending: Set a threshold above which expenses require both parties' approval.
Financial transparency
Question to answer: How do partners stay informed?
Include:
- Access to all financial accounts
- Regular reporting schedule (monthly, quarterly)
- Tax document responsibilities
- Year-end financial summary requirements
Decision-Making Structure
Day-to-day decisions
Examples: Episode topics, recording schedules, minor edits, routine social posts.
Common approach: Either party can make day-to-day decisions independently. Inform the other party when relevant but don't require approval.
Significant decisions
Examples: New platforms, major format changes, substantial expenses, new recurring commitments.
Common approach: Both parties must agree. One "no" prevents action. Discuss until consensus or table the decision.
Major decisions
Examples: Selling the show, adding new hosts, ending the show, legal actions.
Common approach: Both parties must agree with formal documentation. Allow time for consideration before finalizing.
Breaking deadlock
When partners can't agree on significant decisions:
Options:
- Tabling the decision for a defined period
- Seeking outside mediator input
- Primary owner decides (if ownership is unequal)
- Random selection (seriously—removes ego from deadlocks)
Document: The specific process for resolving disagreement without destroying the partnership.
Exit and Dissolution Terms
Voluntary exit by one partner
Question to answer: What if one person wants to leave?
Include:
- Notice period required (common: 30-90 days)
- Transition responsibilities during notice
- Whether remaining partner can continue the show
- What departing partner receives (buyout, ongoing revenue share, nothing)
- Guest appearances or references after departure
Common approach: Departing partner gives notice, completes transition, and relinquishes show rights. Remaining partner continues independently. Departing partner receives revenue share from episodes featuring their voice for a defined period (6-12 months) or a one-time buyout.
Voluntary dissolution (both want to end)
Question to answer: What if both partners want to stop?
Include:
- Notice to audience and stakeholders
- Final episode plans
- Asset division (remaining revenue, accounts, content)
- Whether either can restart something similar
- Archive handling (keep available or remove)
Forced exit situations
Question to answer: What justifies removing a partner?
Possible triggers:
- Extended absence without communication (define threshold)
- Consistent failure to fulfill responsibilities
- Actions that damage show reputation
- Breach of agreement terms
- Legal issues affecting the show
Process: Define steps before forced removal—warnings, opportunity to cure, final decision process. Make this difficult enough to prevent abuse but possible when necessary.
Non-compete and continuation
Question to answer: What can ex-partners do afterward?
Options:
- No restrictions—either can start competing shows immediately
- Non-compete period (6-12 months of no directly competing shows)
- No restriction on topics but can't use shared branding
- Continuing partner has first right to retain show name/brand
Dispute Resolution
Internal resolution first
Before external help:
- Direct conversation between partners
- Written documentation of disagreement
- Defined period for attempted resolution (30 days)
Mediation
If direct resolution fails:
- Agree on neutral mediator (industry professional, mutual contact)
- Each party presents position
- Mediator facilitates compromise
- Non-binding unless both agree to outcome
Arbitration or legal action
Last resort:
- Binding arbitration typically preferred over court
- Specify arbitration organization if using
- Define which party covers costs (loser pays, split, proportional to ownership)
Recommendation: Most podcast disputes don't warrant legal action. Design agreement to resolve issues before this point.
Agreement Template Framework
Below is a framework for creating your own agreement. Customize to your situation.
PODCAST CO-HOST AGREEMENT
Effective Date: [Date]
Show Name: [Podcast Name]
Parties:
- [Name 1], [Contact Info]
- [Name 2], [Contact Info]
1. OWNERSHIP
1.1 The Show is owned [equally / specify percentage] by the Parties.
1.2 Brand assets including [list: domain, accounts, etc.] are held by [Party] with access provided to both Parties.
1.3 Episode content is owned by the Show. Both Parties retain rights to reference their participation.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 [Party 1] is primarily responsible for: [list tasks]
2.2 [Party 2] is primarily responsible for: [list tasks]
2.3 Recording schedule: [frequency, typical day/time]
2.4 Notice for unavailability: [days required]
3. FINANCIAL TERMS
3.1 Revenue split: [percentage split for each revenue type]
3.2 Expenses: [how handled]
3.3 Approval threshold: Expenses over $[amount] require both Parties' approval.
3.4 Reporting: [frequency and format]
4. DECISION-MAKING
4.1 Day-to-day decisions: Either Party may make independently.
4.2 Significant decisions: Require both Parties' agreement.
4.3 Deadlock resolution: [process]
5. TERM AND EXIT
5.1 This Agreement continues until terminated by either Party.
5.2 Voluntary exit notice: [days]
5.3 Upon one Party's exit: [continuation terms, buyout/revenue share terms]
5.4 Upon dissolution: [asset division process]
5.5 Forced exit triggers: [list circumstances and process]
6. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
6.1 Parties will attempt direct resolution for [days] before seeking external help.
6.2 If unresolved, Parties will seek mediation from [neutral party or process].
6.3 Legal action, if necessary, will proceed through [arbitration/jurisdiction].
7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 This Agreement may be modified by written consent of both Parties.
7.2 This Agreement is governed by the laws of [state/country].
Signatures:
___________________________ Date: ___________ [Name 1]
___________________________ Date: ___________ [Name 2]
FAQ
Do we really need a written agreement for a hobby podcast?
For casual shows with no revenue expectations, verbal understanding may suffice. However, even hobby podcasts can grow unexpectedly. A simple one-page agreement covering ownership and exit terms costs nothing and prevents future complications.
Should we get a lawyer to draft this?
For most podcast partnerships, a self-drafted agreement based on clear discussion is sufficient. If significant money is involved, the show is part of larger business operations, or parties have complex existing relationships, legal review provides additional protection.
What if my co-host refuses to sign an agreement?
This is itself informative. Partners who resist clarity may be avoiding accountability. Have a conversation about their concerns. If they won't commit to documented terms, consider whether this partnership is sustainable long-term.
Can we change the agreement later?
Yes—include modification language. As the show evolves, terms may need adjustment. Both parties must agree to changes, which should be documented in writing (even a simple email confirmation).
What if one partner contributed more to starting the show?
Reflect this in ownership percentages or compensation terms. The partner who invested more startup effort or capital may warrant greater ownership or priority buyout rights. Document the reasoning so future disputes can reference the logic.
Ready to Formalize Your Co-Host Partnership?
A written agreement protects both partners equally and makes your podcast partnership stronger by creating clarity where ambiguity could cause problems. Use this framework as a starting point, customize for your specific situation, and have honest conversations about each term.
The best time to create an agreement is before you need one. Once conflicts arise, negotiating terms becomes charged with emotion. Start your co-hosted show on solid footing with documented understanding.
Try PodRewind free and build your co-hosted archive on a foundation of clear partnership terms.