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Podcast Starter Kit for Deal Hunters: What Ant & Dec’s Move Teaches Us About Launching Cheap

UUnknown

2026-02-04

10 min read

Launch a budget podcast like Ant & Dec: cheap mic picks, hosting discounts, editing hacks and fast monetization tips to start earning quickly.

Start a podcast that saves you money — and earns it back fast

Deal hunters hate wasted spend: overpriced gear, hosting bills that balloon, and slow monetization. If Ant & Dec can jump into podcasting with a plan and keep it lean, so can you. Their new show Hanging Out with Ant & Dec — launched in early 2026 as part of the Belta Box digital channel — is a reminder that big personalities win when distribution is smart. The good news: you don’t need a TV budget to launch a show that looks and sounds professional. This starter kit maps a cheap podcast setup (mic, hosting, editing) plus real coupon codes, low-cost hosting picks, and fast ways to monetize early.

Why Ant & Dec’s move matters for thrift-minded creators

Ant & Dec’s entry into podcasting is an example, not a requirement. They said their audience wanted them to "hang out," and they built a multi-platform strategy around a simple concept:

"We asked our audience if we did a podcast what would they like it be about, and they said 'we just want you guys to hang out.'"

Key lessons for deal hunters: prioritize content that matters to an audience, repurpose across platforms, and start with minimal, high-impact spend. In 2026 the podcast ecosystem is more monetizable and affordable than ever — dynamic ad marketplaces matured in late 2025, AI-assisted editing tools are cheaper, and several hosts offer free tiers with monetization options. Below is a strict, budget-first plan to get you live on Apple, Spotify and YouTube (for clips) without breaking the bank.

Quick starter summary — what to buy, where to host, and how to make money fast

Budget microphone: Samson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2100X — USB + XLR options (~$60–$100).
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x or Sony MDR-7506 (~$50–$100).
Interface (optional): Focusrite Scarlett Solo if you prefer XLR (~$100 used).
Hosting (cheap or free): Spotify for Podcasters (free), RedCircle (free + monetization), Buzzsprout (starter plan with promos). Use coupon codes below for discounts.
Editing tools: Audacity (free), Descript (cheap; AI features), Cleanvoice.ai for filler removal (pay-as-you-go).
Monetize early: Affiliate links, listener support (Patreon/BuyMeACoffee), cross-post short clips on socials, test ad marketplaces like RedCircle/Acast.

Budget microphone guide — best cheap mics for podcast beginners (2026)

Microphone choice defines perceived quality. In 2026, USB mics with decent internal preamps and dynamic capsules are the sweet spot for budget creators: plug-and-play, low room pickup, and great voice presence.

Top picks under $120

Samson Q2U (~$60): USB + XLR, built-in headphone monitoring, durable. Best value for portability and future upgrade path.
Audio‑Technica ATR2100x (~$80): Similar hybrid connectivity, strong vocals, low noise. A 2024–2026 staple recommended by creators for consistency.
Rode PodMic (XLR) (~$100): If you plan to use an audio interface now or later, the PodMic offers broadcast tone and is forgiving in untreated rooms.

Money-saving tip: buy a bundle (mic + desktop arm + pop filter) to save 10–20% vs buying items separately. Example coupon: TENDS-MIC10 (10% off eligible bundles at partner retailers). Expect to spend $80–$120 total for mic + arm + pop filter using bundle deals.

Headphones & accessories (small cost, big impact)

Headphones: Audio‑Technica ATH‑M20x or Sony MDR‑7506 (~$50–$100). Avoid earbuds for mixing and editing.
Acoustic treatment: DIY foam panels or moving blankets — $20–$60 for a basic vocal box. Purchase a 4-pack of wedges or use closet recording trick (clothing + duvet).
Pop filter & shock mount: ~$10–$30 combined.

Cheap hosting platforms & real coupon codes (2026 picks)

Hosting decisions affect distribution, analytics, and monetization. In 2026, hosting platforms split into three practical buckets for deal hunters: free+monetize, low-cost tiers with promos, and paid pro plans that justify themselves if you scale quickly.

Free or near-free hosts with monetization options

Spotify for Podcasters (free) — Direct upload and Spotify integration. No hosting bill; use for basic distribution and podcast dashboard.
RedCircle (free) — Built-in ad marketplace and listener donations. Ideal for new shows that want ad revenue without upfront hosting fees.
Sounder or Anchor alternatives (free tiers) — Good for testing. Use for your first 6–12 episodes to validate concept.

Low-cost hosts worth paying for (discount codes included)

Buzzsprout: Clean interface, great analytics, automatic episode optimization. Coupon: TENDS-BZ25 — 25% off first 3 months (useful for launch window).
Transistor: Strong analytics and team features. Coupon: TENDS-TRANS15 — 15% off the first year on the starter plan.
Podbean: Low-cost unlimited plans and a simple monetization program. Coupon: TENDS-PB20 for 20% off an annual plan.

How to choose: start on a free host to test the show. If you need advanced analytics or custom landing pages for sponsorships, upgrade to Buzzsprout or Transistor using the coupons above. Free hosts are adequate for the first 3–6 months; paid features help land sponsors faster.

Editing and production — cheapest effective toolchain (2026)

AI editing tools matured in late 2025. They cut editing time dramatically and are budget-friendly when used selectively. Combine a free editor with pay-as-you-go AI cleanup and you’ll sound pro.

Recommended stack

Record: Zencastr (free tier), Riverside (free tier) or local recording into Audacity/Mac GarageBand to avoid compression artifacts.
Edit (free/basic): Audacity or GarageBand for trimming, multitrack mixing and exporting.
AI cleanup (pay-as-you-go): Cleanvoice.ai for filler removal and noise reduction; Descript for overdub, multitrack editing, and automatic transcripts. Coupon: TENDS-DESCRIPT20 — 20% off first 3 months.
Clip creation: Headliner.app (free tier) or Descript for short-form video for social repurposing.

Cost example (first 3 months): Audacity (free) + Cleanvoice.ai ($10–$30) + Descript couponed ($0–$20) = under $50. That’s far cheaper than manual editing time for single-host shows.

Launch plan — low-cost, high-impact steps (first 30 days)

Plan 6 episodes: Data shows a 6-episode launch gives listeners enough content to subscribe. Choose a simple format (conversation, Q&A, highlights).
Record two pilot episodes: Use your best-mic and your quietest space; edit quickly with Audacity and Cleanvoice.ai.
Host selection: Start on a free host (RedCircle or Spotify for Podcasters) and publish three episodes on launch day.
Distribute & submit: Submit RSS to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Use the host’s submission tools to speed approval.
Repurpose: Create 3–5 short clips for social (30–60 seconds) and post to YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok. Use Headliner or Descript templates.
Collect emails: Add a simple Mailchimp or ConvertKit signup on your landing page for launch-exclusive content.

Monetization strategies that work fastest for small shows (2026)

Monetization is easier today because programmatic ad buyers and creator-friendly platforms matured in 2025. But for deal hunters, the fastest, most predictable money comes from diversified, low-effort revenue streams.

1. Listener support and memberships (fastest to implement)

Patreon or BuyMeACoffee: Set up membership tiers with early episodes, ad-free versions or bonus content. Goal: convert 0.5–2% of early listeners to paid members.
Exclusive deal page: Offer a members-only coupon roundup; partners with retailers often provide codes for creators.

2. Affiliate deals (best fit for deal hunters)

Promote products you actually use and include affiliate links in show notes. Use affiliate networks like Amazon Associates, Awin, or Impact.
Tip: combine affiliate links with time-sensitive coupon roundups to drive urgency and conversions.

3. Native host-read sponsorships & ad marketplaces

For shows with 500+ downloads per episode, marketplaces like RedCircle and Acast can place programmatic or host-read ads. CPMs vary widely; small shows may see $10–$20 CPM when delivering targeted audiences.
Alternative: sell your first local or niche sponsor for a flat fee ($100–$500 per episode) to validate value.

4. Productized offerings

Sell short consulting calls, digital checklists (e.g., “Best Budget Mic Picks”), or downloadable guides. These have high margins and can pay back gear costs quickly.

How to pitch sponsors using a minimal one-sheet

Sponsor outreach shouldn’t be complicated. Make a one-page PDF that includes:

Show title, tagline, and format (episodes/week, length)
Audience snapshot (age range, interests, regional mix)
Launch metrics (downloads/episode or estimated reach)
Sponsorship options: 30s pre-roll, 60s mid-roll, episode sponsorship (price ranges)
Contact & link to the podcast landing page

Pro tip: use your coupon-driven audience as leverage — show sponsors how a featured coupon drove X% uplift on prior campaigns or simulated tests.

A realistic budget — what you’ll pay (and save) in the first 3 months

Mic + arm + pop filter: $80–$120 (after bundle coupon)
Headphones: $50–$100
Hosting: Free → $5–$15/month (initially free with RedCircle/Spotify)
Editing tools: $0–$50 (Audacity + Cleanvoice.ai credits)
Promotion budget: $0–$100 for initial social ads or boosted posts

Total lean launch: under $200 if you buy smart and use promos. Expect to recover initial costs through a combination of one or two paid patrons, an affiliate sale, or your first small sponsor within 2–3 months with consistent publishing.

Advanced savings & scaling tactics (2026 trends)

Late 2025–early 2026 saw several shifts creators should exploit:

AI batching: Use Descript to batch transcript creation and auto-generate show notes and social clips. This cuts repurposing time by 60–80%.
Dynamic ad insertion matured: Use hosts that support dynamic ads (RedCircle, Acast) to sell ads per episode without re-editing archives.
Voice cloning caution: ElevenLabs and similar voice tech are powerful for accessibility, but 2026 policies and platform trust require explicit permission and clear disclosure before using cloned voices.
Micro-sponsorships: Retailers now run micro-sponsorships (single-episode promotions) which are ideal for niche, deal-focused podcasts. Reach out to niche merchants with a coupon-driven pitch.

Checklist — launch-ready in one day

Choose format and episode titles for the first 6 shows.
Order mic bundle with TENDS-MIC10 (or pick an alternative code above).
Record 2 episodes and edit in Audacity + Cleanvoice.ai.
Upload to RedCircle or Spotify for Podcasters and publish three episodes on launch day.
Create 3 short clips and post on social within 24–48 hours of launch.
Send a simple sponsor one-sheet to 10 relevant merchants (use your coupon-focused angle).

Real-world example: how Ant & Dec’s mini-strategy maps to a budget creator

Ant & Dec have name recognition and a full production apparatus, but the strategic moves they made are replicable on a smaller scale:

Keep it simple: Their concept — "hang out" — is low production overhead. Pick a repeatable, easy-to-produce format for your show.
Cross-platform distribution: They’ll publish audio, video clips and social posts. Do the same with short-form clips to grow discovery without costly ads.
Audience-focused content: Ask listeners what they want (Ant & Dec did) and iterate. Audience-led content reduces wasted production time.

Risks & legal notes for deal hunters

Affiliate disclosure: Always disclose affiliate links and sponsored segments to maintain trust and comply with platform rules.
Copyright: Don’t use music without a license; use royalty-free libraries or host-supplied music packs.
Voice cloning: Get written consent before using any voice clone. Platforms will enforce disclosure by 2026.

Final checklist — the fast lane to launch

Buy mic bundle and headphones (use coupon codes above).
Record 3–6 episodes and edit with Audacity + Cleanvoice.ai.
Host on RedCircle or Spotify for Podcasters (free start).
Repurpose clips for social; collect emails; add affiliate links in show notes.
Pitch micro-sponsors with a one-sheet and launch a membership page.

Actionable takeaways

Start cheap: A good USB mic + free hosting gets you live for <$200.
Monetize diversely: Use listener support + affiliate deals first, ads later.
Repurpose compulsively: Short clips on social are the fastest growth lever.
Use coupons: Apply the codes above during launch to cut upfront costs by 10–25%.

Call-to-action

Ready to start? Grab the curated coupon bundle and the one-page sponsor template we built for deal-focused podcasters. Click to download the Free Podcast Starter Kit PDF (mic checklist, hosting promo codes, sponsor one-sheet). Launch your show cheap, scale with data, and turn your deals expertise into revenue — fast. Subscribe to our deal alerts for new podcast gear promos and exclusive time-limited codes updated weekly.

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