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Why Ant & Dec’s Move to Online Entertainment Channels is a Blueprint for Legacy Acts

UUnknown

2026-02-14

9 min read

Ant & Dec’s Belta Box shows legacy acts how to own audiences. Learn a 90‑day roadmap for musicians and DJs to launch podcasts, memberships, and hybrid shows.

Hook: If you’re a legacy act scrambling for relevance, Ant & Dec just handed you a playbook

Struggling to reach fans the way you did on TV or in clubs? Worried about unreliable ticketing, short-lived platform virality, or fading control over your brand? Ant & Dec’s January 2026 pivot — launching a new digital entertainment hub and their first podcast, Hanging Out, as part of the Belta Box channel — is a live case study in how established performers can stop renting attention and start owning it.

Why this matters in 2026: a moment when owned channels win

Platform deals and algorithm shifts dominated 2024–25. Early 2026 shows an industry recalibrating: big broadcasters are negotiating directly with platforms (see BBC talks with YouTube), creators are consolidating audiences into owned media, and audiences expect behind-the-scenes access and interactivity. For legacy TV talent, musicians, and DJs, that means two truths:

Attention is fractured — fans live across TikTok, YouTube, podcasts, and private communities.
Ownership is power — owning your distribution (email list, membership, podcast RSS, direct-ticketing) reduces risk and increases monetization options.

Brief case: Ant & Dec’s Belta Box

In January 2026 Ant & Dec announced Belta Box, a digital channel hosting classic clips, new formats and a podcast. Declan Donnelly summed up the simple idea: “We asked our audience if we did a podcast what they would like it to be about, and they said 'we just want you guys to hang out.'” That line is instructive: their pivot is audience-led, low-friction, and built around owned distribution.

"Ant & I don't get to hang out as much as we used to, so it's perfect for us." — Declan Donnelly, Jan 2026

What legacy acts (TV hosts, musicians, DJs) can learn from this move

Ant & Dec’s strategy translates into a repeatable blueprint for creative brands that want sustainable careers beyond traditional channels. Here are the core lessons, and how to apply them to music and DJ careers.

1. Build an owned hub — then use platforms to feed it

Why it works: Your owned hub (website + newsletter + membership + podcast RSS) is a single source of truth. Algorithms change; your list doesn’t. Ant & Dec use Belta Box as a branded home and let platform feeds (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, podcast platforms) funnel people back to it.

How musicians/DJs do it:

Create a central landing page (yourname.com/hub) that houses episodes, upcoming shows, merch, and mailing list sign-up.
Use short-form clips on TikTok/Instagram to tease long-form content available exclusively (or earlier) to subscribers.
Collect email + phone (SMS) opt-ins at every touchpoint — ticket sales, merch checkouts, live streams. For pitching channel strategy and platform placement, see how to pitch your channel to YouTube.

2. Start with conversation — then layer formats

Ant & Dec opted for a simple, conversational podcast because it matched audience demand. For artists, start with what’s easiest to produce that gives fans real access — studio chats, Q&As, playlist walkthroughs — then layer in higher-production formats.

Phase 1: Weekly audio/video podcast — casual, recorded in a kitchen or green room.
Phase 2: Repurposed clips — 30–60s TikTok/YouTube Shorts from each episode.
Phase 3: Premium exclusives — early-access episodes, private livestreams, VIP backstage experiences for members.

3. Monetize in layers, not all at once

Why layered monetization wins: It diversifies revenue and keeps core content accessible, protecting reach while monetizing superfans.

Recommended revenue stack:

Advertising & host-read sponsorships on the podcast (renewable deals tied to audience growth).
Memberships/subscriptions (Patreon, Memberful, Bandcamp Fan Support) offering exclusive mixes, early tickets, private episodes.
Commerce — limited-run merch, vinyl, signed items promoted via episodes.
Paid live streams and hybrid events — ticketed online listening parties or DJ sets.
Affiliate ticketing & direct-to-fan ticket sales using Stripe or ticketing partners to avoid high marketplace fees.

4. Turn every long piece into a content pipeline

One recorded podcast episode should produce:

Full episode (audio + video) on your hub and major platforms.
3–5 short clips (15–60s) optimized for TikTok and Instagram.
Show notes with timestamps and a transcript for SEO.
An email blast with a personal note and CTA to buy tickets or become a member.

Practical, technical how‑tos: launching your owned channel and podcast

Below is an actionable checklist and tech stack that mirrors what established acts can implement quickly.

Minimum viable kit — audio & video (budget to pro)

Microphone: Dynamic for noisy rooms (Shure SM7B) or condenser for quiet spaces (Rode NT1-A).
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or Audient iD4 for two mics.
Recorder: Zoom H6 for remote flexibility.
Camera: Use a good mirrorless (Sony A6400) or a high-quality smartphone with a capture card.
Software: OBS Studio for livestreaming; Descript for editing, clipping and AI transcripts; Reaper or Audacity for deep audio edits.
Hosting: Podcast host (Libsyn, Transistor or Anchor/Spotify) + YouTube / Vimeo for video. Use a reliable CDN for your hub assets.

For hands-on gear recommendations and compact studio picks see our Hands‑On Review: Compact Home Studio Kits for Creators (2026), and if you’re starting on a budget a budget vlogging kit will cover most needs.

Distribution & SEO — make your podcast discoverable

Submit RSS to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and regional directories.
Publish full transcripts and timestamps on episode pages to capture search intent and long-tail keywords — see Teach Discoverability for how authority and transcripts help search and social signals.
Use structured data (PodcastEpisode schema) to improve SERP appearance.
Optimize episode titles for intent and keywords: include guest name or theme + “Hanging Out” style casual phrase.

Production workflow — a 4-step pipeline

Record long-form episode (60–90 minutes) — aim for conversational authenticity.
Edit to a publishable long version (45–75 min). Run noise reduction and level-matching.
Create 3–5 short clips using Descript or Headliner with captions and CTAs — Descript’s AI clipping and transcript features are covered in our piece on AI summarization and production workflows.
Publish: long episode on platforms, clips on social, and detailed show notes + transcript on hub.

Monetization playbook with examples

Ant & Dec’s model (free podcast + clips + a branded hub) positions them to monetize via sponsorships, memberships, and content licensing. Musicians and DJs can use nearly identical tactics.

Sponsorships & ads

Host-read podcast ads outperform programmatic for trust and conversion. Start with short trials and report performance by click-throughs or promo codes. For turning shows into sponsor ROI and activation plans, see the Activation Playbook 2026.

Memberships & exclusive content

Offer multi-tier memberships: early access, exclusive mixes, monthly AMA sessions, stripped-down acoustic sessions or VIP chat rooms. Anchor the highest tier to a physical or experiential reward (exclusive vinyl, a meet-and-greet, or private livestream). For archival and master-storage workflow on subscription shows, consult Archiving Master Recordings for Subscription Shows.

Live-ticketing & hybrid shows

Sell hybrid tickets that include both a local live slot and a virtual stream. Use your hub to issue unique access codes and reduce reliance on third-party marketplaces. Partner with platforms that allow white-label paywalls or integrate Stripe for direct payments.

Content licensing & clip libraries

As Ant & Dec feed classic TV clips into Belta Box, musicians can monetize catalog material by repackaging archival performances, exclusive rehearsal footage, or commentary tracks for superfans or licensing to third parties.

Audience growth tactics (practical, measurable)

Basic recruitment funnel:

Top-of-funnel: short-form social clips optimized for discovery.
Mid-funnel: full episodes with CTAs to join mailing list or membership.
Bottom-of-funnel: members-only content and ticket discounts to convert paying fans.

Metrics to track

Listener downloads & retention rate (podcast retention at 15/30/60 minutes).
Short-form engagement (completion rate, shares, saves).
Conversion to owned list (email/SMS) and membership conversion rate.
Revenue by stream (ads, memberships, merch, live ticketing).

90‑day starter roadmap — weekly actions

Week 1: Define brand playbook, hub URL, and membership tiers; set up essential tech.
Week 2: Record 3 pilot episodes; build a publishing template and show notes format.
Week 3: Launch hub with first episode, collect emails, publish social teaser clips.
Week 4–6: Iterate based on analytics, reach out to first sponsors, open a low-cost membership tier.
Week 7–12: Introduce hybrid ticketed event, test merchandise drop, and run a subscriber acquisition campaign (ads + collaborations).

Advanced strategies: partnerships, licensing, and AI

Two 2026 developments to leverage:

Strategic platform partnerships: With broadcasters like the BBC negotiating direct deals with YouTube, legacy acts should explore co-productions that give superior distribution (and potential licensing income) while keeping ownership of IP.
AI-assisted production: AI now speeds transcription, clipping and localization. Use AI to auto-generate multilingual subtitles, select high-performing clip candidates, and produce show summaries for newsletters — and consider the implications of guided AI tools covered in What Marketers Need to Know About Guided AI Learning Tools.

Potential pitfalls and how to avoid them

Common mistakes:

Relying on one platform. Fix: Diversify and make every platform feed back to your owned hub.
Overproducing before finding the format. Fix: Test conversational formats first, then scale production on proven shows.
Ignoring community. Fix: Spend as much time in comment threads, DMs, and member chats as you do on production.

Final checklist before launch

Hub live with email/SMS capture.
RSS feed submitted to major podcast directories.
At least three episodes recorded and edited.
Short-form clip plan and automation tools set up.
Membership tiers and first exclusive offer defined.

Why this strategy endures

Ant & Dec’s move is simple: they answered direct fan demand, created a branded home, and used platforms as amplifiers. That approach solves the key pain points for legacy acts in 2026 — fragmented attention, unreliable ticketing, and diminishing control over brand monetization. For musicians and DJs, the same principles create longevity: build owned infrastructure, serve superfans with layered monetization, and keep your content funnel full of repurposed assets that drive both discovery and revenue.

Actionable takeaways

Launch an owned hub this quarter and centralize links, episodes and ticketing.
Start a low-cost conversational podcast or livestream series to test resonance.
Automate a repurposing pipeline to convert every long show into short clips and newsletter content.
Layer monetization: ads + memberships + direct tickets + merch.
Use AI for transcripts, clipping and global captions — speed beats perfect.

Call to action

Ready to turn your legacy into a living owned brand like Ant & Dec? Start your hub today: map your 90‑day roadmap, set up your first three episodes, and pick one monetization tier to launch. If you want a hands-on checklist and an editable 90‑day plan tailored for musicians or DJs, grab our free blueprint at scene.live/owned-hub — and turn your next content pivot into a revenue engine.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.