Classical Breakdown, hosted by John Banther and produced by WETA Classical in Washington, D.C., offers interviews, deep dives and analysis on classical music. The show has 169 episodes released bi-weekly on Tuesdays, typically running about 46 minutes. Estimated downloads per episode are 1,000 to 3,000, with a suggested rate of $40 to $90 per episode.
Engaged classical listeners in a high-production, long-running public media show
- 169 episodes since 2019 with a 4.7 average rating from 252 Apple Podcasts reviews
- Episodes average about 46 minutes, giving room for a host-read mid-roll
- Produced by WETA Classical, a Washington public media organization with a classical listener base
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, solo monologue, co-hosted discussion
- Tone
- informative, warm
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 35 to 50 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- WETA
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed; the website points sponsorship inquiries to WETA's corporate sponsorship department.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles cover composers, operas and music history with no explicit flags; one title references composers lost to tyranny, handled as historical content.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | classicalbreakdown.org |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1477660645 |
| RSS feed | weta-rss.streamguys1.com/classicalbreakdown/clas… |
Benchmark score: 67 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Snoopy and the Gang come to life in Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Peanuts Gal | 2026-10-13 | 35 min |
| William Schuman: The composer that shaped Juilliard, the Lincoln Cente | 2026-09-29 | 54 min |
| What is a Harp with Nadia Pessoa: Ancient origins to modern innovation | 2026-09-15 | 38 min |
| Bonus! A performance of Handel's Water Music | 2026-09-08 | 49 min |
| Handel's Water Music; a Kings bid to lift his reputation and one smell | 2026-09-01 | 48 min |
| Season 7 Recommended Summer Listening! | 2026-06-23 | 33 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 6 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.
John Banther takes classical music fans behind the scenes with interviews, deep dives, and analysis. Episodes released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Produced by WETA Classical in Washington, D.C.
About Classical Breakdown
Classical Breakdown is a podcast hosted by John Banther and produced by WETA Classical in Washington, D.C. According to the show's website, it offers interviews, deep dives and analysis that take classical music fans behind the scenes, with a focus on composers, operas and musical history. The feed lists 169 episodes released bi-weekly on Tuesdays, with a median length of about 46 minutes.
Apple Podcasts shows 252 ratings with a 4.7 average, which places the show in an estimated band of 1,000 to 3,000 downloads per episode. Listeners are likely to be classical music enthusiasts, with an older skew and a mostly US base; these audience figures are estimates, not measured data. The feed and website show no current sponsors beyond WETA's own corporate sponsorship program.
A host-read mid-roll would sit in the range of $40 to $90 per episode based on estimated downloads. That budget suits arts organizations, music education providers and premium audio brands that want to reach a dedicated classical audience. Sponsors should contact WETA's corporate sponsorship department, as the show's website directs.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Classical Breakdown can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Classical Breakdown
How much does Classical Breakdown charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on estimated downloads of 1,000 to 3,000 per episode, a host-read mid-roll would fall between $40 and $90 per episode. Final pricing depends on the sponsorship terms.
What is Classical Breakdown about?
Classical Breakdown is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by John Banther and produced by WETA Classical. It covers classical composers, operas and music history through interviews and analysis.
How do I contact Classical Breakdown about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked. WETA's corporate sponsorship department also handles underwriting inquiries.
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