Instant Classics
Instant Classics, hosted by classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins, explores ancient history and its modern relevance. The show has 66 episodes on a weekly cadence, with typical episodes running about 54 minutes. Estimated downloads are 20,000 to 50,000 per episode, with an estimated rate of $360 to $1,250 per host-read mid-roll.
Two respected voices make ancient history feel instantly relevant to general listeners
- Weekly episodes of about 54 minutes give sponsors a steady, long-running placement.
- Apple Podcasts shows 225 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, a strong sign of an engaged listenership.
- Book club and Odyssey content suit publishers, education brands and culture-focused products.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- co-hosted banter, interview, solo monologue, narrative
- Tone
- erudite, accessible
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 50 to 60 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed; the description links to a book club site (exploringtheodyssey.com) rather than a funding link.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles cover Roman history, war and empire (for example 'USA 250: I'm Spartacus!'), with no explicit flag set in the feed.
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 | feeds.megaphone.fm/IMP2568764140 |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1831429397 |
| RSS feed | feeds.megaphone.fm/IMP2568764140 |
Benchmark score: 84 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Cancel Culture | 2026-10-15 | 52 min |
| What did Roman emperors really look like? | 2026-10-08 | 59 min |
| The Bayeux Tapestry: Britain’s Lost Latin masterpiece | 2026-10-01 | 56 min |
| Classic Chats: Daniel Mendelsohn on translating the Odyssey | 2026-09-24 | 60 min |
| How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World | 2026-09-17 | 60 min |
| How Homer's Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World | 2026-09-10 | 53 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
Join world-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins for Instant Classics — the weekly podcast that proves ancient history is still relevant. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required. Discover The Odyssey and join the book club at: https://www.exploringtheodyssey.com
About Instant Classics
Instant Classics is a weekly podcast hosted by classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins. Each episode, usually around 54 minutes long, pairs ancient stories with modern questions, from Roman emperors to Homer's Odyssey. The feed lists 66 episodes, and the show's description links to a companion Odyssey book club at exploringtheodyssey.com.
Apple Podcasts shows 225 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars, which suggests a loyal listenership. Audience size is an estimate rather than a published figure: we estimate 20,000 to 50,000 downloads per episode, with a probable mix of UK and US listeners and a skew toward older adults. No sponsors appear in the feed, so the show is an unsponsored, host-led series.
A host-read mid-roll would typically be priced at an estimated $360 to $1,250 per episode, based on our estimated download range. The show suits publishers, education providers and premium culture brands seeking a thoughtful, long-form audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Instant Classics can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Instant Classics
How much does Instant Classics charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll would be roughly $360 to $1,250. Final pricing should be confirmed with the show's publisher.
What is Instant Classics about?
Instant Classics is a weekly podcast hosted by Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins that explores ancient history and its modern relevance, including episodes on Homer's Odyssey, Roman emperors and the classical world.
How do I contact Instant Classics about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.
Similar creators
Podcast and other creators in ancient history, ranked by score.
| Creator | Niches | Est. downloads | Median views | Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ancient Warfare Podcastpodcast | ancient historymilitary history | 5k | – | $40–200 | 91 |
Ancient History Fangirlpodcast | ancient historyhistory podcast | 15k | – | $90–620 | 85 |
Past Livespodcast | historyancient history | 5k | – | $40–200 | 85 |
The Ancient Worldpodcast | ancient historyhistory podcast | 50k | – | $360–2000 | 82 |
Mogo@mogoyoutube | ancient humansprehistory | 3k | 1.2k | $150–250 | 81 |
Literature and Historypodcast | literatureancient history | 5k | – | $40–200 | 77 |