[jccalhoun]

Flattr never really took off but I don't know why. Patreon is taking off. Practically every podcast I listen to uses it.

One reason why ad-based is the more common model is that in the USA we are more used to ad-supported media than pay-only commercial-free? I know I have heard some podcasters say that they have gotten comments from UK listeners that it sounds weird to the UK listeners to have the host read ads. In the USA this is a common thing on radio (they will have pre-recorded radio but then have the host actually read other commercials as well).

But that is all just me guessing.