Darknet Diaries Verified Sponsors, Mid-Roll Ad Rates & 3x-Renewal ROI Ledger
Darknet Diaries (Jack Rhysider) reaches an estimated 310,000 high-intent listeners/readers per release in Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing & InfoSec. With an effective benchmark CPM of $64 and an estimated $19,840 host-read mid-roll placement cost, 12 brands have renewed 3 or more times.
| Brand | Show / Publication | Renewal Badge | ROI Score | Slot & Timestamp | Vanity URL & Code | Est. Spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN |
Darknet Diaries
Podcast
|
15x RENEWED • PROVEN ROI | 100/100 | Mid-Roll Host-Read (75s) (00:22:00 - 00:23:15) | expressvpn.com/darknet • Code: DARKNET | $297,600 ($64 CPM) |
| Vanta |
Darknet Diaries
Podcast
|
10x RENEWED • PROVEN ROI | 100/100 | Mid-Roll Host-Read (60s) (00:18:20 - 00:19:20) | vanta.com/darknet • Code: DARKNET | $198,400 ($64 CPM) |
Subject: ExpressVPN x Tech & Founder Weekly — Saw your 15x renewal on Darknet Diaries ($26 CPM 3-Flight Pilot) Hi ExpressVPN Partnerships Team (Head of YouTube & Podcast Buying), I track verified sponsorship renewals across Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing & InfoSec via SponsorRadar, and noticed ExpressVPN has run 15 verified flights on Darknet Diaries (expressvpn.com/darknet | code: DARKNET) at an estimated ~$64 CPM. Because multi-flight renewals signal strong promo-code and vanity-URL conversion with Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing & InfoSec buyers, I wanted to share an high-intent audience arbitrage opportunity with Tech & Founder Weekly: • Verified Reach: 75,000 active subscribers/listeners per release • Audience Fit: High concentration of Consumer Security decision-makers & technical buyers • De-Risked 3-Flight Pilot: 3x 60-second Host-Read Mid-Rolls + Dedicated Vanity Slug (expressvpn.com/techfounde) + Custom Promo Code • Pilot Rate: $5,742 total for 3 flights ($26 effective CPM — 15% below category benchmark of $34 CPM) • Conversion Guarantee: If your vanity URL doesn't hit your baseline click-through benchmark across the first 3 flights, we run a 4th make-good insertion free. Worth a quick 10-minute look at our Q4/Q1 attribution deck this Thursday? Best, [Your Name] Tech & Founder Weekly • Verified via SponsorRadar Intelligence
How much does ExpressVPN spend on podcast and newsletter sponsorships in 2026?
Darknet Diaries (Jack Rhysider) reaches an estimated 310,000 high-intent listeners/readers per release in Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing & InfoSec. With an effective benchmark CPM of $64 and an estimated $19,840 host-read mid-roll placement cost, 12 brands have renewed 3 or more times. Across verified placements in SponsorRadar, placements average $64 CPM with an estimated monthly category investment of $79,360.
What is the 3x-Renewal Rule for evaluating Darknet Diaries Sponsors, Ad Rates & $64 CPM Media-Kit Benchmark (2026)?
When a sponsor renews 3 or more times on the same podcast, newsletter, or YouTube channel, it confirms that promo-code redemptions and vanity URL conversions cleared the brand's CAC target.
How do I pitch or buy media based on this ledger?
Use the pre-built 3-flight pilot email template on this page to contact the partnerships team directly with verified CPM arbitrage and vanity-slug attribution.