Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo started Giggly Squad as a podcast. Now they’re getting a Netflix sitcom produced by Amy Poehler and written by Kay Cannon. That’s the Broad City playbook – build an audience on your own terms, then let Hollywood come to you.

If you’re a comedian wondering whether your Instagram following or podcast actually matters for your career, this is your answer. It does. More than ever.

What Happened with Giggly Squad

The deal was announced in late March 2026. Netflix picked up a sitcom based on Berner and DeSorbo’s dynamic, with Poehler executive producing through her Paper Kite Productions banner and Cannon (who wrote the Pitch Perfect films) attached to write.

Berner came up through stand-up and reality TV (Summer House). DeSorbo is primarily a reality TV personality and influencer. Together, their podcast built a dedicated fanbase that clearly caught Netflix’s attention.

The comparison to Broad City isn’t accidental. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer started with a web series, built an audience, and Poehler helped turn it into a Comedy Central hit. That was 2014. The path is even more accessible now.

The Audience-First Model Is Winning

Here’s what’s changed: networks and streamers used to develop shows based on scripts and pitches. They still do. But increasingly, they’re looking at who already has a proven audience.

It’s a lower-risk bet. If a comedian already has 500,000 podcast listeners or a million TikTok followers, that’s a built-in viewership base. Netflix doesn’t have to guess whether people will watch – there’s data showing they already do.

This is the same reason Andrew Schulz was able to negotiate a massive Netflix deal for his special in 2022 after self-distributing first. He proved the audience existed. The platform just had to capture it.

For comedians at every level, the takeaway is blunt: your online audience is now part of your resume. Maybe the most important part.

What This Doesn’t Mean

Let’s pump the brakes on the fantasy version of this story. Not every comedian with a podcast is getting a Netflix deal. Berner and DeSorbo had specific advantages – existing TV profiles, a media-savvy approach to branding, and the kind of audience demographics that advertisers and streamers love.

Also, a development deal isn’t a guarantee. Plenty of podcast-to-TV adaptations have been announced and never made it to air. The entertainment industry is littered with “in development” projects that quietly died.

The point isn’t that podcasting is a magic ticket. The point is that building an audience – any real, engaged audience – gives you options that didn’t exist 10 years ago.

The Practical Path for Working Comedians

You don’t need to launch a podcast tomorrow. But you do need to think about where your audience lives between shows.

Pick one platform and commit. Trying to be everywhere is a recipe for burnout and mediocre content. Figure out where your people actually hang out. For some comedians, that’s TikTok clips. For others, it’s a weekly YouTube series or an Instagram presence built on reels and stories.

Document your comedy life, don’t just post jokes. The comedians building the fastest followings right now aren’t just posting set clips. They’re sharing the process – writing sessions, green room moments, road stories, honest takes on the industry. People connect with the person behind the punchline.

Consistency beats virality. One viral clip might get you a spike in followers. Showing up regularly – even with modest numbers – builds the kind of engaged audience that actually translates into ticket sales, merch revenue, and yes, development deals.

Use your live shows to grow your online audience. Every time you perform, you’re in front of people who already like you. Tell them where to find you online. It sounds basic, but most comedians don’t do it. A simple “I’m on Instagram at…” before your closer takes three seconds and compounds over time.

How Venues Fit Into This

Smart venue operators are already thinking about this from the other side. Booking a comedian with a strong online following means built-in promotion for your show. Their audience becomes your audience for that night.

This cuts both ways, though. Comedians with big followings have more leverage on rates and terms. Venues that want to attract these acts need to offer more than just stage time – good production, professional recording setups, and social media-friendly environments matter.

Some venues are getting creative: offering to film and produce clips for comedians, then sharing the content on the venue’s own channels. It’s a win-win. The comedian gets professional content, and the venue gets tagged in posts that reach the comedian’s audience.

Platforms like Open Comedy make it easier to connect comedians and venues directly, cutting through the noise of traditional booking. When both sides can see each other’s profiles, audiences, and track records, better matches happen naturally.

The Bigger Shift Nobody’s Talking About

What the Giggly Squad deal really signals is that the comedy industry’s power structure is tilting. Used to be, you needed a manager, an agent, a showcase at a festival, and a lucky break to get a TV deal. Now the path can start with a microphone, a phone, and something worth saying.

That doesn’t make it easy. Building a real audience takes years of consistent effort. But the gatekeepers have less power than they used to, and comedians who own their audience own their career trajectory in a way that previous generations couldn’t.

Berner didn’t wait for permission. She built a stand-up career, grew a podcast audience, and now she’s got Amy Poehler producing her sitcom. The lesson isn’t about podcasting specifically. It’s about the fact that proving your audience exists is now the most powerful move a comedian can make.

What to Watch For

Keep an eye on whether the Giggly Squad show actually makes it to production and air. If it does well, expect a flood of similar deals – streamers scouring podcast charts and social media for the next comedy duo or personality to develop.

Also watch the stand-up special space. Vulture recently noted nine new comedy specials streaming in March 2026 alone. The volume of comedy content is enormous right now. Standing out in that crowd requires more than talent – it requires an audience that already cares about you before the special drops.

The comedians who figure out the audience-building piece early will have a massive advantage over the next five years. Everyone else will be competing for a shrinking pool of traditional opportunities.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a podcast to get a TV deal as a comedian?

A: No. A podcast is one path, but the core principle is building a provable, engaged audience. That can happen through TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, a newsletter, live touring – whatever works for you. The format matters less than the size and engagement of the audience you can point to.

Q: How many followers or listeners do I need before networks pay attention?

A: There’s no magic number. But generally, networks start noticing when you have a consistent, engaged audience in the tens of thousands or higher. Engagement rate matters more than raw follower count – 20,000 followers who actually show up is worth more than 200,000 ghost followers.

Q: Should venues prioritize booking comedians with big online followings?

A: It depends on your goals. Comedians with large followings can help sell tickets and bring attention to your venue. But don’t overlook strong performers with smaller followings – they might be your best-kept secret for building a loyal local audience. A mix of both is usually the smartest booking strategy.

Q: What’s the best platform for comedians to build an audience right now?

A: Short-form video (TikTok and Instagram Reels) is still the fastest growth channel for comedians in 2026. YouTube works well for longer content and specials. Podcasting builds deeper audience relationships but grows slower. Pick the one that fits your style and stick with it.