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Podcast Episode Planner Template Inspired by 'Hanging Out'

kknowledged

2026-02-12

10 min read

A ready-to-use episode planner inspired by Ant & Dec's 'Hanging Out.' Timings, segment ideas, sponsor slots and a promo checklist—downloadable.

Hook: Stop scrambling episode day — plan like a pro with a template inspired by Ant & Dec's chatty, clip-driven format

If you produce entertainment podcasts you know the pain: scattered segment ideas, last-minute sponsor reads, unclear timings, and promotion that fizzles. Inspired by the launch of Ant & Dec's Hanging Out in 2026, this article hands you a ready-to-use episode planner template built for conversational entertainment shows — with timings, segment ideas, sponsor ad slots, show notes structure and a promotion checklist so each episode ships polished and performs.

Why this planner matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 sharpened three trends that change how entertainment podcasts are planned and monetized:

Video-first podcasting: more shows publish full video episodes plus short vertical clips for TikTok, Reels and Shorts; planning for clipable moments up-front increases discoverability.
AI-assisted production: auto-transcripts, AI highlight generation and smart show notes are standard — but they need structured episode inputs to work well. Consider infrastructure and compliance notes from guides on running large language models on compliant infrastructure and when to gate autonomous agents in your toolchain.
Dynamic sponsorships and creator-owned distribution: mid-roll host-read ads, branded segments and programmatic insertions coexist; clear ad slots and sponsor deliverables make deals simpler. If you plan to sell direct or integrate live commerce, see notes on high‑conversion product pages and live commerce.

Ant & Dec’s Hanging Out is a perfect case study: a relaxed, listener-driven chat format that mixes archive clips, audience questions and short-form social clips. Use this episode planner to reproduce that effortless, multi-format workflow.

How to use this planner (quick guide)

Pick your target episode length (20, 30, 45 or 60 min). The planner includes timing blueprints for each.
Block slots for host monologue, listener mail, archive clips, guest chat and sponsor reads. Mark must-capture moments for social clips.
Populate the pre-production checklist (facts to check, rights clearance for clips, guest bios, key questions).
Fill show notes and chapter markers right after recording while the episode fresh — this makes transcripts and SEO much easier. Use micro-app workflows to keep pre-prod docs tidy (see micro-apps for document workflows).
Use the promotion checklist on launch day and the 7-day repurposing plan to feed social channels and newsletter subscribers.

Planner at-a-glance: What’s included

Episode metadata and pre-production checklist
Timing blueprints for common episode durations
Segment idea bank tailored for entertainment shows
Sponsored ad slots and scripting guidelines
Show notes & chapters template (SEO + accessibility)
Promotion checklist: pre-launch, launch-day and week-long repurpose plan
KPI & post-mortem template for continuous improvement

Full Episode Planner Template (copyable)

Copy this into a Google Sheet or document and use it as your episode blueprint. Replace placeholders with episode-specific info.

Episode Metadata

Show Name:
Episode Title:
Episode Number:
Recording Date / Publish Date:
Hosts:
Guest(s):
Primary Theme / Hook (one sentence):
Target length: 20 / 30 / 45 / 60 min
Must-capture moments for clips (timestamps planned):
Licensing / Clearance needed (clips, music):

Timing Blueprints (pick one)

Short & Snackable — 20 minutes

00:00–00:30 — Pre-roll music + show ID
00:30–02:00 — Host greeting + one-line episode hook
02:00–06:00 — Main segment A (story/banter)
06:00–07:00 — Pre-roll sponsor mention (short 15–30s)
07:00–13:00 — Main segment B (listener questions / archive clip)
13:00–15:00 — Clip react / highlight for social
15:00–17:00 — Quick lightning round / recurring bit
17:00–18:30 — Mid-roll sponsor (host-read 30–45s)
18:30–19:30 — Wrap-up + CTA (subscribe / leave review)
19:30–20:00 — Post-roll music / teaser for next episode

Standard Conversational — 30 minutes

00:00–01:00 — Show ID + quick hook
01:00–05:00 — Host banter + news or headlines
05:00–10:00 — Segment A (guest / archive clip + commentary)
10:00–11:00 — Sponsor pre-roll (15–30s)
11:00–18:00 — Segment B (audience Q&A or game)
18:00–19:30 — Mid-roll sponsor (30–60s; integrate product in banter)
19:30–25:30 — Deep dive / storytime
25:30–27:30 — Wrap + calls-to-action
27:30–30:00 — End-stinger / social teaser

Longform — 45–60 minutes

00:00–02:00 — Show ID + 1-line preview of the ep
02:00–10:00 — Setup / returning bits / topical starts
10:00–20:00 — Main interview / clip + reactions
20:00–21:00 — Sponsor pre-roll (or integrated early placement)
21:00–30:00 — Second segment / audience stories
30:00–32:00 — Mid-roll sponsor (45–60s)
32:00–45:00 — Deep-dive / co-host banter / second interview
45:00–47:00 — Third sponsor or branded segment
47:00–55:00 — Closing segment: highlights and social clip cues
55:00–60:00 — Wrap, CTA, post-roll

Segment Idea Bank (tailored for entertainment podcasts)

Borrow formats that work for Ant & Dec-style friendly chat shows, then adapt them for your voice.

Hangout Catch-up: Two hosts update each other on a week in 4 minutes — casual, humanizing.
Listener Mail / Voice Notes: Read 2–3 voice messages and react — high engagement and easy clip sourcing.
Archive Clip Reaction: Play a classic TV moment (clear rights) and react live — great for nostalgia and cross-promo.
Rapid Fire Game: 5 quick questions for guests/hosts — clipable and sharable.
Behind-the-Scenes Tales: Short production anecdotes — unique to entertainers and valuable to fans.
Topical Roundtable: 3 takes on a trending story — positions you in current conversations.
Fan Challenge / Poll Results: Read fan submissions and pick winners — builds community.
Studio Drop-ins: Short guest cameo or expert interlude — adds variety.

Structure sponsor inventory before recording. Use this template to keep ads native, measurable and valuable.

Pre-roll (15–30s) — Short, promise-driven. Use for discovery offers or time-limited discounts. Keep the message tight: problem + solution + CTA + code.
Mid-roll (30–60s) — Host-read with a story or personal use-case. Higher engagement and conversion; reserve for main sponsor.
Branded Segment (60–120s) — A named segment sponsored by a brand (e.g., "Belta Box Listener Letters, brought to you by..."). Integrate the brand into the content for better recall.
Post-roll (15–20s) — Reinforce CTA; lower CPM but useful for multi-touch.

Best-practice scripting pattern for host-read mid-rolls:

1) Personal hook; 2) Product benefit; 3) Offer or link; 4) Clear CTA; 5) Disclosure ("this episode is sponsored by...").

Always record ad reads cleanly in a quiet take and preserve raw ad audio for future insertion via dynamic ad platforms. For programmatic targeting and contextual ads, consider content tagging and commerce integration best practices like those in high-conversion commerce playbooks.

Show Notes & Chapters Template (SEO + Accessibility)

Optimize each episode for search and reuse with this show notes structure:

Episode Title: Include main keyword and a hook (e.g., "Hanging Out ep.12: Archive Clips, Listener Mail & a Surprise Guest")
Short Summary (1–2 sentences): Clear hook for readers and search engines
Timestamps / Chapters: List segments with exact timestamps for listeners and platforms
Guest Bios: Social handles, short bio, links to work
Links & Resources: Products, citations, rights notes
Sponsor section: Promo code, affiliate links, disclosure
Transcript: Full text for accessibility and SEO (use AI tools to speed this)

Tip: in 2026, platforms reward rich metadata and chapters — include as much structured info as possible.

Promotion Checklist: Pre-launch, Launch-day and 7-day Plan

Pre-launch (72–24 hours before publishing)

Create 3 teaser clips (vertical 15–30s) — pick funny or emotional moments that hook quickly; use vertical criteria from a vertical video rubric.
Write the show notes and set chapter markers before publishing if possible.
Prepare email newsletter copy with a top-line hook and a single CTA.
Schedule social posts across YouTube (shorts + episode page), TikTok, Instagram Reels and X/Threads.
Confirm sponsor assets and tracking links; upload to ad platform.

Launch-day

Publish episode and transcript; pin a tweet/Thread linking to the episode with a short clip.
Post the three teaser clips staggered throughout the day.
Send newsletter with "listen now" and a standout quote or clip GIF.
Encourage fans to leave ratings and reviews (native CTA in the episode and email).

Days 1–7 (repurpose & analyze)

Create 4–6 additional clips: the best one-minute take, a 30s laugh, a memorable line and an audiogram with waveform.
Host a short live Q&A based on episode topics (YouTube Live, Instagram Live or clubhouse-style space) — field audio workflows and micro-event tips are covered in field guides like advanced micro-event field audio workflows.
Review early analytics: downloads, listens, completion rate and link CTRs. Share sponsor performance with partners.
Update show notes with press mentions and community responses.

Rights, Archival Clips & Legal Notes

Using archive TV clips like Ant & Dec is a powerful draw — but clear the rights. Options:

License clips from the rights holder (best for consistent use).
Use short excerpts under fair use cautiously — legal standards vary and fair use is not guaranteed.
Create your own edits or re-enactments to avoid clearance costs.

Always include music metadata and clear any third-party content. In 2026, automated fingerprinting tools make takedowns faster — plan early.

Advanced Strategies & 2026 Trends to Layer In

AI-assisted highlight reels: Use AI tools (e.g., audio highlight generators) to surface clip candidates immediately after editing — consider infrastructure implications explained in LLM and infra guides.
Contextual dynamic ads: Brands now prefer context-based buy — tag your segments so programmatic partners can target relevant spots. See commerce and ad integration notes in high‑conversion commerce playbooks.
Creator-owned feeds: Host full episodes on your site or feed and use federated platforms (RSS + open hosting) to maximize data access — migration guides such as moving your podcast from closed platforms are helpful.
Membership tiers: Offer early access, extended cuts or ad-free versions for paid subscribers and plan these episodes in the template — marketplace reviews of tools and monetization platforms can help (see tools & marketplaces roundups).
Short-form first publishing: Some shows publish a short clip as the primary asset and route users to the full episode; plan your opener accordingly and use vertical-video guidance from the rubric above.

KPI & Post-Mortem Template

After an episode, fill this out to improve future shows:

Downloads (D1/D7/D30):
Average Completion Rate:
Top-performing clip (platform + views):
Sponsor conversions (clicks / sales):
Listener feedback highlights:
What worked / what to change next episode:

Printable Planner (one-page quick sheet)

Use this to sketch episodes in the studio. Copy into a document and print.

Episode #:   Title:                       Length:
Hosts:       Guest(s):                   Record date:

TIMELINE (00:00 - end)
00:00 - 00:30: Show ID
00:30 - 02:00: Hook + Greeting
02:00 - 06:00: Segment A
06:00 - 07:00: Sponsor (pre-roll)
07:00 - 13:00: Segment B (clip / mail)
13:00 - 15:00: Social clip highlight
15:00 - 17:00: Lightning Round
17:00 - 18:30: Sponsor (mid-roll)
18:30 - 19:30: Wrap + CTA
19:30 - End:   Teaser

CLIP IDEAS (timestamp & description):
SPONSOR DETAILS: (script stub, link, promo code):
SHOW NOTES DRAFT (1–2 lines):
PROMOTION PLAN (pre, launch, day 1-7):
CLEARANCES REQUIRED:
POST-MORTEM NOTES:

Example: How a Hanging Out–style episode might map out

Imagine an episode where Ant & Dec dig into an archive TV moment, read fans' voice notes and react to a trending story. A 30-minute blueprint could look like:

Open with a 20s hook about the archive clip.
Play the clip (licensed short excerpt), react for 6 minutes — mark two 30s moments to pull as social clips.
Two listener voice notes read and reacted to (gentle banter; high human connection).
Mid-roll sponsor integrated through a branded segment "Listener Letters, brought to you by…"
Wrap with a call to follow the Belta Box channel for video extras and classic clip playlists.

This kind of planning converts better because the creative choices are aimed at both listeners and short-form discovery channels.

Final actionable checklist — Before you hit record

Confirm episode title and one-line hook.
Set exact timings for sponsor spots and record the ad scripts separately.
List 3 clipable moments and mark who will grab them in editing.
Clear any archive clips and embed rights info in the planner. Use micro-apps to track clearances and release forms (micro-app workflows).
Prepare show notes template and create chapter markers placeholder.
Line up social promo (3 teasers) and newsletter copy.

Wrap-up: Why this template works

Entertainment podcasts that feel effortless are often the most meticulously planned. Using a structured episode planner — modeled on the conversational, clip-friendly approach of Ant & Dec’s Hanging Out — saves time, improves sponsor value and multiplies discoverability across platforms in 2026's video-first ecosystem. If you need compact gear or kit ideas, field reviews and creator bundles like the Compact Creator Bundle v2 and content-tool roundups for lighting and webcam kits are useful starting points.

Call-to-action

Ready to stop scrambling? Download and duplicate this planner into your Google Drive, or copy the printable one-page into your studio binder and use it for your next three episodes. If you want a pre-filled example (Hanging Out–style episode), reply and I’ll send a sample episode sheet you can adapt. Share your episode link once you’ve used the planner — I’ll review the promo plan and suggest 3 clip ideas to boost reach.

knowledged

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.