From Audio to Video, Spotify’s $100 Million Payout Fuels Creator Success Stories

Podcasts have become a cornerstone of the Spotify experience, evolving from a niche interest to a cultural phenomenon. As the format continues to grow, we’re seeing an exciting trend emerge: the rise of video podcasts. At Spotify, we’re committed to supporting creators across all formats, and we’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone in that journey.

For the first time, we’re revealing that Spotify paid out more than $100 million to podcast publishers and podcasters worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This figure reflects our deep commitment to the creator economy and underscores Spotify’s position as a leading platform for audio and video creators alike.

We’re expanding creators’ reach to a global audience, providing flexible earning options regardless of format, and offering tools to capture and engage a loyal fanbase. Whether a creator is just starting out or looking to scale an existing show, Spotify provides the resources and opportunities to thrive.

For fans, this translates to an even richer library of diverse content and the unique ability to seamlessly switch between listening and watching their favorite podcasts on Spotify.

A platform for growth and innovation

This payout encompasses both ad-based revenue and revenue generated through the Spotify Partner Program, which launched earlier this year in select markets. The program is designed to provide creators with more ways to monetize their content, offering audience-driven payouts from Spotify Premium video engagement and the ability to monetize via ads in Spotify Free and on all other podcast listening platforms.

We’re seeing positive signals that this approach is resonating with creators. The Spotify Partner Program is driving growth, with total earnings for participating creators up 23% month-over-month from January to February, and 29% month-over-month from February to March. We’ve also seen a significant increase in video podcast adoption, with active monthly video podcasts up 28% since the program launched.

Recognizing the power of podcasts to reach valuable consumers, some of the world’s largest advertisers are booking campaigns through the Spotify Audience Network as part of the Spotify Partner Program, including McDonald’s, Google, and Chelsea FC, providing creators with even more monetization opportunities.

The creator perspective

The real impact of these opportunities is best illustrated by the success of individual creators. Shows like Your Mom’s House with Christina P. and Tom Segura and The Rest Is Politics: US have experienced a remarkable surge in engagement since joining the Spotify Partner Program, with weekly consumption up more than 45%. Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast has also seen significant gains, with weekly consumption up 12% since joining the program and total consumption time up 30% from January to March. Similarly, Two Hot Takes has seen weekly consumption grow by 12% since introducing video on Spotify. But these numbers only scratch the surface. Here’s what participants are saying about the program:

• Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger: “Since we added video to our shows on Spotify, we’ve been delighted by the growth we’ve seen across the Goalhanger network. It’s clear that our audiences love watching their favourite hosts and we’re really encouraged by the engagement levels we’ve seen so far.”
• Christiana Brenton, Chief Revenue Officer at FlightStory and Co-Founder of FlightStory Studio: “Since joining the Spotify Partner Program, we’ve seen weekly consumption grow by over 45%. That kind of trajectory is exceptional, and it speaks to the power of a global platform that is committed to creator success. Spotify has opened up a new competitive revenue stream and allows us to tap into a deeply engaged audience.”

Ultimately, Spotify is committed to building a sustainable ecosystem where creators can thrive. This $100 million payout is just one step in that journey. We’ll continue to invest in new tools, resources, and programs to support creators in all formats, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for podcasting on Spotify.