Tag: video podcasts

Spotify Studios and The Ringer Video Podcasts Are Coming to Netflix

Early next year, your favorite video podcasts are getting a bigger stage. Spotify and Netflix are teaming up to bring sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer to Netflix to complement the streamer’s existing programming and unlock new audiences and wider distribution for the shows. 

Audiences will be able to watch select Spotify Studios and The Ringer video podcasts on Netflix starting in early 2026 in the US, with more markets to follow. This collaboration offers fans more ways to connect with the stories and voices they love. It’s a celebration of creators and a powerful step forward in how their work reaches the world. Some of the video podcasts that will be available to start include:

Sports

Culture/lifestyle

True crime

“At Netflix, we’re always looking for new ways to entertain our members, wherever and however they want to watch,” said Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy. “As video podcasts continue to grow in popularity, our partnership with Spotify allows us to bring full video versions of these top shows to both Netflix and Spotify audiences. From pop culture and lifestyle to true crime and sports, this curated selection of video podcasts adds fresh voices and new perspectives to Netflix, making our entertainment lineup more exciting than ever.”

Creativity in motion

This creative collaboration reflects how Spotify continues to evolve podcasting. What began as an audio-first medium is now a vibrant multi-format landscape. As the category matures, Spotify remains focused on innovation, scale, and creator success.

“This partnership marks a new chapter for podcasting,” said Roman Wasenmüller, VP and Head of Podcasts at Spotify. “Together with Netflix, we’re expanding discovery, helping creators reach new audiences, and giving fans around the world the chance to experience the stories they love and uncover favorites they never expected. This offers more choice to creators and unlocks a completely new distribution opportunity.”

Elevating the ecosystem

The collaboration also reinforces Spotify’s belief that when platforms work together, creators benefit. By partnering with Netflix, Spotify is helping creators captivate even more fans worldwide.

Looking ahead, Spotify plans to bring similar opportunities to a wider range of creators. Throughout this expansion, the core principles of Spotify’s podcasting model remain unchanged: Creators retain control, benefit from multiple revenue streams, and are supported in building sustainable businesses.

Together with Netflix, we believe the future of podcasting is becoming more dynamic, more visual, and more connected than ever.

‘The Toast’ Launches Video Episodes on Spotify

The Toast, the wildly popular daily podcast from sisters Claudia and Jackie Oshry, is now on video on Spotify. Fans can tune in each week to watch the duo’s unfiltered takes on pop culture, trending news, and everything in between, all delivered with their signature wit and chemistry.

With its sharp humor and loyal following, The Toast consistently ranks among Spotify’s most-listened-to lifestyle and entertainment podcasts. Now, the show’s expansion into video offers listeners a new, more immersive way to engage.

“We love giving Toasters new ways to enjoy the show, and now you can watch us right on Spotify,” said Claudia and Jackie. “It’s the same daily chat you know and love, just with even more ways to join in on the fun. And now, no matter where you are in the world, you can feel like you’re right there with us every morning.

“We’re thrilled The Toast is bringing their video episodes to Spotify and giving fans a new way to engage with Claudia and Jackie’s smart, hilarious take on culture,” adds Jordan Newman, Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships. “The Toast has become one of the most beloved daily shows, and expanding their video presence to Spotify will give fans a seamless way to enjoy the show wherever they are.”

Whether you’re a longtime listener or just joining the fan base, The Toast’s new video episodes offer a deeper, more dynamic way to experience the show’s humor, hot takes, and cultural recaps.

Watch new video episodes of The Toast on Spotify for free.

Spotify Introduces Plays, a New Way To See What Content Is Resonating With Podcast Fans

Updated October 6, 2025: After testing with a select group of users, we’re now expanding podcast play count milestones more broadly across the Spotify app.

Updated May 16, 2025: We always aim to provide the best Spotify experience, and sometimes that means learning and adjusting as we go. Based on early signals, we’re evolving how play counts show up across Spotify. To help celebrate growth, plays will be presented as incremental milestones instead of precise figures, beginning once an episode hits 50K plays. Creators will still see their precise numbers in their private dashboards. While plays are already available to all creators and publishers in Spotify for Creator and Megaphone, this experience continues to be a gradual rollout across the Spotify app. For more on the latest, read here.

At Spotify, we always seek ways to connect users with their next favorite podcast episode. We also work to give creators a deeper understanding of how content resonates with audiences. That’s why we’re introducing plays, a new podcast metric designed to help users see, directly within the app, which podcast episodes are most popular with fans.

For creators, plays are a helpful addition to their existing metrics and offer a more comprehensive view of the scale of all episodes on our platform. This will be another invaluable source of insight as they look to optimize their content for success, so they can continue to build a loyal fan base that comes back week after week.

Plays will capture engagement across audio and video content on Spotify, reflecting the number of times people have actively listened to or watched any episode. 

Starting this week, plays will be reflected across the Spotify app and in the Spotify for Creators and Megaphone dashboards.

A closer look at plays for creators

For creators, plays will be a key metric on the home dashboard, show overview, and individual episode analytics pages, offering a near-immediate snapshot of how content is performing based on active engagement. And because we want to give creators more comprehensive insight into the scale and depth of their audience, we’re also making consumption hour metrics available to all creators in Spotify for Creators, no matter where they’re hosted.

Existing monetization eligibility criteria and payout calculations for creators and publishers will remain unchanged. They will continue to be determined by streams and the podcast advertising industry standard of at least 60 seconds of engagement. For more details about how plays will work for creators and publishers, check out the latest on the Spotify for Creators blog.

Ultimately, plays will offer creators and their fans a clear way to measure which podcast episodes capture the most attention on Spotify. We’re always working to bring better insights to creators, foster greater discovery for people, and help content reach even wider audiences. Stay tuned for more.

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.

The Spotify Partner Program Expands To Nine New Markets, Giving More Creators New Ways To Monetize Their Content

Since announcing the Spotify Partner Program last fall, we’ve heard from creators who are optimistic about the flexibility, control, and opportunity that our new monetization program provides. And following the successful January launch in the US, U.K., Canada and Australia, we’re expanding the Spotify Partner Program to nine new markets. 

Starting April 29, eligible creators in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are able to enroll. 

The Spotify Partner Program offers audience-driven payouts to creators from Spotify Premium video engagement and the ability to monetize via ads in Spotify Free and on all other podcast listening platforms. This can help creators navigate seasonality shifts and shifts in brand/advertiser interest and give them a more consistent, reliable way to earn. 

As a brand-new revenue stream for enrolled shows, Spotify Partner Program delivered impressive results immediately. Hundreds of podcast creators surpassed $10,000 in monthly revenue, with the top earners crossing well into six figures in the first month alone. 

Additionally, Spotify Partner Program creators in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia will have more opportunities to earn Premium video revenue for listeners in new markets starting on April 29. 

Video podcasts are on the rise, and the number of creators actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify has grown by more than 50% year over year. Listeners are responding in kind, with over 250 million users having watched a podcast on Spotify, and nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners saying they prefer podcasts with video.

With more creators able to enroll in Spotify Partner Program, listeners will have access to a bigger and better catalog of video podcasts, as well as seamless background and foreground toggling. Premium users will also have the ability to watch videos with fewer ads. While a creator’s baked-in sponsorships will remain in the episode, traditional dynamic ads will not interrupt the video for Premium users, creating a seamless experience on any device.

“Spotify is committed to providing creators with more options to grow their audience and engage with fans on the format that best suits their style and show—either audio, video or both,” said Roman Wasenmüller, Head of Podcast Business at Spotify. “As we continue to evolve and expand the Spotify Partner Program, we are focusing on increased revenue and consumption for creators.”

Spotify has led audio streaming worldwide for nearly two decades. As video accelerates, we’re investing to make Spotify the video and audio destination for creators and listeners. With the Spotify Partner Program, we’re helping creators build and retain loyal audiences by delivering the best possible version of their content.

Find out more about the Spotify Partner Program by visiting the Spotify for Creators website.

Podcasts Take Center Stage at SXSW as Top Creators Discuss Video’s Impact

From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, have become a cultural conversation driver among listeners, with video continuing to grow in popularity. 

There are few better places to celebrate the power of the format and its evolution than at SXSW, where culture, content, and business collide. That’s why we brought Spotify House to Austin and invited guests to relax and enjoy a day of conversations featuring some of today’s most influential voices. 

The first session of the day served up hot takes, modern wisdom, and plenty of laughs from Ira Madison III, cohost of the Crooked Media award-winning podcast Keep It, Chris Williamson, host of the popular show Modern Wisdom, and Sara Foster, actress and cohost of The World’s First Podcast, in a conversation about how podcasts have helped evolve commentary in the digital age. 

The next session turned its focus to video, with panelists Morgan Absher, host of the comedy podcast Two Hot Takes, and Rachel Lindsay, attorney, media personality, and cohost of the NAACP-nominated show Higher Learning as well as Morally Corrupt on Spotify’s The Ringer.

Both creators broke down how the format has changed their approach to podcasting. For Rachel, video has offered a level of intimacy for the audience in a way that audio alone could not. 

“Video has been a game changer for us. At first, it was a bit intimidating, but soon you forget the camera is there and just get comfortable,” she told the crowd. “My facial expressions almost become another character on the show, like an extra cohost. It unlocks a whole new level of podcasting, making our audience feel like family.”

Morgan, who recently added video episodes to Spotify, agreed with this sentiment, adding that video has the ability to capture the unspoken moments, adding an additional layer of dynamism to the conversation. 

“Sometimes there are no words and you need that reaction. Bringing video on Spotify is a ‘have your cake and eat it too’ experience,” she said. 

Discover why fans can’t get enough of Morgan Absher on Two Hot Takes, now featuring video episodes: 

Bill Simmons Reflects on Five Years of The Ringer

Time flies when you’re having fun and we can confidently say that Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify’s Head of Talk Strategy, is having nothing but fun. Nearly a decade since its inception and five years into Spotify’s acquisition, the Ringer—now a website, a podcast network, and a video production house—is renowned for its innovative and energetic blend of sports, pop culture, politics, and tech content.

“I’m excited to be sticking around as we continue to make great podcasts and work with all the great people at Spotify,” Bill said, following news that he’ll continue on in his current role. “I think we have some exciting things coming ahead!”

Today, the Ringer Podcast Network boasts more than 50 popular pods, including chart-toppers like The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and The Ryen Russillo Podcast. Ringer Films, which launched in 2018, produces long- and short-form non-scripted programming including Celtics City, Mr. McMahon, André the Giant, Showbiz Kids, and Music Box.

On Spotify, The Ringer continues to roll out video across its podcast portfolio, now with the majority of shows featuring video episodes. The Ringer produces more than 100 hours of content weekly and video is quickly becoming integral to the network.

“Spotify is one of the best content companies in the world,” explained Bill. “I’ve been in enough work situations at this point that you just kinda know when you’re in the right spot. I think all of us are motivated to do something pretty special in the talk and video space.”

Spotify’s Partner Program Helps Creators Increase Revenue and Consumption of Video Podcasts

Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new monetization system for creators in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Just one month in, we’re already seeing the positive impacts on consumption and revenue growth for enrolled creators. 

First announced at our Now Playing event, the Spotify Partner Program offers creators multiple revenue streams, including audience-driven payouts from Spotify Premium video engagement (in select markets), as well as ad monetization on Spotify Free and other podcast platforms. The flexibility gives creators greater control over their businesses, helping them adapt to shifts in the growing podcast audience while driving incremental revenue.

The results also speak for themselves: Spotify’s video podcast consumption is up more than 20% since the program’s launch, with payouts to creators in January increasing by 300% compared to the same period a year ago. In addition, hundreds of creators surpassed $10,000 in monthly revenue on Spotify in that same time, with the top earners crossing well into six figures in the first month alone.

Video podcasts that have experienced success through the Spotify Partner Program include Modern Wisdom, hosted by Chris Williamson, which increased consumption on Spotify by 36%; We’re All Insane, the mental health podcast hosted by Devorah Roloff, which earned more than $17,000; and Kinda Funny Gamecast, a video game podcast that’s earned $10,000. 

As video consumption continues to grow on Spotify, we aim to give creators more opportunities to earn while giving our users a more seamless and delightful viewing experience. 

Ready to unlock the full potential of your content? Get started now with the Spotify Partner Program.

The Spotify Partner Program Is Here, Offering New Ways for Creators to Monetize in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia

With more than 640 million users and more than 250 million subscribers, Spotify is one of the largest platforms in the world for creators. We’re also continuously building new offerings to help creators grow their audiences and better monetize their content on Spotify. Today, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new monetization system for creators in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia.

First announced at our Now Playing event, this program gives eligible creators who host with us access to multiple revenue streams to help them transform their shows into sustainable businesses: 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.

This dual approach gives creators greater flexibility and control, helping them navigate industry shifts and maintain consistent revenue streams. Users, meanwhile, benefit from enhancements to the viewing experience and a bigger and better catalog of video podcasts, and Premium users are able to watch without interruptions from third-party ads. While a creator’s baked-in sponsorships will remain in episodes, traditional dynamic ads will not interrupt the video for Premium users, creating a seamless viewing experience on any device.

Early success and creator optimism

Creators are embracing the opportunity for greater control over their businesses and the ability to deliver the best possible content to their fans, fostering loyalty and audience retention. Since we announced the Spotify Partner Program on November 13, more than 65% of eligible shows and networks have already enrolled. Here’s what we’re hearing:

    • Smart Money Happy Hour creators: “We’re thrilled to partner with Spotify as they build a phenomenal podcast experience for their users. Smart Money Happy Hour exists to make the lives of our fans better, and adding video on Spotify does just that. We love all of the product enhancements that are happening on Spotify, and we plan to use all of them to engage with our audience even more in 2025!”
    • The Paranormal Podcast host Jim Harold: “I’m thrilled to be one of the early participants in the Spotify Partner Program. The power of longform video on Spotify gives us access to new viewers while super-serving our loyal audio audience with an added dimension. It makes 2025 an exciting new year for The Paranormal Podcast. As usual, Spotify is at the forefront of innovation for both creators and their audiences.”
    • The Makeshift Podcast co-host Zach Misischia: “The new Spotify Partner Program has given us a way to monetize our podcast without interrupting the listener’s experience, which is extremely important to us since it can often deter listeners from continuing an episode.”

Because video is naturally growing in popularity across Spotify, we’re continuing to invest in ways to make the viewing experience more seamless and delightful for our users, and to allow creators to leverage the format for discovery and growth. Podcast clips, also unveiled at Now Playing, are short-form videos uploaded by creators that are recommended across Spotify surfaces, making it easier for users to discover new shows. Since launching the feature in select markets in November, we’ve seen that clips are 33% more effective than previews at converting browsers into potential listeners.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your content? Get started now with the Spotify Partner Program.

Our Wrapped for Creators Experience Toasts 2024 Podcast Listening

More than half a billion people have listened to a podcast on Spotify as part of their daily routines since 2019, proving that the medium is a favorite for listeners. And with more than 6 million podcasts on the platform, it’s clear that creators feel at home with us.

As the year comes to a close, our Wrapped experience celebrates the milestones, trends, and special creator/fan connection we saw with podcasts in 2024. For the first time ever, we’re introducing Your Podcast Clips so podcast fans can enjoy end-of-year messages from some of their favorite podcast creators, and we’re highlighting some of our top lists—breakout creators (more than half the podcasts that charted in 2024 were not on the charts in 2023!), top video podcasts, most anticipated podcasts, and more—for listeners in our Wrapped podcast editorial hub. We’re also giving podcast creators a chance to learn more about their audiences and milestones from the year with our sixth-annual Wrapped for Creators.

Let’s look back at what was trending in the podcast space in 2024 and what creators can expect to find in their Wrapped for Creators experience.

Trending…trending…1, 2, 3

Niche audiences are at the heart of podcasting. True crime buffs have Crime Junkie, Reddit lovers turn to Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, and sports fans get their fix with The Bill Simmons Podcast. The great thing about listeners’ having millions of shows at their fingertips on Spotify is that they can find like-minded individuals or experts talking about practically any subject of interest on a podcast.

As the podcast space continues to grow, we’re seeing the format evolve and video podcasts grow in popularity—in the past year, there’s been an 88% surge in users’ consuming video podcasts. With more than 300,000 video podcasts on Spotify, we’re giving fans a new way to enjoy their favorite shows, allowing them to feel like they are in the room with the host. The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, and Gemischtes Hack are three of the top video podcasts globally for 2024.

Personalized Wrapped experiences for creators

As podcast fans indulge in the revelation of their 2024 listening habits, creators can also dive deep into personalized data with Wrapped for Creators. This experience offers millions of podcasters a unique opportunity to celebrate their milestones from the past year and discover how their podcasts resonated with fans across the world. 

“Wrapped for Creators helps podcasters better understand their global audiences, celebrate their fans, and see the macro trends that shaped our year,” said Jordan Newman, Head of Content Partnerships at Spotify. “Video has officially taken off, comments are fueling creator and fan connection, and more and more shows are gaining global fan bases.”

Creators will receive data stories about their growth from the past year, their top episodes, fan engagement trends, and more. 

If you’re a creator looking for your 2024 Wrapped, you can access your custom “Wrapped for Creators” experience through the Spotify for Creators dashboard, regardless of where you host your show. 

Explore your personalized 2024 Wrapped and learn more about this year’s campaign and experience on our 2024 Wrapped hub.

Podcasts Are Booming in Spain—Here Are Five Shows Driving the Surge

In recent years, Spain’s podcast scene has exploded, becoming a top source of entertainment, education, and conversation. From comedy to thought-provoking cultural discussions, Spanish podcasts are captivating audiences across the country.

Spotify highlighted this growth earlier this month in Madrid at Next in Podcast, our first event dedicated to the medium and its evolution in Spain. Our data has revealed a surge in consumption, with the number of podcast listeners in Spain increasing by more than 30% year over year.

Video podcasts have emerged as the star format, with Spotify seeing a remarkable 70% increase in video podcast consumption in Spain over the past year. Nine out of 10 viewers are fully engaged, watching these episodes in the foreground. Today, Spain is the second-fastest-growing market for video podcasts in Europe.

For Spanish-language listeners on the hunt for new shows, here are five Spanish podcasts at the forefront of this exciting evolution.

NUDE PROJECT PODCAST

Hosted by fashion entrepreneurs Bruno and Alex, NUDE PROJECT PODCAST features interviews with prominent figures across music, business, philosophy, psychology, and sports.  Guests like Quevedo, Becky G, and Marc Cucurella draw a predominantly under-35 audience, solidifying the podcast’s cultural relevance among younger generations. In just one year, the show has seen its monthly listenership explode on Spotify.

Start here:

La Ruina

Hosted by stand-up comedians Tomás and Ignasi, La Ruina is recorded live in theaters across Spain. Audience members are invited to share their most hilariously disastrous stories, competing for the coveted “ruina” (wrecked) title. Each episode, a celebrity guest adds to the comedy by recounting their own ruinous experiences. With consistently sold-out shows and a growing line of merchandise, La Ruina is a certified phenomenon.

Start here:

No es el fin del mundo

Navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world can be daunting. No es el fin del mundo breaks down international topics and geopolitical events into an easily digestible format, helping listeners make sense of everything from ongoing conflicts to economic trends.

Start here:

El Podcast de Marian Rojas Estapé

Marian Rojas Estapé continues to promote emotional well-being and lead the mental health podcast space with the latest season of her eponymous show. As the most-streamed mental health show in Spanish worldwide, it demystifies complex psychiatric topics, making them accessible to a global audience.

Start here:

Sofá, manta y crimen

On Sofá, manta y crimen, hosts Coral and Yayo blend captivating true crime storytelling with comedic flair. Named one of Spotify’s RADAR Spain Creators in 2023, the show has grown increasingly popular in other Spanish-speaking countries, consistently charting in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.

Start here:

Bonus recommendations

For our true crime fans, check out these other hit shows:

    • Terrores Nocturnos: Blends horror and true crime for a spine-chilling listening experience.
    • Criminopatía: Offers in-depth analyses of infamous criminal cases. 
    • Crims: A Catalan-language podcast focused on crimes in Catalonia.

Spotify’s Biggest German-Language Podcast, ‘Gemischtes Hack,’ Returns With a New Twist: Video

Since landing on Spotify in 2019, German-language podcast Gemischtes Hack has grown to become not just one of our most-streamed podcasts globally, but our most popular podcast in Germany. 

And earlier this month, hosts Tommi Schmitt and Felix Lobrecht returned from their summer break ready to record a fresh season of the wildly successful podcast in a brand-new studio that the pair built in collaboration with Spotify.