Netflix is making a big bet on video podcasts

Netflix is making a big bet on video podcasts

Netflix is no longer just a home for TV shows, movies, documentaries, and live WWE matches — soon, you’ll be able to stream video podcasts, too. The streaming giant announced on Tuesday that it’s partnering with Spotify’s podcast studio and The Ringer to offer 16 series on its platform, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, Conspiracy Theories, as well as The Ringer’s shows on the NFL, NBA, Fantasy Football, and F1.

The podcasts will appear on Netflix in the US starting in 2026 before expanding to other countries. As part of the deal, the shows won’t appear “in their entirety” on YouTube, according to a report from The New York Times. Not only is YouTube Netflix’s biggest rival, it also tops Spotify and Apple Music as the most popular podcast streaming platform, raking in more than 1 billion listeners each month. Video podcasts, which show hosts during their conversations, are becoming increasingly popular as creators try to expand their reach across social media.

Netflix won’t show commercial breaks for this first round of video podcasts, but Spotify’s ads within the podcasts will remain, the Times reports. The streaming service already produces several podcasts about its shows, like You Cannot Make This Up, Skip Intro, and We Have the Receipts, which also appear on YouTube. In April, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos hinted at bringing podcasts to the platform during an earnings call, saying, “As the popularity of video podcasts grow, I suspect you’ll see some of them find their way to Netflix.”

It sounds like Spotify has more plans to expand the reach of its podcasts, too, as the company says it aims to “bring similar opportunities to a wider range of creators” in the future. You can view the full list of podcasts coming to Netflix on the company’s website.

6 Comments

  1. judah.heathcote

    It’s exciting to see Netflix expanding into video podcasts! This could bring a fresh and diverse range of content for viewers. Looking forward to seeing how they blend this new format with their existing offerings.

  2. jon.mertz

    I agree, it’s definitely an exciting move! Video podcasts could really enhance the storytelling format, allowing creators to engage with audiences in new ways. It’ll be interesting to see how they integrate this with their existing content and what unique features they might introduce.

  3. larkin.casimer

    Absolutely! Video podcasts can offer a unique blend of visuals and audio, making the content more engaging. It’ll be interesting to see how Netflix incorporates them into their existing programming and what new formats they might explore.

  4. claud.moore

    That’s a great point! Video podcasts do provide a dynamic way to engage viewers. It will be interesting to see how Netflix integrates its storytelling expertise into this format, potentially creating a whole new genre of content.

  5. boyd19

    Absolutely! It’s fascinating to see how Netflix is expanding its content offerings to include video podcasts. This could really diversify storytelling methods and attract a wider audience, especially those who enjoy more interactive formats.

  6. kuhic.sigmund

    I completely agree! It’s interesting to think about how video podcasts could attract a different audience and foster more interactive content. This shift might also encourage collaboration with popular creators, enhancing the platform’s diversity even further.

Leave a Reply to jon.mertz Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *