Netflix and Spotify have teamed up to bring a selection of popular video podcasts to the global streaming platform. This is a major step that connects the worlds of audio streaming and video entertainment.
This partnership, which will start in early 2026, is Netflix’s first big step into the world of podcasts and gives Spotify’s creators a new way to get their work out there.
A New Beginning for Video Podcasts
Beginning in early 2026, Netflix will have a hand-picked selection of video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer available to watch in the US. After the first launch, the companies want to grow into other international markets. This project is meant to add to Netflix’s current shows and reach new audiences.
Lauren Smith, Netflix’s VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy, said, “At Netflix, we’re always looking for new ways to entertain our members, no matter where or how they want to watch.”
She also said that this partnership brings “new voices and points of view to Netflix, making our entertainment lineup more exciting than ever.” Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify’s VP and Head of Podcasts, called the deal “a new chapter for podcasting.” It gives creators more ways to be found and fans more options.
The first group of video podcasts includes sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime. Many of them come from Bill Simmons’ The Ringer network, which Spotify bought in 2020.
The Bill Simmons Podcast, a popular sports and pop culture show, and The Rewatchables, in which Simmons and other hosts talk about old movies, are two of the confirmed titles. There are a lot of good sports shows, like The Zach Lowe Show on basketball, The Ringer NFL Show, and The Ringer F1 Show.
The Big Picture, which reviews new movies, and The Dave Chang Show are two shows that subscribers can look forward to for culture and lifestyle. Podcasts like Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers will show what the true crime genre is all about. The companies have said that this first list is “just the beginning” and that they will add more shows over time.
The Strategic Switch to Video Podcasts
This partnership shows that the podcasting industry is making a big move toward video-based content. To compete with YouTube, which has become the most popular way to listen to podcasts, Spotify has been working hard to get into video.
According to the company, people are watching videos on its platform 20 times faster than they are listening to audio-only shows. There are now over 430,000 video podcasts on Spotify.
Ted Sarandos, one of Netflix’s co-CEOs, hinted at the company’s interest earlier this year. During an April earnings call, he expressed that the distinction between podcasts and talk shows is becoming increasingly hazy.
He also said, “As the popularity of video podcasts grows, I suspect you’ll see some of them find their way to Netflix.” This move also keeps these popular podcasts away from YouTube, which competes with Netflix, since the full video versions will not be available there.
For creators, this partnership opens up a new way to get their work out there. Spotify has said that creators will still have control over their content and will be able to make money from more than one source during this expansion.
In particular, any ads that Spotify adds to the video podcasts will stay there. However, Netflix will not add its commercial breaks to these shows, even for people who subscribe to its plan that includes ads.
