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Spotify and Netflix announced a partnership Tuesday that will bring video podcasts to the streaming giant's platform, marking an expansion of podcasting beyond its audio roots.
The agreement covers 16 video podcasts produced by Spotify Studios and the Ringer, a sports and pop culture media company Spotify acquired in 2020. The content will debut on Netflix in early 2026, starting in the United States before rolling out to additional markets.
"This partnership marks a new chapter for podcasting," Roman Wasenmuller, VP and Head of Podcasts at Spotify, said in a statement.
The Swedish audio streaming company said it plans to extend similar distribution opportunities to more podcasters in the future, though it did not provide specifics.
The deal represents Spotify's continued push into video content, a format it first introduced to its platform in 2015 when it began offering non-music audio and video programming. The company has steadily ramped up its podcast investments since acquiring Gimlet Media, a prominent podcast producer, in 2019.
Spotify characterized podcasting as evolving from "an audio-first medium" into "a vibrant multi-format landscape" in its statement.
Industry analysts view the Netflix partnership as strategic positioning for Spotify's growing video ambitions.
"I see this as a clear step in Spotify's strategy to accelerate its video podcast bet, which has become an increasingly important focus," said Christoffer Jennel, an analyst at equity research firm Inderes. "The agreement can be seen as another step in Spotify's ambition to establish itself as a broader media platform beyond audio."
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