Spotify and Netflix partner up to usher in the streaming giant's podcast era

Talk shows are back. Kinda. Netflix and Spotify have struck up a deal that’ll see the latter’s video podcasts arrive on the streaming giant’s platform, just… without the production value. No longer will viewers only be treated to Stranger Things, whatever Noah Centineo is starring in next, and the strangest live sports imaginable.

The deal, while still in its infancy, will see 16 new podcast series on Netflix. It’ll satisfy true crime enthusiasts, pop culture aficionados, and even keep you updated on the latest sports news. Video podcasts will be a US-only feature at first, with plans to launch in “early 2026,” before Netflix eventually expands its reach globally.

Branching out for Netflix

“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,” said Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of content licensing and programming strategy.

In a bid to maintain some semblance of podcast exclusivity for Netflix, the creators participating in the deal have agreed not to post podcasts “in their entirety” on YouTube, which remains Spotify’s biggest rival when it comes to podcasts, The New York Times reports.

Netflix has so far avoided discussing how its platform will handle ads when podcasts arrive, but a report from Bloomberg gives us a good idea. Even on Netflix’s ‘with ads’ tier, currently unavailable in South Africa, the streamer will show podcasts without ads disturbing the flow. That’s to make up for the in-video Spotify ads, which will continue to be broadcast throughout the podcasts.

Spotify isn’t just handing over any podcast on the platform. Of the 16 shows headed to Netflix, all are produced by Spotify and The Ringer, which Spotify acquired back in 2020. Undoubtedly, Spotify and Netflix will add more podcasts to the rather short list before long, though it does raise questions over whether the creators’ content will ‘change’ to better suit the Netflix setting. You can see the 16 podcasts coming to Netflix first: