Tag: creators

Spotify Toasts to the Future of Podcasting With Creators at Our New Sycamore Studios

January 8, 2026

On Wednesday in Los Angeles, Spotify welcomed creators and press to a brunch celebrating the soft launch of our brand-new podcast studio, Spotify Sycamore Studios. The event offered attendees an exclusive first look at the state-of-the-art production spaces in Hollywood and a chance to connect with Spotify teams and the talent shaping the future of podcasting.

It came as Spotify announced an estimated $10 billion contributed to the podcast industry over the last five years and celebrated the first anniversary of the Spotify Partner Program by expanding its eligibility to even more creators. The festivities will culminate with the Golden Globes’ first-ever Best Podcast category this Sunday.

Guests included creators Cherie Brooke Luo and Jean Luo (Tiger Sisters), Rachel Lindsay (Higher Learning), Chris Williamson (Modern Wisdom), Joe Santagato (The Basement Yard), and Morgan Absher (Two Hot Takes). As they toured the facility and its video-forward production spaces, Jordan Newman, Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships & Spotify Partner Program, was on hand to explain the vision. “Video is booming, and creators need spaces designed for that momentum,” he said. “That’s why we designed these studios with video at the center, flexibility in mind, and the kind of production environment that lets creators focus on their work and creativity.”

The studio will serve as a new home for many podcasts from Spotify’s The Ringer, and access will be offered by invitation to other eligible video creators in the Spotify Partner Program.

Making It Easier for Video Podcasters to Earn on Spotify

January 7, 2026

Podcasts are stepping onto a new stage this week as the Golden Globes recognize the medium for the first time. To mark this milestone moment, we’re hosting our first-ever Golden Week Nominees Night with The Hollywood Reporter, and just announced Spotify Sycamore Studios, our brand-new podcast space in West Hollywood.

But that’s not all. We’re also celebrating the Spotify Partner Program’s first anniversary, with major updates designed to help creators grow on their own terms. Starting today, even more creators will be able to take advantage of the Spotify Partner Program. And coming soon, creators will have new ways to easily manage their sponsorships, and publish and monetize video on Spotify—even if they’re hosted on another platform.

Over the last year, the Spotify Partner Program has helped eligible video creators transform their shows into sustainable businesses, offering them greater flexibility and control to navigate industry shifts and maintain consistent revenue streams. 

These latest updates are designed to make Spotify an even better platform for creators, whether they’re on the rise, an established name, or a publisher managing a network of shows.

Here’s what’s new.

More creators can now join the Spotify Partner Program

When we introduced the Spotify Partner Program, our goal was to help creators around the world turn their passion for podcasting into a sustainable living. One year in, that vision is becoming a reality. Creators are seeing meaningful growth in their earnings through a mix of Premium video and ad revenue while giving Premium subscribers a seamless, high-quality video experience.

That success is built on the deep engagement of Spotify listeners. In the U.S., compared to casual listeners, loyal fans on Spotify stream nearly 20 times more of a show and are 2.5 times more likely to stick around after six months.

Now, to help even more creators connect with this valuable audience, we’re expanding the Spotify Partner Program by broadening our eligibility thresholds: 

    • From 2,000 listeners to 1,000 engaged audience members on Spotify, based on plays over the last 30 days.
    • From 10,000 hours consumed to 2,000 hours consumed over the last 30 days.
    • From 12 published episodes to 3 published episodes (all time). 

Creators can check if they’re eligible to apply by visiting the Monetize tab on Spotify for Creators.

Smarter, more flexible sponsorship management for video

Sponsorships are one of the most valuable revenue streams in podcasting, but managing them hasn’t always been easy. Re-editing episodes to swap out outdated messaging can be time-consuming, and keeping sponsorships fresh over time often requires extra effort from creators.

Starting this April, we’re simplifying the process and making it more seamless with a new suite of creator sponsorship tools rolling out across Spotify for Creators and Megaphone.

Creators enrolled in the Spotify Partner Program will be able to:

    • Easily remove, replace, and add host-read sponsorships in video episodes for more timely messages. 
    • Schedule updates ahead of time, whether editing host-read sponsorships, inserting new slots, or refreshing older material.
    • Track how each sponsorship performed over time with new delivery metrics.

These updates build on our existing toolkit for managing earnings across multiple revenue streams, giving creators and publishers even more customization, control, and confidence in how they monetize content.

Publish and monetize video on Spotify from other platforms

We believe creators should be able to easily tap into the power of video without having to change the platforms, tools, and workflows they’re already using. That’s why we’re introducing our new Spotify Distribution API.

Soon, creators and publishers will be able to publish and monetize videos on Spotify directly from participating hosting platforms without needing to change how they work or re-upload any content. 

We plan to launch with leading platforms Acast, Audioboom, Libsyn, Omny, and Podigee, with others joining soon. This means more choice, more flexibility, and more ways for creators to unlock the value of video on Spotify.

“Acast has always believed in giving podcasters choice, empowering them to be heard and make money wherever their audience is,” said Acast CEO Greg Glenday. “As the industry evolves, we’re bringing the same flexibility to video. Our partnership with Spotify is built on that principle of creator autonomy: providing the tools to scale and earn on every platform without compromising control. This is a major milestone in our mission to support stories, wherever they’re told.”

For eligible creators hosted on platforms that integrate with the API, they will have:

    • The ability to publish video to Spotify and participate in the Spotify Partner Program without having to switch hosting platforms. 
    • The opportunity to earn Premium video revenue, while Spotify Premium subscribers in select markets enjoy their video content uninterrupted by dynamic ads.
    • The opportunity to earn ad revenue when fans in select markets watch or listen on the free version of Spotify, or in markets without Premium video revenue.
    • The ability to tap into our new and flexible sponsorship management tools without having to switch hosting platforms.

If you host with one of our participating partners, look out for more information on availability soon. 

“Spotify has long been a valued partner of Audioboom,” said CEO of Audioboom Stuart Last. “As the world’s largest video podcast network, this new offering allows us to support creators in both growing their audiences and unlocking additional revenue opportunities.” 

Brendan Monaghan, CEO of Libsyn, added, “Partnering with Spotify gives Libsyn creators more flexibility, more reach, and more ways to grow—without changing how they work. That’s a win for creators and a meaningful step forward for the podcasting ecosystem.” 

This is a step toward the future of podcasting on Spotify, where creators have more paths than ever to make a living by doing what they love.

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

In markets where the Spotify Partner Program is available and eligible creators are participating, Spotify Premium audiences may still experience breaks in video episodes due to creator sponsorships.

Go Inside Spotify Sycamore Studios, Our New State-of-the-Art Podcast Studio in Hollywood

January 7, 2026

This week, all eyes are on the podcast industry as the Golden Globes recognizes the medium for the first time. At Spotify, we’re marking the moment with a slate of festivities that include expanded access to the Spotify Partner Program, new tools that give creators greater control and flexibility to manage sponsorships and distribute video content, our first-ever Golden Week Nominees Night with The Hollywood Reporter, and the opening of Spotify Sycamore Studios, our brand-new podcast studio in Hollywood.

Designed with creators in mind, Spotify Sycamore Studios features flexible recording rooms, multi-camera video setups, and on-site production support—offering a modern, high-quality space where ideas can come to life. The studio will serve as home to Ringer podcasts including The Rewatchables, The Ringer-Verse, and The Hottest Take, among others. Access to Spotify Sycamore Studios will be available by invitation only to video creators in the Spotify Partner Program based on availability and production needs.

Located in one of Los Angeles’s most vibrant creative corridors, the new studios deepen Spotify’s long-standing commitment to the city’s creative community. As a global center for storytelling, LA has long been a place where culture is shaped, and this launch reflects Spotify’s continued investment in the talent driving those conversations every day.

Spotify Sycamore Studios also expands Spotify’s global network of creator studios, joining Spotify podcast studios in Los Angeles’s Arts District, New York, Stockholm, and London. 

“Ambitious shows need spaces that support big ideas,” said Bill Simmons, Founder of The Ringer and Head of Talk Strategy, Spotify. “These studios give teams room to experiment and keep pushing what’s possible. It’s our latest investment in creators, and having this additional home base in LA is vital for the next chapter of our storytelling.” 

Explore the gallery below to step inside Spotify Sycamore Studios.

A Defining Moment for Podcasts: Spotify Kicks Off Week of Festivities After Contributing More Than $10 Billion to the Industry

January 6, 2026

Spotify is launching a week-long celebration spotlighting creators at the center of a defining cultural moment for the podcast industry. The festivities culminate this Sunday at the Golden Globes, which will introduce a Best Podcast category for the first time—a major milestone that underscores the format’s expanding impact across news, entertainment, and public discourse.

To mark the occasion, we’ll unveil tools and spaces that help empower connection, celebrate milestones, and showcase the creators who spark culture. We’re also partnering with The Hollywood Reporter to cohost Golden Week Nominees Night. The evening will feature musical performances from Chaka Khan, John Legend, and Sinners breakout star Miles Caton, and will honor the creators in the Best Podcast category, which includes Good Hang with Amy Poehler, from Spotify’s The Ringer.

Powering the next era of podcasting

Over the past decade, podcasts have evolved from a niche medium to a cultural force, a source of news, commentary, entertainment, and connection. They’re the new late-night talk show and an essential stop on all major press tours and presidential campaigns. Spotify helped establish the model for modern podcast success by investing early in creators, supporting multi-format storytelling, and building global audiences for today’s top shows. Since early 2019, podcast content on Spotify has increased from 200K titles to over 7M shows available in over 180 markets.

Over the past five years, we estimate that our investments across Spotify’s podcast ecosystem have contributed more than $10B to the podcast industry. This figure is fueled by direct creator monetization, the scale of audience engagement we deliver, and the infrastructure that helps creators and publishers of all sizes run their businesses, both on and off Spotify. It reflects our deep commitment to the creator economy and underscores Spotify’s position as a leading platform for audio and video creators alike.

“Being recognized at the Golden Globes for the first time is a stop-sign moment for podcasting,” said Roman Wasenmüller, VP, Global Head of Podcasts, Spotify. “It reflects how far the medium has come, the opportunity that still lies ahead, and the creativity, diversity, and ambition of the creators shaping podcasting today. This week, we’re spotlighting their work and rolling out new ways to help them create, grow, and earn.”

Looking ahead, we remain focused on empowering creators with better discovery, flexible monetization models, and tools that support storytelling. We expect that podcasting will continue to grow and change, but for us, we aim to preserve what we all love about this incredible medium: authenticity, connection, and creative expression, while helping every publisher, show, and creator unlock their full potential.

There’s more to come, so check back soon for the latest news and creator stories from across the week.

Spotify and Stray Kids Celebrate KARMA With an Immersive Spotify STAYdium Experience

August 22, 2025

The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. And with Spotify STAYdium, fans aren’t just listening, they’re living every moment of it.

Now open in Seoul and Jakarta through August 25, and then heading to Tokyo August 23 through August 27, Spotify STAYdium is a journey into Stray Kids’ latest era. It’s also a tribute to STAY, whose dedication has fueled Stray Kids’ story of grit, growth, and global impact.

“Our fans are the reason for our destiny. We’re also so thankful for Spotify, who has supported us since our rookie year,” said the group. “Partnering with Spotify to bring Spotify STAYdium to life feels like we’ve come full circle. This space celebrates all that we’ve built together with STAY, and we hope they feel our love in every moment.”

KAROL G and Spotify Bring ‘Tropicoqueta’ to Life With an Unforgettable NYC Celebration

July 23, 2025

To celebrate the release of KAROL G’s acclaimed new album, Tropicoqueta, Spotify teamed up with the Latin icon to host an exclusive, immersive experience at Paradise Club in New York City. Channeling the bold energy of Karol’s new era, more than 200 fans took part in a night of music and culture.

Blending sounds from across Latin America, Tropicoqueta is a tribute to Karol’s roots. Our celebration brought the new album to life in a one-of-a-kind setting that captured its rhythms and colorful aesthetic. Guests explored the tropical-inspired space before gathering around the stage, where a choreographer taught the crowd some of the fresh dance moves featured in Karol’s latest music video.

Spotify’s Heart & Soul Initiative Brings Mental Health Support to Artists and Creators Worldwide

June 12, 2025

In 2018, Spotify launched Heart & Soul, a mental health initiative developed to provide support and promote deep knowledge about emotional well-being.

As conversations around mental health take center stage in the music industry, Spotify is deepening its commitment to artist well-being through our Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative. In partnership with leading nonprofits, this global effort aims to provide meaningful support, challenge cultural norms, and ensure that artists, songwriters, and their teams can access the help they need—when they need it.

“Heart & Soul is our commitment to the creators behind the music. Artists and songwriters face immense pressure, and their mental health can’t be an afterthought,” said Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Head of Social Impact, Spotify. “Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem. By working closely with trusted partners like Backline, we’re not just offering resources, we’re helping drive lasting change in how the industry approaches mental health.”

Here’s how we’re putting that promise into action:

Financial support

Spotify is providing direct financial support to help expand the impact of the following organizations: Backline (including Chappell Roan’s WE GOT YOU! fund), MusiCares, Music Health Alliance, Music Minds Matter, and Noah Kahan’s The Busyhead Project.

Expanding access to care

Together with Backline and Music Minds Matter, Spotify is funding grants to enable one-to-one therapy for current and upcoming EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the U.S. and U.K. Artist ambassadors from these programs will be given grants through partners that directly cover the cost of therapy that they can use themselves or gift to other artists in their bands or members of their teams.

Backline x Spotify: Supporting artists worldwide

We’re making mental health care easier to find and faster to access for creators. Spotify is proud to partner with Backline on the launch of their new global resource hub, an international, multilingual database featuring trusted music industry and mental health support resources and crisis lines from around the world. 

“Backline is honored to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community,” said Hilary Gleason, Cofounder and Executive Director, Backline. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders. Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community. Our work together will help ensure that artists have the resources, support, and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally.” 

To provide more personalized pathways to care, Backline has also launched global@backline.care, a dedicated concierge email service that provides one-on-one support to help individuals navigate local care options and mental health systems in their countries.

Bringing wellness on the road

We’re partnering with Backline and The Busyhead Project to meet artists where they are—in studios and backstage at major festivals like All Things Go NYC—through on-site wellness activations, self-care kits, and guided workshops designed to bring calm to the chaos.

Delivering everyday tools for mental health 

Through our new Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators hub on Spotify, creators can access curated playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks specifically designed to support their well-being.

Spotlighting stories that support creators

Across Spotify for Artists and Spotify Songwriting, we’ll spotlight real mental health stories from the creative community and offer resources, reflections, and tools that resonate.

Holding space for songwriters

We’re creating spaces for connection and conversation around mental health in songwriting—through intimate dinners and studio residencies that bring songwriters together around mental health themes.

“The mental health challenges artists face are real and the current support systems often fall short,” said Monica Herrera Damashek, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships, Spotify. “It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action. Spotify is expanding its Heart & Soul for Creators initiative by helping Backline scale its Mental Health & Wellness Global Resource hub internationally for the first time and by offering one-to-one therapy access to EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the U.S. and U.K. This is only one step, and we’ll continue to build a more supported environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”

Spotify’s Heart & Soul initiative represents a significant step forward in our enduring commitment to artists and creators. By providing direct financial support, expanding access to vital care, and integrating wellness into the everyday lives of musicians, we aim to foster an industry where mental health is prioritized, understood, and supported. This is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to working collaboratively to create a more sustainable and compassionate ecosystem for the individuals who bring the world’s music to life.

Spotify Ushers in a New Era of Moroccan Pop With 6 Artists Influencing the Scene

June 10, 2025

A new generation of artists is redefining Morocco’s pop music scene, blending their deep-rooted heritage with contemporary influences to create sounds that are both authentic and globally relevant. These are the voices of POPSTARS*, a fresh and energetic rebrand of Spotify’s Top Maghreb Pop playlist, designed to amplify Moroccan pop around the world.

This new campaign features exclusive interviews with six artists who are shaping Moroccan pop in strikingly different ways: Manal, Zouhair Bahaoui, Nouaman Belaiachi, DYSTINCT, Douaa Lahyaoui, and RYM. Hit play on the video below to hear from these rising stars:

“It was really important for us to connect with the pop audience and create a space where listeners from all over the world can experience the best of Moroccan pop,” said Mehdi Zim, Spotify’s Senior Editor for the Maghreb. “Our goal is to support today’s Moroccan pop artists and make sure the playlist keeps evolving—telling the story of a genre that’s growing, changing, and going global.”

Manal is known for her hyper-stylized visuals and feminist edge, weaving traditional motifs into futuristic soundscapes, while Zouhair Bahaoui and Nouaman Belaiachi each ground their sound in unmistakably Moroccan local textures. DYSTINCT, who grew up in Belgium, is making music in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), aiming to position Moroccan pop on the global stage alongside Afrobeats and Latin pop. Douaa Lahyaoui and RYM, meanwhile, are carving out new narratives—penning vulnerable lyrics, fusing genres, and giving voice to a new kind of Moroccan pop star.

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

May 6, 2025

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

April 28, 2025

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

March 27, 2025

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.

Spotify’s First-Ever Creator Milestone Award Celebrates the Growth and Success of Podcasts Worldwide

January 27, 2025

Spotify remains the ultimate destination for podcast creators, with more than 1 billion people having listened to a podcast on Spotify since we entered the space in 2019. And for the first time, we’re introducing the Spotify Creator Milestone Award to recognize the journey, growth, and streaming success of podcasts around the world.

Evaluated quarterly, the Creator Milestone Award will be given to podcasts that reach certain streaming thresholds on Spotify—100 million streams, 250 million streams, and 500 million streams—setting a new standard for podcast achievement and honoring the many record-setting shows on our platform.  

Awards will be given out across three categories:

Gold (500 million Spotify streams)

Inaugural winners include…

Crime Junkie 

The Joe Rogan Experience 

Silver (250 million Spotify streams)

Inaugural winners include…

Dateline NBC 

Stuff You Should Know

Bronze (100 million Spotify streams)

Inaugural winners include…

Rotten Mango 

VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

*Podcasts in emerging markets will receive a Bronze Creator Milestone Award for reaching 50 million Spotify streams.

Award recipients will be hand-delivered a physical Spotify plaque, they’ll be spotlighted across Spotify’s social channels, and will be featured in a new editorial hub on-platform. We’re also releasing a marketing campaign to highlight some of our first award recipients at New York City’s Penn Plaza.  

Spotify is the leading audio podcast platform in most markets worldwide, as well as the most used podcast platform among Gen Z in the U.S., and we’re excited to celebrate and honor the ongoing and ever-changing journey of being a creator today.

Visit our Creator Milestone Award hub to discover the top podcast creators on Spotify.