Tag: Now Playing Landing Page

The Spotify Partner Program Is Here, Offering New Ways for Creators to Monetize in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia

January 2, 2025

With more than 640 million users and more than 250 million subscribers, Spotify is one of the largest platforms in the world for creators. We’re also continuously building new offerings to help creators grow their audiences and better monetize their content on Spotify. Today, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new monetization system for creators in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia.

First announced at our Now Playing event, this program gives eligible creators who host with us access to multiple revenue streams to help them transform their shows into sustainable businesses: 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.

This dual approach gives creators greater flexibility and control, helping them navigate industry shifts and maintain consistent revenue streams. Users, meanwhile, benefit from enhancements to the viewing experience and a bigger and better catalog of video podcasts, and Premium users are able to watch without interruptions from third-party ads. While a creator’s baked-in sponsorships will remain in episodes, traditional dynamic ads will not interrupt the video for Premium users, creating a seamless viewing experience on any device.

Early success and creator optimism

Creators are embracing the opportunity for greater control over their businesses and the ability to deliver the best possible content to their fans, fostering loyalty and audience retention. Since we announced the Spotify Partner Program on November 13, more than 65% of eligible shows and networks have already enrolled. Here’s what we’re hearing:

    • Smart Money Happy Hour creators: “We’re thrilled to partner with Spotify as they build a phenomenal podcast experience for their users. Smart Money Happy Hour exists to make the lives of our fans better, and adding video on Spotify does just that. We love all of the product enhancements that are happening on Spotify, and we plan to use all of them to engage with our audience even more in 2025!”
    • The Paranormal Podcast host Jim Harold: “I’m thrilled to be one of the early participants in the Spotify Partner Program. The power of longform video on Spotify gives us access to new viewers while super-serving our loyal audio audience with an added dimension. It makes 2025 an exciting new year for The Paranormal Podcast. As usual, Spotify is at the forefront of innovation for both creators and their audiences.”
    • The Makeshift Podcast co-host Zach Misischia: “The new Spotify Partner Program has given us a way to monetize our podcast without interrupting the listener’s experience, which is extremely important to us since it can often deter listeners from continuing an episode.”

Because video is naturally growing in popularity across Spotify, we’re continuing to invest in ways to make the viewing experience more seamless and delightful for our users, and to allow creators to leverage the format for discovery and growth. Podcast clips, also unveiled at Now Playing, are short-form videos uploaded by creators that are recommended across Spotify surfaces, making it easier for users to discover new shows. Since launching the feature in select markets in November, we’ve seen that clips are 33% more effective than previews at converting browsers into potential listeners.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your content? Get started now with the Spotify Partner Program.

Big ‘Higher Learning’ Fan? We Are Too. Rachel Lindsay Shares Why Video Is Such an Important Part of the Podcast

November 14, 2024

This week, talented creators traveled to Los Angeles to join Spotify for Now Playing, where we unveiled a series of new offerings aimed at helping them better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify and grow their audiences. It was an exciting event that spotlighted our biggest update to podcasts on Spotify—including an exciting evolution of the name and brand of our accompanying platform to Spotify for Creators—all to better serve the multiformat needs of our community.

One creator in attendance was Rachel Lindsay. The attorney, internet personality, author, and Bachelorette star is also the cohost of the Ringer podcast Higher Learning. On the show, Rachel and her cohost Van Lathan dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. At Now Playing, Rachel shared her experience and expertise in a panel titled “Fandoms Are Culture: How Creators & Content Grow on Spotify.”

For the Record caught up with Rachel to learn more about how her show comes together, as well as the creators and artists she’s currently listening to on Spotify.

What inspired you to start your show?

Sometimes other people recognize what is right for you before you can see it for yourself. I always wanted to be in the media but thought that only could be with television. I met Bill Simmons because I was doing some interviews with Juliet Litman on Bachelor Party. I ended up doing some other work with The Ringer, and eventually Bill asked me if I wanted to create a project that was purposeful and I could be proud of. He had an idea and introduced me to my cohost, Van Lathan. We immediately connected and had a brother-sister relationship. Originally we were supposed to start our podcast in March 2020, but COVID hit and changed everything regarding the production and launch of our podcast. We eventually launched in May 2020, which was a very pivotal and dark time for Black people in this country. We decided to change the direction of our podcast to be the pulse of the culture…the rest is Higher Learning history.

How do you select the topics you cover?

We have a topical show that is a reflection of what is happening in the culture. If something is happening in the world, we want people to know that you can find us covering it that week. We select topics by following the news, social media, reading articles, podcasts, and talking with friends. We don’t want to miss breaking news or viral moments. We share stories, ideas, and topics in a group chat and narrow down what is the most effective rundown for our show.

How has working with Spotify helped strengthen your connection with your fans?

Higher Learning was one of the first podcasts to have the video element. This allowed our viewers to feel as if they were sitting at the podcast table with us in an intimate way. Video brings the podcast to life in a different way. My favorite thing is to spot one of our listeners (aka Thought Warriors) in the wild. They will often tell me how they feel like they know us and relate to us, and it is because they can watch us on Spotify with video.

What advice do you have for emerging creators?

There is so much content available out there that covers every genre, topic, etc. What makes the content different is the creator. I would encourage you to find something that you are passionate about and then apply your unique voice and perspective to it because that is what will differentiate you. Do not try to emulate your favorite creator. Learn from them and use them as a guide to build something special.

Are there any Spotify features or tools that are especially helpful for you?

I cannot talk enough about Spotify video!

Who are some of your favorite creators to follow?

Everyone on The Ringer and Ringer Reality TV, Danny Pellegrino, Kid Fury and Crissle, and Natasha Parker.

What are you currently listening to?

Akeem Ali, Tyler, The Creator, Willie Jones, GloRilla, BigXthaPlug, Doechii, and Muni Long.

Rachel Lindsay, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin speak onstage during the “Now Playing” Event

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

Spotify Celebrates Creators and New Creator Offerings in L.A.

November 13, 2024

Some of the world’s top creators descended on Spotify’s Los Angeles campus earlier today for Now Playing, where we unveiled a series of new offerings aimed at helping them better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify and deepen their relationships with audiences.

Among the guests who heard from Spotify leaders and mingled with our partnerships and product team members were Drew Afualo, Emma Chamberlain, Bailey Sarian, Haliey Welch, Jay Shetty, Chris Williamson, Josh Richards, Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry, Zach Justice and Jared Bailey, Don Lemon, Anna Sitar, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, and Andrew Huberman.

Following a keynote from Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek and Co-President Gustav Söderström, creators were invited to attend panels that dove deeper into their business opportunities on Spotify.

From Hobby to Phenomenon: ‘Acquired’ Cohost David Rosenthal on the Secret to Podcast Success

November 13, 2024

Some of the world’s top creators joined Spotify at our L.A. campus today for Now Playing, where we unveiled a series of new offerings aimed at helping them better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify and grow their audiences. This marks our biggest update to podcasts on Spotify, including an exciting evolution of the name and brand of our accompanying platform to Spotify for Creators—all to better serve the multiformat needs of our community.

Guests mingled with Spotify leaders and employees, explored our cutting-edge production facilities, and attended panels to hear more about their business opportunities on Spotify. Among these creators was David Rosenthal, who cohosts Acquired with Ben Gilbert. 

David Rosenthal, Colin Rosenblum, Samir Chaudry and Austin Lamon (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Spotify)

Acquired delves deep into the world’s most fascinating companies, delivering one multihour, meticulously researched episode every six weeks or so. Since debuting in 2015, the show has become a podcast sensation. It has racked up more than 5.2 million listening hours on Spotify since 2019, with consumption hours tripling in the last year alone. And in September, Acquired packed San Francisco’s Chase Center with 6,000 fans for a live show, which included a conversation with Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek.

With so much buzz about the future of podcasting, For the Record caught up with David to learn about Acquired’s origins, the creative process behind the show, and the impact Spotify has had on its journey.

What inspired you to start your show?

We were just friends with a common esoteric interest in company histories and wanted an excuse to scratch that itch and spend more time together. We had no idea or expectations that it would ever amount to anything more than a hobby, let alone change our lives so totally and completely!

How do you select the topics you cover?

We just follow our interests! While we do have a long list of potential future companies to cover, after each episode Ben and I generally just ask ourselves, “What are we most excited about doing right now?” and go with that. Sometimes that’s already on the list and sometimes it’s not.

How has working with Spotify helped strengthen your connection with your fans?

We can’t overstate enough how much Spotify has done to make podcasts mainstream and grow the ecosystem over the past several years. There’s no way we’d be able to reach an audience that’s now in the millions without the platform Spotify has built!

What advice do you have for emerging creators?

One, only do this if you love it. Not because there’s no money in it—there is plenty. But the marketplace for content is so incredibly vast today that unless you’re truly the most obsessed person in the world about your particular niche, someone else will do it better than you. (And they are only one click away, for your audience.) And I think the only way to be the most obsessed person in the world about something is to deeply love it.

Two, quality over quantity—always, always, always. One truly great episode per month is worth infinitely more than four or 10 mediocre ones.

Are there any Spotify features or tools that are especially helpful for you?

We don’t do video often, but when we do for something special (like our recent Chase Center show), being able to have it seamlessly integrate and sync with the audio version on Spotify is tremendously awesome.

Who are some of your favorite creators to follow?

Resonant Arc (deep retro video game analysis). It’s like Acquired for the old-school video games I grew up with.

What are you currently listening to?

Ben Thompson’s [Stratechery episode] on Meta’s AI advantage.

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

Biggest. Change. Ever. Go Inside Spotify for Creators, the New Home of Podcasting on Spotify

November 13, 2024

Big news for creators! Today marks the biggest update to podcasts on Spotify ever—including a new monetization program for video podcasts, improved analytics and audience growth tools, new ways to get your podcast discovered on Spotify, and an exciting evolution of the name and brand of our creator platform. 

We’ve been in the podcast game since 2019, and while the podcast ecosystem is as vibrant as it’s ever been, the definition of a podcast is now more fluid. Creators are experimenting and engaging audiences in new ways through video, and podcast fans want the flexibility to seamlessly watch or listen to content depending on what they are doing. And it’s clear that video is growing: According to our most recent Fan Study, we’ve seen an 88% surge in users consuming video podcasts in the past year alone.

That’s why we’re announcing an exciting leap forward in our creator ecosystem: Spotify for Podcasters is evolving into Spotify for Creators. It’s a whole new chapter in our ongoing mission to give creators the tools to grow, monetize, and manage a show, whether it features audio, video, or both formats. And to mark this journey, we’ve launched a set of new features that make it easy to be successful on Spotify, no matter what type of show a creator has.

We sat down with Maya Prohovnik, Spotify’s Vice President of Podcast Product, to discuss what this means for creators.

Congratulations on this evolution, Maya! What’s driving these changes?

Thank you! It’s a big day for podcast creators on Spotify. We’ve seen some pretty major shifts across the industry in recent years. Creators are experimenting with different formats to draw in more fans, and audiences are changing their behaviors, too, by watching more of their favorite content instead of just listening. More than 250 million users have watched a podcast on Spotify, and nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners say they prefer podcasts with a video option! As podcasts and their creators evolve, so does Spotify. 

We’ve updated the branding of our podcast creator platform from Spotify for Podcasters to Spotify for Creators because it better captures the expansiveness of whom we support today: It’s a platform for both audio and video creators to grow, monetize, and manage content on Spotify. We want to be clear that we’re supporting this evolution and this new generation of podcasters. We’ve massively upgraded our analytics and insights because we know how important understanding is for growth, and giving creators more data continues to be a big area of focus for us.  

You mention video. Can you expand on that?

In general, we have been steadily investing in video because of its growing popularity on our platform, and we’ll always focus on things that we believe will make Spotify an even more powerful destination for creators and listeners. For creators, this has meant more tools to engage and connect with fans, better monetization opportunities, and more ways to be discovered and grow. For listeners, we’ve made some great enhancements to the viewing experience. They can still easily switch between watching or listening—whether they’re on Spotify Premium or Free—and now Premium subscribers can watch their favorite video shows uninterrupted by ads. We’re also giving them more ways to discover content because we know podcast fans are always looking for their next favorite show.  

So, what does this all mean for the creator community? 

We’ve launched some great things for creators today. As mentioned above, the biggest change is that eligible video podcasters now get to offer the best possible version of their content to Spotify Premium subscribers, who can watch it uninterrupted by ads. And they’ll get paid out by Spotify based on actual engagement, which is better for everyone. We’re really excited about this and think this will immediately translate to more audience growth and retention, as well as more revenue, for most video podcasters.

I think podcasters will love the updated Spotify for Creators. This is where any audio or video podcaster can upload their audio and video content, understand their performance with powerful new analytics, interact with their fans, and monetize their show. We’ve also launched new ways for creators to customize their content on Spotify to help them stand out and grow their audience. 

And why should they choose Spotify?

In terms of Why Spotify, creators today should have their content wherever audiences are online. Spotify is one of the largest platforms in the world—we have more than 640 million users and more than 250 million subscribers. So I think the opportunity to reach new, highly engaged audiences is high. We also find that, generally, audiences on Spotify are more likely to stay loyal and return to a show they love, compared to other platforms that are more focused on driving users to viral content. But I don’t think it’s about choosing Spotify instead of other platforms; we understand that creators are multiplatform and multiformat, so our goal is just to make sure that access to Spotify and our audience is as easy as possible. We want every creator to have a path to success on our platform, and with today’s updates, we think that’s more true than ever before. 

What changes are you most excited about?

I’m excited by the opportunities that the Spotify Partner Program—our powerful new monetization program for creators starting in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia—will unlock. We built it to open more ways for them to earn for their work since we know that’s top of mind for many creators today. With this program, creators can earn a revenue share on ads played on or off Spotify, or they can earn based on how much Premium subscribers stream their video content. The video content will be uninterrupted by ads for Premium viewers.  

I also really love our new promotional and discovery features, like custom video thumbnails and podcast clips that we believe will help drive new audiences to shows. We know that both video and audio podcasters are already making promotional clips for their social channels and now, for the first time, they can upload this short-form content directly to Spotify. We’ll surface these clips across Spotify with the goal of converting new potential audiences to stream the full-length episode. And there’s now a Following Feed so audiences can more easily find the content they already know and love, and creators can continue building their loyal fandoms.  

We know this is just the start of great things ahead. How should prospective creators get started with Spotify?

I’d say head to creators.spotify.com to learn more and get started. We can’t wait to hear what you think of all these new features! 

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

The Top Five Just-Debuted Spotify Enhancements That Creators Can’t Miss

November 13, 2024

Today, during our Now Playing event, we unveiled a series of new offerings to help creators grow their audiences and better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify. Let’s explore each of these enhancements to the Spotify platform and better understand what they mean for creators.

1. Introducing new ways to monetize with the Spotify Partner Program

Starting today, qualified creators can sign up to participate in our new monetization program, the Spotify Partner Program, available to creators in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This new program gives creators who host with us and meet our monetization criteria access to multiple revenue streams to help them transform their shows into sustainable businesses, all backed by the power of our teams and technology at Spotify.

Creators in the Spotify Partner Program earn a share of revenue every time an ad (monetized by Spotify) plays in an episode on and off the platform. All a creator has to do is tell us where they want the ads to play, and we’ll take care of the rest.

If you’re a creator who publishes videos on Spotify, you can also earn Premium video revenue through the Spotify Partner Program. With this new revenue stream, when Spotify Premium subscribers in select markets stream video episodes, we’ll serve content to them without dynamic ads to ensure they have an uninterrupted viewing experience. And instead of earning ad revenue for those streams, creators can earn based on how much their fans stream their content. The greater the number of fans who watch or listen to your podcast, the more creators can earn. 

The new Spotify Partner Program can support creators who want to start earning more consistently for their audio or video work.

2. Reach new audiences on Spotify with video clips and thumbnails 

We’re continuing to invest in new ways to manage a show’s presence on Spotify so creators can capture the attention of potential fans or followers. These features will help creators stand out with videos, show up in more places on Spotify, and look their best once they are there.

Get discovered by uploading short-form video clips

Whether a creator is making an audio or video podcast, they’re probably already creating short-form video content to promote their show across social media platforms like TikTok, Shorts, Reels, or all of the above. We know that these clips are great at driving engagement, but they don’t necessarily translate to more streams of a show. 

That’s why we’re thrilled to share that creators can now upload clips directly to Spotify, where audiences already are. To start, clips can be up to 90 seconds long, and creators can upload one clip per episode. Episode clips can then be recommended across Spotify app surfaces like the Home feed, Podcasts feed, Browse, the Now Playing view, and more. Clips will also always be visible on show pages, allowing potential audiences to preview your latest episodes. 

Our goal is not to make our platform yet another place to watch short-form content. We want to help people find their next favorite shows where they are ready to immediately listen or watch, ultimately driving more streams of full-length episodes. 

Clips are now in beta on Spotify for Creators in select markets, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia (see full list here). 

Customize video thumbnails for every episode 

Creators have always been able to set episode-level podcast art for audio episodes on Spotify, but now they can upload video thumbnails too. Creators can choose a Spotify-generated 16:9 thumbnail or replace our suggestion by uploading their own. Video thumbnails are displayed and optimized across our mobile, desktop, and TV app experiences to help grab the attention of potential viewers. 

All creators can now upload thumbnails for new episodes and their entire back catalogs. 

3. New analytics to help you learn and grow

We know how critical it is for creators to understand their performance and have as much data as possible to help make decisions about their shows. For creators hosted on Spotify, we’ve redesigned our dashboard on the web to bring these key metrics to the forefront. Creators can always get a quick pulse check of how a show is performing and navigate directly to the right parts of our app to take action. 

At a glance, creators will be able to: 

  • See how many Spotify followers they have and how that growth rate changes over time. 
  • Track the performance of their latest episodes, including how many streams, consumption hours, and comments they have.
  • Visualize their audiences’ journeys to discovering content, including the number of people they are reaching, the number showing interest, and the number converted to streams on Spotify. 
  • View the latest comments so they can like and reply to favorites to build fan community on Spotify.

4. Elevating the video discovery and viewing experiences on Spotify

We’re excited to highlight several improvements to the video experience itself on Spotify, including:

  • Personalized video recommendations throughout the app
  • Playback improvements like thumbnail scrubbing, pinch-to-zoom, video chapters, and a toggle to make it easy to switch between the video and audio experiences
  • Comments that make it easy for audiences to share feedback and for creators to build fan community on Spotify
  • A following filter on the Podcasts feed so audiences can quickly find content they already know and love 

5. The future is bright (and multiformat)

Regardless of where a podcast is hosted (or if a show isn’t yet on Spotify), it’s easy for creators to get up and running with these great new features. Suppose you’re a creator who is already making videos. In that case, we encourage you to start uploading your video episodes through our newly refreshed hub for creators, Spotify for Creators, and check your eligibility for the Spotify Partner Program. If video isn’t for you, that’s okay too—we offer free podcast hosting, distribution to all major podcast listening platforms, and ad monetization in select markets.

We’re excited to see how Spotify can be a launchpad for your creativity and how it can provide creators with the right tools to tap into over 600 million listeners around the world.

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

Spotify Unveils Uninterrupted Video Podcasts, Audience-Driven Payments, and the New Spotify for Creators Platform

November 13, 2024

Live from Spotify’s LA campus, today we announced a series of new offerings aimed at helping creators significantly grow their audiences and better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify. During Now Playing, some of the world’s leading creators, artists, and authors joined us for valuable updates on our business from company executives, connected with Spotify’s Creator Partnerships team, and explored our state-of-the-art video and audio production facilities.

Daniel Ek (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Spotify)

“Spotify Premium has long set the standard for listening on any device,” shared Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek. “By delivering a best-in-class video offering uninterrupted by ad breaks, combined with Spotify’s flexibility and ubiquity, we can provide an experience for your audience that is superior to any platform. And by giving you, the creators, another path to monetization beyond ads, we’re freeing you up to spend more time doing what you love: creating.”

So, what’s in store for creators? They’ll be part of a new and industry-leading audience-driven payout model for Premium video consumption, and their fans will now get video content uninterrupted by ads. Spotify’s Partner Program, a brand-new monetization program for creators hosted with Spotify, will launch that allows creators to earn more for their audio and video content. This program will offer both audience-driven payouts from our premium video revenue and an Ads component.

Spotify is one of the largest platforms in the world for creators, with more than 640 million users and more than 250 million subscribers. Video consumption is rapidly growing on Spotify, so we’re improving the viewing experience and equipping creators with the tools and resources they need to connect with fans, grow, and monetize. 

We’ve seen shifts in podcast trends across the industry globally, and one of them is that video consumption hours have expanded rapidly—more than 250 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify, and nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners say they prefer podcasts with video.

The number of creators actively publishing videos monthly on Spotify has grown by more than 50% year over year. There are now more than 300,000 video podcast shows on Spotify, including popular shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, Rotten Mango, The Comment Section with Drew Afualo, Therapuss with Jake Shane, What Now? with Trevor Noah, Modern Wisdom, Erika Taught Me, and more. We’ve also recently activated music videos in 85 additional markets, and the engagement has continued to soar.

Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Spotify

“By many metrics, it is the fastest way to succeed on Spotify today. Half of the new podcasts that build sustained audiences include video,” said Spotify Co-President and Chief Product Officer Gustav Söderström. “And with the new tools, features, and experiences we’re launching, we expect that edge will continue to grow. This is an opportunity for everyone in the room and beyond.”

For creators 

How does it all work? Whether someone is a current audio-only podcaster, new to embracing video on our platform, or an established video creator not yet on Spotify, our latest video offerings will unlock additional paths to monetization and growth.

Monetize
Eligible creators can apply now to join the Spotify Partner Program. This new monetization program opens more opportunities for creators to earn revenue for their content and transform their shows into sustainable businesses. The Spotify Partner Program has two components: Premium Video Revenue and Ads. Both programs will be available to creators to earn revenue based on video consumption from Spotify Premium subscribers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia beginning in January.

Grow
We’re evolving our podcaster platform to better serve the needs of today’s multiformat creators with a more expansive and streamlined hub: Spotify for Creators.

Connect
We’re creating more opportunities for creators to deepen connections with their fans and deliver the best video-viewing experience with Spotify.

Discover
We’re introducing video clips for creators to enhance discoverability and promote their podcast episodes on Spotify.

Click to read more details about these new opportunities and programs for creators and consumers.

“This is an opportunity for everyone in the room and beyond,” Gustav continued. “Our goal is to build the best experience for you so that you can better connect with your audience. And deliver your creativity to the world.”

For the fans

As we’ve made it easier for fans to navigate and discover music, podcasts, and audiobooks on Spotify, we’re leveraging our platform’s flexibility to give fans new ways to experience video. 

In addition to Premium subscribers in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada getting video content uninterrupted by ads beginning in January, we’re making it easy for fans to stream their favorite video content in the foreground or background without disrupting the experience—whether they are using Spotify Free or Premium. For example, they can begin an episode while getting ready for the day, watching in the foreground before slipping their phones into their pockets to continue listening in the background as they commute. 

Fans can expect an array of great video features, including chapters, comments, pinch-to-zoom, thumbnail scrubbing, and new ways to find and go deep on podcasts.

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

Spotify NextGen Spelman College Partnership With Podcast Studio Opening

October 22, 2024

In 2022, Spotify’s partnership with Spelman College took flight as part of our NextGen audio program that aims to infuse, activate, and grow podcast culture around historically black colleges and universities. Part of our larger Creator Equity Fund program, NextGen has helped develop curricula, awarded scholarships to promising Spelman undergraduates, supported the development and production of student podcasts, and hosted a creator day on campus. 

This successful partnership recently concluded with the official opening of Spelman’s on-campus podcast studio, which was fully refurbished by the Spotify Creator Equity Fund. To celebrate, we hosted a special event that brought aspiring student podcasters and industry pros together for an evening of networking and discussion. 

In the highlight of the evening, we hosted a dynamic panel conversation titled, “Spotify NextGen: Pass the Mic,” hosted by Therapy for Black Girls founder and popular podcaster, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford. The conversation brought together two Spelman alums—Lynae Vanee (C’2016) and Jaz Turner (C’2019)—as well as Clarke Peoples to discuss their experiences as creators and the impact of using their voices in the audio media industry.

Music Videos in Beta Brings an Improved Viewing Experience to New Markets

October 15, 2024

Earlier this year, Spotify introduced music videos in beta, giving Premium subscribers in 12 markets another way to connect with the songs and artists they love. Today we are starting to roll out that offering across 85 additional markets, giving even more Premium subscribers the opportunity to dive into the visual worlds of artists like Charli xcx, LISA, Fontaines D.C., Nick Ward, Anirudh Ravichander, and Fireboy DML. 

Music videos are a powerful way to build connections between artists and fans. In fact, users who discover a song and then watch the music video on Spotify are 34% more likely on average to stream the song again the following week.* And on average, songs discovered with music videos are 24% more likely to be saved or shared in the following week by those who watched. 

Music videos help immerse fans in the experience—whether they’re listening to a new song or revisiting an old favorite. As part of this expansion, Spotify is also adding new features to make the music videos in beta experience even better. These include:

  • Fans can easily find and discover new music videos to watch (on mobile and desktop) with video indicators on tracks.
  • Users can also more easily find the music video they’re looking for alongside its related track by typing the track or artist into search.

In addition, users will now have the option to seamlessly switch between music tracks and videos with a single tap of a button (on mobile and desktop).

Want to give it a try? Here’s how it works:

  • If you’re a Premium subscriber in one of our 97 beta markets, open Spotify on your iOS, Android, desktop, or TV device and tap the “Switch to video” button for music tracks with video. 
  • The music video will start playing within the Now Playing view, picking up right where you left off.
  • If you want to return to background listening, simply press “Switch to audio” to head back to the music track.
  • You can even watch the music video in full screen by turning your mobile device to watch in landscape mode.

The beta version of music videos on Spotify is starting to roll out in new markets today with a limited catalog of music videos — and will continue rolling out over the next few weeks. We’re always working to build lasting connections between artists and fans, adding features like Countdown Pages, Canvas, Clips from your artists, Artist Profiles, Live Events, and Merch to deliver a rich music listening experience. And for Premium subscribers, music videos in beta—along with offerings like DJ, Jam, and AI Playlist—is yet another way we’re making that experience even richer. 

Stay tuned, as we hope to expand the catalog of music videos, share new places for you to watch them, and take the feature to more users and markets.

 

*Than users who discover the song but do not watch the music video.

Introducing the RADAR Creators U.S. Class of 2024

October 9, 2024

Discovery is at the heart of what we do at Spotify, and since 2020, our RADAR program has helped introduce rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising creators in more than 30 markets to new audiences around the world. 

Previously, we’ve supported creators through our global RADAR Podcasters playlist. But as more creators experiment and engage audiences through both video and audio, we want to be inclusive of all the ways they’re expressing their creativity. That is why we are expanding RADAR Podcasters to be RADAR Creators, reflecting our commitment to supporting creators across all formats on Spotify. In addition, we’re expanding the reach of RADAR Creators to several new markets: the U.S., Australia, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico.

To kick off RADAR Creators, we’re announcing our U.S. Class of 2024. Featuring diverse and engaging voices, these five shows cover topics that span pop culture, sports, wellness, true crime, and comedy. 

Here’s the scoop on the new RADAR Creators class.

Joy of Missing Out

After spending their twenties working for other people, Chloe Shih and Eric Wei are betting on themselves as they navigate their thirties. With their video podcast Joy of Missing Out, the two hosts provide listeners with a fresh and engaging perspective on taking “the road less traveled” and not conforming to societal expectations.

I’m Right You’re Wrong

We all have those friends we love to get into debates with over brunch. And every week on I’m Right You’re Wrong, hosts Isa Medina—who previously cohosted the hit podcast Sounds Like a Cult—and Lydia Keating explore the ethical questions that people in their twenties and thirties face every day by picking a side and engaging in a humorous debate. So if you’re unsure of where you land on nepo babies, or whether dating a friend’s ex is right or wrong, this is the video podcast for you. 

 

Small Ball with Kenny Beecham 

A self-described NBA super fan, Kenny Beecham has built up a dedicated following as a video creator who talks all things basketball. With a new season of hoops around the corner, Small Ball with Kenny Beecham is back to keep you up-to-date on all the action.

Black People Love Paramore

Every Thursday, Black People Love Paramore explores the niche interests of Black people that might seem random at first glance but are definitely a thing. From anime to Tony Hawk to title inspiration Paramore, host Sequoia Holmes aims to make Black listeners feel seen and connected through this lighthearted, Webby Award–nominated dive into pop culture. 

PRETEND

PRETEND offers a fresh approach on the true crime genre by uncovering the stories of the most notorious scams and con jobs. Host Javier Leiva pulls back the curtain on cult leaders and undercover FBI agents, exposing the transgressive masterminds who pretended to be someone they weren’t. 

Discover even more rising creators by visiting our RADAR Creators hub on Spotify.

Spotify’s Biggest German-Language Podcast, ‘Gemischtes Hack,’ Returns With a New Twist: Video

September 27, 2024

Since landing on Spotify in 2019, German-language podcast Gemischtes Hack has grown to become not just one of our most-streamed podcasts globally, but our most popular podcast in Germany. 

And earlier this month, hosts Tommi Schmitt and Felix Lobrecht returned from their summer break ready to record a fresh season of the wildly successful podcast in a brand-new studio that the pair built in collaboration with Spotify. 

Fans Get In on the Fun With Live Podcast Recordings During The Ringer Residency

August 22, 2024

Laughter, energy, camaraderie—these are just a few of the elements that come to life when a podcast is recorded in front of an audience, rather than in a sound-proof studio. To create more opportunities for hosts and fans to commune during these live recordings, Spotify’s The Ringer recently hosted their Summer Ringer Residency.

Taking place at the famed El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, the residency featured live podcast events for six Ringer shows: The Ringer NBA Show, Talk the Thrones, The Big Picture, The Ringer-Verse, Wrighty’s House, and The Ringer Fantasy Football Show.

For the Record caught up with Geoff Chow, Head of Podcast Studios & Managing Director for The Ringer, to learn more about the residency and the appeal of live podcast recordings.

What have you learned from this first-ever Ringer Residency?

It was a great display of the power of Ringer fandom and a showcase of the broad range of Ringer content from sports—basketball and both kinds of football—to cultural tentpoles like movies, prestige television, and nerd culture. Operationally, the events team led by Elizabeth Fierman did an amazing job putting together an experience that both the hosts and their audiences loved. We observed ways we can continue to grow our events with different markets, sponsorship partners, and content that we’re excited to continue exploring.

How do live podcasts offer a unique experience for both podcast hosts and listeners? 

Podcast listening tends to be a fairly solitary experience—in your headphones, while you’re commuting, at the gym—but people build such a strong connection with their favorite hosts. To bring hundreds of people together to experience their favorite shows at a live event, laughing at the same inside jokes and feeling a common bond with others in the crowd, it feels like an instant community, tied together by their shared interest. Being part of that is a special experience. For hosts, who are used to recording in-studio or even at home, getting to hear laughter and real-time reactions is a rush and fosters an even deeper connection to their audience.

Why is it important for The Ringer and Spotify to put on IRL events like this?

At The Ringer, we have always focused on creating content for consumers in the way they want to engage with it. We’re thrilled that audiences choose to spend so many hours per week reading, listening, and watching our content. To be able to bring that to a live experience only strengthens the creator-audience relationship. Building community and creating meaningful experiences for fans develops a deeper affinity for our brand and content. As an audience engagement tool it takes fandom to a different level.

If you didn’t get a chance to attend one of the live recordings, you can still listen to each of the episodes on demand. Below we’ve rounded up the podcasts and the episodes recorded over the summer.

The Ringer NBA Show

Justin, Rob, and Wos start by discussing the Celtics’ NBA Finals victory and Joe Mazzulla’s status as a coach, and debate who’s going to be the Jrue Holiday of this offseason. Next, Chris Ryan joins for an offseason preview. With the upcoming NBA draft, the guys bring on J. Kyle Mann to discuss the perception of this year’s class, all the noise around Bronny James, and more. 

Talk the Thrones

Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin, and Joanna Robinson convene to discuss the latest episodes of House of the Dragon as they entertain fan questions, have in-depth chats, and play fun games in this live show. 

The Big Picture

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins discuss movies you need to see, alongside special guest and Ringer colleague Chris Ryan. The topic for this special live recording is 2000s summer blockbusters.

The Ringer-Verse

The Ringer’s expert superfans converse about favorite shows and movies happening this summer. Check out the episode for all of the fun from The Midnight Boys, House of R, the Bad Babies, and the Midnight Mafia.

The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

The guys start with some of the biggest training camp storylines. Next, they play a game of “20s or 40s?” to determine which veteran fantasy stars are still attractive draft picks this season. Along the way, they determine how the D.I.C.A.P.R.I.O. system applies to their favorite aging RBs. They wrap with an Oreos taste test and a special (in person) edition of emails.

Wrighty’s House

Former Arsenal and England National Team striker Ian Wright discusses the latest football headlines, as well as his cultural passions. 

 

Want more live shows from The Ringer? Check out this hub on Spotify.