Tag: video podcasts

Spotify’s Partner Program Helps Creators Increase Revenue and Consumption of Video Podcasts

February 13, 2025

Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new monetization system for creators in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Just one month in, we’re already seeing the positive impacts on consumption and revenue growth for enrolled creators. 

First announced at our Now Playing event, the Spotify Partner Program offers creators multiple revenue streams, including audience-driven payouts from Spotify Premium video engagement (in select markets), as well as ad monetization on Spotify Free and other podcast platforms. The flexibility gives creators greater control over their businesses, helping them adapt to shifts in the growing podcast audience while driving incremental revenue.

The results also speak for themselves: Spotify’s video podcast consumption is up more than 20% since the program’s launch, with payouts to creators in January increasing by 300% compared to the same period a year ago. In addition, hundreds of creators surpassed $10,000 in monthly revenue on Spotify in that same time, with the top earners crossing well into six figures in the first month alone.

Video podcasts that have experienced success through the Spotify Partner Program include Modern Wisdom, hosted by Chris Williamson, which increased consumption on Spotify by 36%; We’re All Insane, the mental health podcast hosted by Devorah Roloff, which earned more than $17,000; and Kinda Funny Gamecast, a video game podcast that’s earned $10,000. 

As video consumption continues to grow on Spotify, we aim to give creators more opportunities to earn while giving our users a more seamless and delightful viewing experience. 

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

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.

Our Wrapped for Creators Experience Toasts 2024 Podcast Listening

December 4, 2024

More than half a billion people have listened to a podcast on Spotify as part of their daily routines since 2019, proving that the medium is a favorite for listeners. And with more than 6 million podcasts on the platform, it’s clear that creators feel at home with us.

As the year comes to a close, our Wrapped experience celebrates the milestones, trends, and special creator/fan connection we saw with podcasts in 2024. For the first time ever, we’re introducing Your Podcast Clips so podcast fans can enjoy end-of-year messages from some of their favorite podcast creators, and we’re highlighting some of our top lists—breakout creators (more than half the podcasts that charted in 2024 were not on the charts in 2023!), top video podcasts, most anticipated podcasts, and more—for listeners in our Wrapped podcast editorial hub. We’re also giving podcast creators a chance to learn more about their audiences and milestones from the year with our sixth-annual Wrapped for Creators.

Let’s look back at what was trending in the podcast space in 2024 and what creators can expect to find in their Wrapped for Creators experience.

Trending…trending…1, 2, 3

Niche audiences are at the heart of podcasting. True crime buffs have Crime Junkie, Reddit lovers turn to Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, and sports fans get their fix with The Bill Simmons Podcast. The great thing about listeners’ having millions of shows at their fingertips on Spotify is that they can find like-minded individuals or experts talking about practically any subject of interest on a podcast.

As the podcast space continues to grow, we’re seeing the format evolve and video podcasts grow in popularity—in the past year, there’s been an 88% surge in users’ consuming video podcasts. With more than 300,000 video podcasts on Spotify, we’re giving fans a new way to enjoy their favorite shows, allowing them to feel like they are in the room with the host. The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy, and Gemischtes Hack are three of the top video podcasts globally for 2024.

Personalized Wrapped experiences for creators

As podcast fans indulge in the revelation of their 2024 listening habits, creators can also dive deep into personalized data with Wrapped for Creators. This experience offers millions of podcasters a unique opportunity to celebrate their milestones from the past year and discover how their podcasts resonated with fans across the world. 

“Wrapped for Creators helps podcasters better understand their global audiences, celebrate their fans, and see the macro trends that shaped our year,” said Jordan Newman, Head of Content Partnerships at Spotify. “Video has officially taken off, comments are fueling creator and fan connection, and more and more shows are gaining global fan bases.”

Creators will receive data stories about their growth from the past year, their top episodes, fan engagement trends, and more. 

If you’re a creator looking for your 2024 Wrapped, you can access your custom “Wrapped for Creators” experience through the Spotify for Creators dashboard, regardless of where you host your show. 

Explore your personalized 2024 Wrapped and learn more about this year’s campaign and experience on our 2024 Wrapped hub.

Podcasts Are Booming in Spain—Here Are Five Shows Driving the Surge

October 30, 2024

In recent years, Spain’s podcast scene has exploded, becoming a top source of entertainment, education, and conversation. From comedy to thought-provoking cultural discussions, Spanish podcasts are captivating audiences across the country.

Spotify highlighted this growth earlier this month in Madrid at Next in Podcast, our first event dedicated to the medium and its evolution in Spain. Our data has revealed a surge in consumption, with the number of podcast listeners in Spain increasing by more than 30% year over year.

Video podcasts have emerged as the star format, with Spotify seeing a remarkable 70% increase in video podcast consumption in Spain over the past year. Nine out of 10 viewers are fully engaged, watching these episodes in the foreground. Today, Spain is the second-fastest-growing market for video podcasts in Europe.

For Spanish-language listeners on the hunt for new shows, here are five Spanish podcasts at the forefront of this exciting evolution.

NUDE PROJECT PODCAST

Hosted by fashion entrepreneurs Bruno and Alex, NUDE PROJECT PODCAST features interviews with prominent figures across music, business, philosophy, psychology, and sports.  Guests like Quevedo, Becky G, and Marc Cucurella draw a predominantly under-35 audience, solidifying the podcast’s cultural relevance among younger generations. In just one year, the show has seen its monthly listenership explode on Spotify.

Start here:

La Ruina

Hosted by stand-up comedians Tomás and Ignasi, La Ruina is recorded live in theaters across Spain. Audience members are invited to share their most hilariously disastrous stories, competing for the coveted “ruina” (wrecked) title. Each episode, a celebrity guest adds to the comedy by recounting their own ruinous experiences. With consistently sold-out shows and a growing line of merchandise, La Ruina is a certified phenomenon.

Start here:

No es el fin del mundo

Navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world can be daunting. No es el fin del mundo breaks down international topics and geopolitical events into an easily digestible format, helping listeners make sense of everything from ongoing conflicts to economic trends.

Start here:

El Podcast de Marian Rojas Estapé

Marian Rojas Estapé continues to promote emotional well-being and lead the mental health podcast space with the latest season of her eponymous show. As the most-streamed mental health show in Spanish worldwide, it demystifies complex psychiatric topics, making them accessible to a global audience.

Start here:

Sofá, manta y crimen

On Sofá, manta y crimen, hosts Coral and Yayo blend captivating true crime storytelling with comedic flair. Named one of Spotify’s RADAR Spain Creators in 2023, the show has grown increasingly popular in other Spanish-speaking countries, consistently charting in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.

Start here:

Bonus recommendations

For our true crime fans, check out these other hit shows:

    • Terrores Nocturnos: Blends horror and true crime for a spine-chilling listening experience.
    • Criminopatía: Offers in-depth analyses of infamous criminal cases. 
    • Crims: A Catalan-language podcast focused on crimes in Catalonia.

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. 

250,000 Video Podcasts and Counting: Creators and Audiences Are Embracing Video Content on Spotify

June 28, 2024

As one of the most powerful forms of human expression today, video ​​is becoming core to the global Spotify experience. We have been steadily investing in the format to connect creators and fans in new, deeper ways on our platform, from the recent launch of music videos in beta to testing video-based learning courses in the U.K. But the medium has seen the most growth in the podcasting space, where video is truly changing the game—in fact, more than 170 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify.

Spotify introduced video podcasts for a select number of shows in 2020, and we’ve since made the format available for creators in nearly every market. We recently made it possible for non-hosted podcast creators to upload video to Spotify for the first time, opening up yet another avenue for their engagement and success.

All the while, video podcasts have been growing in popularity, with creators around the world leaning into the format to deepen engagement with their fans. More than half of the top 20 podcasts on Spotify have video, including heavy hitters like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy. The format is resonating with audiences, who want to be able to choose how to engage with their favorite content. Globally on Spotify, the average daily streams of video podcasts have increased by more than 39% year-over-year. In the U.S., nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners say they prefer shows with video, according to a recent Cumulus Media survey.

“Spotify is always evolving to better serve our users and drive success for creators,” said Jordan Newman, Head of Content Partnerships at Spotify. “With podcasts, the video format can add an additional layer of authenticity and connection for fans. That’s why we continue to hear that audiences want the ability to not only listen, but also watch their favorite shows. And we see that in the data: Audience retention increases when creators add video—and every creator wants a loyal, highly engaged fan base that keeps coming back.”

“We continue to see demand for video from both creators and their audiences,” Newman continued. “The number of creators publishing video each month keeps growing, and more and more of our users are watching. As demand continues to rise, we will keep enhancing our video capabilities.”

The rise of video content on Spotify

Globally, video consumption hours on Spotify have grown faster than audio-only consumption hours year-over-year, and audiences retain video podcasts at higher rates than audio podcasts. But what exactly does that growth look like? During VidCon 2024 this week, Spotify revealed new stats around the popularity of video as a medium on our platform.

  • There are now more than 250,000 video podcast shows on Spotify—up from 100,000 in 2023.
  • More than 170 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify.
  • More than 70% of users consuming video podcasts watch them in the foreground. 
  • On Spotify, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. podcast monthly active users (MAUs) engage with video, while nearly 1 in 4 global podcast MAUs engage with video. Globally, the number of video podcast MAUs has grown by 40% year-over-year.
  • The number of creators actively publishing video each month has grown nearly 70% year-over-year.
  • The largest markets by creators publishing video are the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico.
  • In Brazil and the Philippines, roughly 20% of all monthly active podcast creators are publishing video. This share has nearly doubled since last year.
  • At the market level, especially in Chile and Brazil, we are seeing video grow its share of total podcast consumption hours. In Chile, video hours make up a quarter of total podcast consumption hours. In Brazil, video hours make up more than 15% of total podcast consumption hours.

For creators on Spotify, video offers a huge opportunity to deliver content to new global audiences. For the Record spoke with Jon Youshaei, host of the popular weekly podcast Created with Jon Youshaei, about the medium and its impact.

What are the benefits of video for creators?

Video has been our edge, especially when it comes to our intros. A lot of viewers comment on how our podcast intros feel like mini movie trailers. We spend a lot of time picking the right sound bites, using sound design, and adding graphics to draw you in. During the actual interview, we create a lot of custom visuals, which often get shared on social media afterwards to help draw even more people back to our Spotify page.

What are some of the content trends you’re seeing right now?

We’re living in the super-long-form era. The pendulum is swinging from short form back to longer viewing sessions as creators start to rival traditional Hollywood shows when it comes to consumption. Video plays a huge role in this, especially as more people start to watch creator content on their TVs.

You’ve been called “The Creators’ Creator.” What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring video content creators?

There are three phases to the creator journey: Upload, upgrade, and upscale. If you’re starting out, just focus on uploading. Get your reps in. Learn the craft. After that, it’s time to start upgrading your gear: Get a better microphone, camera, and think more about your production quality. After that, it’s important to upscale your team, hire, and create processes to sustain your business. Most creators get overwhelmed because they try to upgrade before they upload. Or they think they have to upscale their team on day one. The order of the phases—and what you do during each phase—matters a lot.

How have Spotify’s different creator tools and resources helped you?

Spotify has been essential to building our show—and the community around it. One of my favorite features is the audience polling. We use it to ask whom we should interview next, get insights on episodes, or ask for feedback. Spotify has also been helpful in providing the support and analytics so we can double down on what’s working.

At Spotify, we’re committed to building the best podcast and video tools for creators to make great content, find new audiences, and grow. To that end, our Spotify for Podcasters platform will host a video-related Masterclass on July 25. Led by Jordan, it will feature two masters of the video format: Colin and Samir, cohosts of The Colin and Samir Show. Click here to register.

Advertisers and Creators Come Together at Our First-Ever Spotify Sparks in London

May 2, 2024

With more than 600 million users around the world tuned in to Spotify, there’s no shortage of opportunity for brands and businesses to connect with their fans in creative ways on our platform.

Last year, we launched Spotify Sparks to help educate advertisers on why Spotify is the destination for reaching the most engaged audiences and leveraging culture-shaping content for impactful advertising campaigns. Following two successful summits in Brazil and India, we brought Spotify Sparks to the U.K. for the first-ever London edition. On May 1, Spotify executives, industry leaders, content creators, and advertisers gathered for a series of live discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions that explored the full power of the Spotify ecosystem.

During the event, Grace Kao, Spotify’s Global Head of Advertising Business Marketing, moderated a conversation with Alex Norström, Spotify’s Co-President and Chief Business Officer, about the evolution of Spotify as a platform and the growth of our global advertising business.

We’re sharing highlights from Grace’s conversation with Alex, as well as Grace’s insights about the inaugural event, the latest ad experience innovations, the feel-good power of audio, and more.

Alex, what have been the most memorable moments of growth during your 13-year Spotify tenure?

Alex: For me, it’s been when we’ve had to bet the farm and commit surgery on ourselves a couple of times. Moments when you ask, Are we really going to do that? The first was when the world shifted from desktop to mobile—clearly evident now, not so much at the time. It paid off, we basically got a ton of growth, and in one month we grew more than the 12 months prior. Same with podcasts. We’re now in our second phase of podcasts, but a few years ago we had to start and establish our reach.

Has adding Audiobooks in Premium been another one of those moments?

Alex: I think so. The moment started last year, when we took a hard look at our proposition and saw there was so much consumer surplus. People spend hours and hours on our product. So, it was the right time to raise prices. This was new for us. But at the same time, we’re putting more value back in. An example being audiobooks, but also music videos and AI Playlist. We keep adding features to reinvest back proportionally.

Something that people don’t realize and we don’t talk about much is that our innovation is feature-led. We’ve been innovating in features—AI DJ, Spotify Connect, and daylist are good examples. Instead of leaning back and just letting the AI and the ML take care of how users interact with Spotify, we actively construct and innovate on features. Which I love.

And what advice can you share with these marketers at Spotify Sparks?

Alex: I’ll talk about marketing from our perspective. We saw a few years ago that as the cost of media increases, the price of advertising goes up. So whether you’re a global brand or a start-up, it’s more expensive to market. When things are expensive, they are riskier. So, you naturally become more risk-averse. 

We always try to look at things differently. So we said, If you have millions of users, you can tell compelling stories on the platform. You can talk to the users about their consumption on the platform and what’s relevant. And the hope is they then share with their friends on their networks.

That’s what Wrapped is. When you hit the spot, it’s amazing—it’s marketing and messaging that is very efficient. And we see great growth and retention.

Siete podcasters colombianos que la van a romper en 2024

February 7, 2024

Spotify es el hogar de más de 5 millones de pódcast. Desde historias de vida impactantes hasta consejos para conquistar el mundo, el medio ofrece a los fans incontables horas de contenido en un formato que se adapta a cualquier momento de tu vida.

En Colombia, los oyentes se vuelcan en masa a los pódcast. La generación Z tiene una afinidad especial con ellos, de hecho, en Spotify, representan el 41% de los consumidores de videopodcasts en el país. Estos oyentes prefieren empezar el día con podcasts —la hora de mayor audiencia es de 6 a 8 de la mañana— que tratan sobre música, salud y bienestar, cultura y sociedad, y mucho más.

Para los oyentes de habla hispana en busca de nuevos programas, hemos reunido algunas de nuestras principales recomendaciones de pódcast para 2024. Estos creadores colombianos cubren una amplia gama de temas, desde chismes hasta historias inspiradoras, así que hay algo para todos:

Gordas De Envidia de Camilo Pulgarín

En Gordas De Envidia de Camilo Pulgarín, su alter ego, María José, entretiene a sus seguidores con chismes, preguntas picantes y anécdotas divertidas de sus invitados, que incluyen personalidades de redes sociales y artistas de Medellín. El show ha duplicado su número de oyentes desde sus primeros 30 días en la plataforma y es uno de los podcasts favoritos de los usuarios entre 18 y 24 años. 

Episodio más escuchado:

No Me Rindo By Silvy Araujo

Silvy Araujo es uno de los nombres más conocidos del mundo fitness en Colombia. Esta entrenadora certificada y empresaria nacida en Cartagena ha creado una comunidad con el lema “No me rindo”, y su frase insignia es también el título de su pódcast. En su programa, Silvy comparte historias que van más allá de la vida sana. Su audiencia en Spotify está formada principalmente por usuarios entre 18 y 29 años de países como Colombia, Estados Unidos y España. El pódcast de Silvy ha escalado posiciones, con 13 episodios que han hecho parte  del top 100 diario de Spotify en Colombia.

Episodio más escuchado:

Táchalo – El Podcast De Sajú

Las mentes detrás de Sajú, uno de los emprendimientos con compromiso ambiental más reconocidos del país, crearon su pódcast para compartir la filosofía “Táchalo”, que, según su descripción, “busca arriesgarse a lo diferente, incómodo o difícil para hacer todas esas cosas que tenemos escritas en las notas de nuestros celulares”.

Su pódcast comparte historias de personas que se han atrevido a llevar estas notas a la realidad y tachar cosas increíbles. El programa es popular entre oyentes de 18 a 24 años, y el pódcast ha crecido un 265% desde su primer mes en la plataforma en comparación con los últimos 30 días.

Episodio más escuchado:

Los Platos Sucios De La Rubia Inmoral

Ana María Cardona, conocida en las redes sociales como La Rubia Inmoral, utiliza su pódcast para examinar la vida, especialmente desde la perspectiva de una mujer. 

En Spotify, la audiencia de su programa está formada principalmente por usuarios de 18 a 29 años de Colombia, Estados Unidos y España. Desde su debut en 2021, Los Platos Sucios De La Rubia Inmoral  ha visto aumentar su audiencia en un 85% desde el primer mes en la plataforma, en comparación con el último. El programa también ha visto 41 de sus episodios entrar en la lista de los 100 más escuchados en Colombia en Spotify.

Episodio más escuchado: 

VOS PODÉS de Tatiana Franko

Tatiana Franko, periodista que ha trabajado en televisión durante más de 10 años, traslada sus habilidades como entrevistadora al formato pódcast con su programa VOS PODÉS de Tatiana Franko. “VOS PODÉS” se ha convertido en su frase característica y es el mensaje que quiere transmitir a los oyentes. 

En su videopodcast comparte las historias de personas que han pasado por situaciones muy difíciles. Desde su primer mes, el pódcast ha multiplicado por 50 el número de oyentes. También ha conseguido que 64 episodios lleguen a la lista de los 100 más escuchados en Colombia en Spotify.

Episodio más escuchado: 

Vivir Sin Permiso Con Abi

En este pódcast, Daniela Abisambra deconstruye lo que significa vivir la vida según tus propios criterios. Sus episodios incluyen charlas con invitados de la industria del entretenimiento y las redes sociales. Vivir Sin Permiso Con Abi ha posicionado cuatro episodios en la lista de los 100 más escuchados en Colombia en Spotify. La audiencia del show incluye principalmente jóvenes de 18 a 24 años en Colombia, México y Estados Unidos.

Episodio más escuchado:

Aleja y La Grúa Podcast

En su videopodcast Aleja y La Grúa comentan con los oyentes historias que les resultan familiares. Sus divertidos comentarios son un éxito entre los seguidores, y han contribuido a que 60 de sus episodios entren en la lista de los 100 más escuchados en Colombia en Spotify. 

El éxito del programa ha trascendido países y también es popular en Estados Unidos, España, Costa Rica, Australia y México. 

Episodio más escuchado:

 

Echa un vistazo a esta lista de reproducción de pódcast para ver un resumen de los programas que hemos destacado más arriba. Desde historias reveladoras hasta lágrimas de risa, la lista de reproducción incluye algo para todos los gustos. 

Connect Patreon to Spotify and Stream Your Favorite Podcasts in One Place

August 9, 2023

You can’t get enough of your favorite podcasts—and your favorite creators can’t get enough of your listening, either. Many podcasters have turned to Patreon to add an income stream by sharing paid content directly to fans. Starting today, you can connect your Spotify and Patreon accounts to access patron-exclusive podcasts right where you’re already listening to your favorite audio content. 

This news builds on our March announcement that we’d be partnering with Patreon to enable creators to publish their subscriber feeds to Spotify via the Spotify Open Access API. After months of testing, we’re excited to share that this partnership is now available for all creators. 

“Spotify’s partnership with Patreon underscores our commitment to give creators more power and choice, and provide listeners with access to different types of content,” says Gustav Söderström, Co-President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Spotify. “Many podcasters use Patreon to connect with their fans, and for the first time ever, they can link their accounts so fans can access and listen to these shows on Spotify. This partnership gives podcasters a new opportunity to reach Spotify’s global audience, over 551M users, to increase their income and grow their show.”

Patreon is our latest partner in a growing list of publishers and platforms that offer subscriber-only content powered by Spotify Open Access. With just a few clicks, podcast creators on Patreon can add Spotify distribution to their podcast to grow their audiences while retaining full control over their subscriber bases, their content, and their revenue. We’re also testing a new feature that will help creators promote their subscription on Spotify by putting a banner at the top of their free show page that points users to their paid offerings. This makes it easier for existing subscribers to consume the content they’ve paid for, and for potential subscribers to find out about subscription options. This feature will be available to creators leveraging one of Spotify’s integrated platforms, including Patreon, Supporting Cast, and Supercast, among many others.

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership with Spotify, where creators can seamlessly integrate Patreon’s industry-leading podcast-membership tools to grow their business, host their listener community, and directly engage with their most passionate listeners,” says Julian Gutman, Chief Product Officer at Patreon. “The partnership between Patreon and Spotify represents shared values and a vision of a new future for internet creators. While some platforms focus on building closed systems that push creators and their fans further apart, Spotify and Patreon are building a more open ecosystem that delivers greater value to everyone, particularly creators and fans.”

For the Record sat down with Spotify Product Manager Ben Peskoe and Patreon Product Manager Eric Fong to hear more about the integration. 

What have we seen from creators and their fans in the months since our integration announcement?

Ben: We’ve heard excitement from both creators and their fans! If someone primarily listens to podcasts on Spotify and subscribes to a podcast on Patreon, they previously wouldn’t have been able to listen to that podcast’s member-only content on Spotify. Instead, they would have needed to switch apps just for this one podcast. This solves a major pain point for both groups: Now Spotify users can listen to all their favorite content in one place, and Patreon podcasters can grow their audiences on Spotify. People are happy to now be able to use Spotify for all of their podcast listening.

Eric: Plus, creators are always excited to meet fans where they are, and making their Patreon-exclusive podcasts available to their fans on one of the best podcast-listening platforms out there is one way to do it. We know fans love having a single app where they can listen to both their free and paid podcasts.

We conducted a beta test with select creators. What are the early results of that testing that we’re bringing to this launch?

Eric: One of the key learnings was around helping creators promote and onboard new members to their Patreon through Spotify. In collaboration with Spotify, we’ve built out ways that easily allow a creator to promote their paid podcast on their free podcast on Spotify, and we’ve made this experience easy for new members to discover and listen to a creator on Spotify while signing up on Patreon and enjoying the community there.

Why was it important for Spotify and Patreon to integrate? 

Ben: For creators, the integration with Patreon empowers podcasters to decide which monetization solution works best for them, and it broadens the distribution of their member-only content. At Spotify, we want to support as many business models as possible so creators have options for how they want to build their business, and that includes creators using third-party tools to generate revenue. That’s why we started Spotify Open Access in 2021. 

For listeners, we want to ensure they have access to everything they might possibly want to listen to, including podcasts from creators around the world, video podcasts, and beyond. 

Eric: For Patreon, we want to help creators distribute their content to their fans however they want, and Spotify is one of the most desired distribution platforms for podcasts. For Spotify, it’s an opportunity to bring some amazing, Patreon-exclusive podcasts onto their platform and offer creators more control over their business and more ways to monetize.

How does this integration enable creators to better live off their art?

Eric: This strengthens the direct connection between creators and their most valuable fans. Creators can provide more to their members by offering more listening options. And they’re getting broader exposure to potential fans through Spotify. It’s important that we partner with platforms that put creators first. Spotify is one of those companies, and their thoughtful investment in this integration from day one is a testament to that commitment.

Ben: We’re helping creators better build their communities and build thriving businesses. With Patreon’s inclusion in Spotify Open Access, creators can maintain full control of their subscription and membership list when they publish to Spotify, and they don’t need to use a different subscription solution for each platform where people consume their content. Plus, the new banner on the creator’s show page will build awareness for the creator’s paid offering, and help creators generate more subscribers. 

Ben, what Patreon creator are you excited to subscribe to so you can listen to bonus content on Spotify? 

Ben: I’m a big fan of Partially Examined Life, which is, as they say, “a philosophy podcast by some guys who were, at one point, set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it.” They do an awesome job covering famous (and not-so-famous) works of philosophy in a way that is both deeply informative and funny. Their first 100 episodes or so are for subscribers only, so it will be fun to go back through their archive to brush up on stuff I learned about in college, or more likely, I never read in the first place.

Spotify Reports Second Quarter 2023 Earnings

July 25, 2023

Today, Spotify announced our second quarter 2023 financial performance.

Spotify had a very strong quarter. We beat guidance and welcomed more users and subscribers than expected, with growth continuing to come from markets all over the world.

As we previewed on the Q1 earnings call, we expected to incur charges in the second quarter related to our ongoing efforts to become a more efficient and stronger business. These were excluded from the Q2 guidance we provided last quarter.

  • Monthly Active Users surged 27% to 551 million. Net additions of 36 million were 21 million ahead of guidance and represent an all-time high for the company. 
  • Subscribers grew 17% Y/Y to 220 million. Net additions of 10 million were 3 million ahead of guidance and represent the highest Q2 in company history. 
  • Total Revenue grew 11% Y/Y to €3.2 billion, in-line with guidance. 
  • Adjusted Gross Margin** finished in-line with guidance at 25.5% excluding charges related to our actions in the quarter to streamline operations and reduce costs.
  • Adjusted Operating Loss** of (€112) million was better than guidance, excluding charges related to our actions in the quarter to streamline operations and reduce costs.

Take a look at additional highlights below:

Interested in hearing more? Click here to review the full earnings release and listen to the webcast Q&A on our Investor Relations site here. And click below to check out a sizzle reel of audio trailers from a few of our recent original and exclusive podcasts. 

 

**Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted Operating Loss are non-IFRS measures. See Reconciliation of IFRS to Non-IFRS Results below for additional information.

Reconciliation of IFRS to Non-IFRS Results

Spotify Tops 100,000 Video Podcasts

June 29, 2023

Those who have been on the podcasting journey with Spotify since 2019 have seen how rapidly our platform has grown to adopt and innovate in the world of video podcasts. In 2020, we introduced video podcasts for a select number of shows, followed by a larger rollout in 2021. In 2022, we enabled the feature in a few markets, and then made it fully available to even more creators through our Spotify for Podcasters platform. 

At our Stream On event in March, when we announced our updates to Spotify for Podcasters, we shared that there were 70,000 video podcasts on-platform. Today, we are excited to announce that there are now more than 100,000 video podcasts on Spotify. 

Since we’ve made video podcasts available for creators in nearly every market, the medium has become core to the Spotify podcast experience, with shows all around the world utilizing the format to deepen engagement with fans. The U.S., Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., and Germany publish the most video podcasts, but we’re also seeing great adoption in markets like the Philippines, where video podcasts account for over half of podcast consumption. 

This growth since March demonstrates the way we’ve put creators and their needs first, which enables creators of all sizes to benefit from the format and connect more deeply with fans. We’ve charted consistent positive growth in audience retention and episode listenership among shows that have adopted video to date.

“Video definitely helped our podcast,” said Gage Adkins and Olivia Noel, cohosts of the Girlish podcast. “It has allowed us to connect deeper with our audience, which is so incredible. They can now pick up on our facial cues, see these little skits that we make, and really just have better engagement overall. But they can also continue to listen in the audio format if they choose to. It’s been versatile and we love it.” 

Learn more about how to level up your podcasts and video podcasts in our Spotify for Podcasters masterclasses.

Latin American Creators Show Off Their Creativity With Video Podcasts

June 7, 2023

Many podcast hosts are getting up close and personal with fans in a new way—with video. Video podcasts introduce an extra dimension of interactivity and closeness, allowing listeners to watch facial reactions or take notice of a host’s environment. Some creators are even excited about getting dressed up and showing off their fashion-forward “lewks.”

The shift toward video podcasts is occurring around the world, and in the Latin American market, specifically, a few fan favorites are bringing this new layer to their shows.

Mexican creator Roberta Woodworth, whose podcast LIBRE&LOCA reflects on intimate and personal topics like self-love and heartbreak, is one of those creators currently experimenting with video in her newest season. The show Escuela de Nada, which is made by three Venezuelan friends based in Mexico, is also embracing video as a new way to connect with listeners. And then there’s multifaceted Mexican creator Juanpa Zurita, who introduced video for Season 2 of his Spotify Original podcast, No Hagas Lo Fácil.

Meanwhile, some new podcasts are incorporating video from the get-go. The Brazilian Spotify Original podcast Carona Podpah, featuring Igor Cavalari (known informally as Igão) and Thiago Marques (known as Mítico) from the popular podcast Podpah, premieres on Spotify June 7 and will include video for each of its weekly episodes. The show follows the hosts as they interview guests inside a car, making video an essential part of the podcast.

We caught up with Libre & Loca host Roberta, No Hagas Lo Fácil host Juanpa, Escuela de Nada founder and cohost Chris Andrade, and Carona Podpah hosts Igor and Thiago to learn how video is changing their podcast game.

What excites you most about introducing video to your podcast?

Igor Cavalari and Thiago Marques: Podpah started as a video podcast and the public has always enjoyed that aspect of it a lot—we were the most-listened-to podcast on Spotify in Brazil in 2022 and the 24th globally. Video is fundamental to our show format because we have entertainment as a background for everything we produce—whether we talk about cooking, soccer, or music. When a platform as relevant as Spotify is interested in a partnership with us for a video podcast, it shows us and the market that the product still has a lot to be explored.

Roberta Woodworth: My podcast is very intimate, and I think video invites the listener to get closer, reflect, and empathize even more with these “intimate, universal” topics we cover in Libre & Loca.

Juanpa Zurita: It was something my community asked me for in every episode of last season. So it makes me very happy that we made it for the second season! Listening is nice, but nothing compares to seeing. I think the connection and the dynamic of the podcast is more intimate than before. And people are happy, which makes me very happy!

Chris Andrade: Escuela de Nada, being an improvised comedy podcast, draws on the power of interaction in its videos with its fans. Being able to react to jokes and see the response of the followers has been a change that has excited us a lot.

How has video influenced the way you approach each episode?

Igor and Thiago: Video gives us freedom to create more and more. There are challenges—Carona Podpah involves filming in a tight space as we take our guests inside the car and learn more about the songs that have marked their lives—but that doesn’t hinder us from trying new things.

Roberta: I’m very expressive, and being on camera reminds me that the whole world is going to see my face. That in itself makes everything more human, organic, and real. I am no longer just a voice that accompanies you. I am a person.

Juanpa: There was a drastic change to our set to give it the NHLF look and feel we wanted. We also had to reinvent the intros of the episodes, and I’m really proud of the result.

Chris: Video has led us to have a new type of continuity and closeness with our fans. By being able to see and hear us as hosts, we’re noticing that the engagement from fans is much higher.

How is video helping you connect with your fans?

Igor and Thiago: The main characteristic of a video podcast is that the audience can experience reactions. What we like about having the video feature is that our audience will be able to follow the podcast as if they were with us in the car seeing everything that happened. Video makes the program more dynamic and allows us to establish a greater connection—not only with our guests, but with those on the other side of the screen.

Roberta: It brings us much closer because people not only hear what I think and feel, but also see it. And I talk so much about emotions, so it’s very interesting how that connection becomes deeper.

Juanpa: There’s something very special about body language, and you can’t feel that if you can’t see it. I also want to thank our fans for all the love during Season 1 and for everyone’s insistence on us using video. Without them we wouldn’t have made it. 

Chris: Video has helped us further expand and disseminate our content to a social media platform where video is dominant. Each person has their own way of consuming content, and without a doubt, the video adds a lot to us and brings a lot of value to the new generations.