Netflix will start streaming video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer in early 2026.
The two companies announced their new partnership on Tuesday (October 14), three months after reports emerged of partnership discussions between the streaming platforms.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July, citing people close to the conversations, that Netflix and Spotify held talks about collaborating on music-focused projects such as a music awards show, a live concert series, celebrity interviews, as well as documentary projects with shorter turnarounds to remain relevant.
The two companies have now announced that the partnership will initially launch in the US in early 2026 before expanding to more markets. Netflix subscribers will gain access to sports, culture, lifestyle and true crime video podcasts that currently stream on Spotify’s platform.
Programming slated for Netflix includes sports shows such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show and The McShay Show. Culture and lifestyle content will feature The Rewatchables, The Big Picture and The Dave Chang Show, while true crime offerings include Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers.
“As video podcasts continue to grow in popularity, our partnership with Spotify allows us to bring full video versions of these top shows to both Netflix and Spotify audiences.”
Lauren Smith, Netflix
Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy, said: “At Netflix, we’re always looking for new ways to entertain our members, wherever and however they want to watch.”
“As video podcasts continue to grow in popularity, our partnership with Spotify allows us to bring full video versions of these top shows to both Netflix and Spotify audiences. From pop culture and lifestyle to true crime and sports, this curated selection of video podcasts adds fresh voices and new perspectives to Netflix, making our entertainment lineup more exciting than ever.”
Neither company disclosed whether music-related projects remain under discussion.
For Spotify, the partnership expands its distribution channel beyond its own platform for video content. In 2020, Spotify launched creator-made video podcasts globally, available for free and Premium users. It has since rolled out a Partner Program offering monetization options for video creators.
Together with Netflix, we’re expanding discovery, helping creators reach new audiences, and giving fans around the world the chance to experience the stories they love and uncover favorites they never expected.”
Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify
Commenting on the Netflix partnership, Roman Wasenmüller, VP and Head of Podcasts at Spotify, said: “This partnership marks a new chapter for podcasting. Together with Netflix, we’re expanding discovery, helping creators reach new audiences, and giving fans around the world the chance to experience the stories they love and uncover favorites they never expected. This offers more choice to creators and unlocks a completely new distribution opportunity.”
Spotify acquired The Ringer, the Bill Simmons-founded sports media outlet, in 2020 for $250 million.
For Netflix, the partnership comes after it raised subscription prices in the US for the first time in nearly a year-and-a-half in January.
Under its latest US pricing, Netflix increased the cost of its ad-free Standard plan, which allows for two simultaneous HD streams, by $2.50 per month, to $17.99 from $15.49. The Premium tier, meanwhile, now costs $24.99, up $2 from $22.99.
As MBW previously pointed out, Netflix’s latest price adjustment widened an already significant gap with Spotify, which raised its Premium subscription by $1 per month to $11.99 in June 2024.
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