Spotify video podcasts head to Netflix in 2026

In early 2026, Netflix will begin streaming a curated slate of Spotify’s video podcasts in the U.S., with international expansion to follow. The two companies struck a licensing agreement that brings select titles from Spotify Studios and The Ringer onto Netflix’s platform.

What’s in the Deal?

• The launch slate includes programs across sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime, among them The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Serial Killers, The Zach Lowe Show, The Big Picture, The Dave Chang Show, and Conspiracy Theories.

• Many of these are Ringer-branded or Ringer-produced shows. Spotify acquired The Ringer network for about $250 million.

• Netflix describes the partnership as a way to “complement” its existing programming slate and unlock new voices for its audience.

• No financial terms were disclosed at the time of the posting of this article.

• Early reports suggest integrated ad reads may persist even within Netflix’s ad-free tiers.

Strategic Stakes & Context

This move appears to be more than just a content deal, but a potential play for ongoing relevance in an evolving media landscape. Over the past year, Spotify has aggressively upgraded its video podcast tools, enhanced monetization incentives, and launched a creator Partner Program to stay competitive with YouTube.

For Netflix, this is a low-cost way to inject fresh, unscripted content into its feed without bearing full production burdens. Analysts view it as a reciprocal defense: Spotify gains distribution depth, Netflix gains a hedge against YouTube’s dominance in video podcast consumption.

Demand Signals & Audience Trends

• A Cumulus Media survey found that "watchable podcasts have grown in popularity"..."despite audio remaining the primary mode of podcast consumption".

• As of Q2 2025, Spotify reports over 430,000 video podcasts in its catalog.

• The move positions Netflix not just as a passive host, but as a distribution partner in the podcast economy, potentially altering how creators value platform reach.

Final Thoughts

As appealing as the idea may be of uniting today’s increasingly fragmented streaming landscape under one accessible platform, the success of this deal depends heavily on how Netflix surfaces this content. The DVD era adage applies: “content is king, but distribution is queen.” If Netflix fails to push these shows, the deal may underperform, rendering what might have been a smart, mutually beneficial move into yet another case of great content lost in poor curation.