Two streaming giants have officially joined forces in a move that could reshape how millions of Americans consume content. Today, Netflix and Spotify announced a groundbreaking partnership to bring video podcasts to Netflix's platform starting early 2026, marking the first time Netflix has opened its doors to this content format.​

A Strategic Power Play

The collaboration will debut in the United States with a curated selection of sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer. Popular shows, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and The Dave Chang Show, will be among the first to stream exclusively on both Netflix and Spotify, with content pulled from YouTube. Lauren Smith, Netflix's VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy, emphasized the strategic intent:

"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".​

Roman Wasenmüller, VP and Head of Podcasts at Spotify, called it "a new chapter for podcasting" that expands discovery and helps creators reach new audiences. The numbers back this ambition—Spotify now hosts over 430,000 video podcasts, with video consumption growing 20 times faster than audio-only content since 2024. More than 350 million users have streamed video content, representing a 65% year-over-year increase.​

Why This Matters for US Audiences

This partnership addresses a critical competitive challenge both platforms face. YouTube has been quietly dominating the podcast space and now claims 12% of total TV watch-time in the US, ahead of Netflix's 7.9% share.

By creating a premium alternative to YouTube's creator-driven ecosystem, Netflix and Spotify are betting on curated, subscription-based experiences that deliver consistent quality over algorithmic unpredictability.

For American viewers, this means premium podcast content seamlessly integrated into their existing Netflix subscriptions—no additional platforms, no fragmented viewing experiences, just more compelling reasons to stay subscribed.​