Netflix is evolving beyond its long-established identity as a central hub for television series, blockbuster films, documentaries, and even live-streamed WWE matches. The company has now set its sights on a new dimension of digital entertainment that blends the intimacy of spoken-word storytelling with the visual depth of streaming media. In an announcement made on Tuesday, the pioneering platform revealed that it will soon allow audiences to stream **video podcasts** directly through its service—a move that signals Netflix’s ambition to further diversify its offerings and maintain its leadership in the ever-expanding streaming ecosystem.
To realize this new venture, Netflix has entered into a strategic partnership with Spotify’s acclaimed podcast studio and its popular sports and culture brand, **The Ringer**. This collaboration will debut an initial slate of sixteen podcast series, each carefully curated to attract both podcast enthusiasts and traditional streaming audiences. The lineup includes well-known titles such as **The Bill Simmons Podcast**, which explores sports and pop culture insights, and **Conspiracy Theories**, a series that delves into speculative narratives and hidden histories. In addition, it will showcase several of **The Ringer’s** signature programs that focus on major sporting arenas like the NFL, NBA, Fantasy Football leagues, and the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing.
As part of its rollout strategy, Netflix plans to launch these video podcasts in the United States in 2026, with plans for a broader international release thereafter. This phased approach not only allows the company to gauge audience engagement but also provides an opportunity to fine-tune the user experience before expanding into global markets. According to a detailed report from *The New York Times*, this new deal carries notable exclusivity conditions: these shows will not be made available on YouTube in their full form. This restriction underscores Netflix’s competitive stance against YouTube—a platform that not only dominates user-generated video content but also ranks as the most popular destination for podcast streaming, commanding a staggering audience exceeding one billion monthly listeners. By contrast, Spotify and Apple Music lag behind in terms of podcast-focused viewership, making Netflix’s entry into this space both bold and potentially transformative.
The emergence of video podcasts as a preferred format is itself a reflection of broader shifts in media consumption habits. Viewers increasingly gravitate toward podcasts that allow them to see hosts and guests in real time, creating a stronger sense of connection and authenticity. For creators, this hybrid form of content opens new avenues for audience growth, cross-platform promotion, and monetization through visual storytelling. Netflix’s decision to invest in this trend signals its awareness of these evolving viewer preferences and its determination to remain at the forefront of content innovation.
In this initial rollout phase, Netflix will not insert commercial breaks into the episodes—a deliberate decision designed to enhance the immersive quality of viewing. However, Spotify’s existing advertisements embedded within the podcasts themselves will remain intact, as confirmed by *The New York Times*. This arrangement preserves the original structure and sponsorship agreements of the podcast creators while maintaining Netflix’s ad-free reputation for its own hosted content.
It is worth noting that this is not Netflix’s first foray into the world of podcasting. The company already produces several audio series related to its flagship shows, such as **You Cannot Make This Up**, **Skip Intro**, and **We Have the Receipts**—all of which explore behind-the-scenes stories, cast interviews, and creative insights. These podcasts currently stream on YouTube, reinforcing Netflix’s growing interest in non-traditional storytelling formats. Furthermore, in an earnings call earlier this year, Netflix co-CEO **Ted Sarandos** hinted at exactly this evolution. He remarked that with the growing popularity of video podcasts, it was only a matter of time before Netflix would become a natural home for them. His forecast has proven accurate: the platform is now officially embarking on that expansion.
Spotify, for its part, seems equally invested in broadening the reach of its podcasting ecosystem. In a related statement, the company reiterated its commitment to helping creators distribute their work more widely, expressing plans to extend similar partnership opportunities to a larger variety of content producers in the future. This joint effort between two of the world’s leading entertainment platforms—Netflix and Spotify—suggests the start of a new era in integrated media distribution, one that unites the auditory intimacy of podcasts with the cinematic strengths of visual streaming.
For audiences eager to preview what’s to come, Netflix has made the complete list of upcoming podcast series available on its official website. Collectively, these initiatives mark an important strategic expansion for Netflix, transforming it from a platform primarily associated with on-demand video entertainment into a more comprehensive and multifaceted destination for storytelling in all its forms.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/799582/netflix-spotify-video-podcast-deal
