Spotify has officially launched its Podcast Partner Program in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, with over 65% of eligible shows and networks already enrolled. The program primarily focuses on video podcast monetization, offering creators a share of Premium revenue when paid subscribers watch their content.

Key features of the Partner Program include:

• Ad-free viewing experience for Premium users
• Revenue sharing from Premium subscriptions
• Audio commercials for ad-supported tier
• Cross-platform podcast advertising
• Short-form video promotion (up to 90-second clips)

According to Spotify, the short-form video feature has proven 33% more effective at converting browsers into engaged listeners compared to traditional previews.

This initiative comes as Spotify faces increasing competition in the podcast space, particularly from YouTube, which has become the leading podcast platform in the U.S. The company is also expanding into AI podcasts and superfan-focused podcast subscriptions as additional revenue streams.

However, this development coincides with controversial changes in Spotify's music compensation model, including:

• The "bundling loophole" reclassification of subscription tiers
• Implementation of a 1,000-annual-stream minimum for royalty earnings
• Ongoing legal challenges from the MLC regarding songwriter and publisher payments

Related Articles

Previous Articles