Spotify reports that more users are embracing video podcasts. In its Q3 earnings update, the platform revealed its video podcast library now includes almost 500,000 shows, and over 390 million people have watched a video podcast on Spotify.
This number marks a 54% increase compared to last year, highlighting Spotify’s growing commitment to video content. Back in June 2024, Spotify announced it had around 250,000 video podcasts as it introduced features allowing independent podcasters to upload their videos. The service also enables listeners to interact with podcasts via comments, Q&As, and polls, giving the app a more social feel.
Consequently, Spotify notes that the amount of time users spend watching video content on the platform has more than doubled year-over-year, mainly thanks to video podcasts. Since the launch of the Spotify Partner Program (SPP) in January, which allows eligible creators to earn money in new ways—including payouts based on Spotify Premium user engagement—video podcast viewership has jumped by over 80%.
Spotify also recently revealed a collaboration with Netflix to bring its video podcasts to a wider audience in the U.S. starting in 2026, with plans to expand to additional regions. While investors didn’t press for details on the revenue-sharing arrangement during the earnings call, they were interested in how distributing podcasts beyond Spotify could ultimately benefit the company.
Incoming co-CEO Alex Norström explained that this strategy aims to establish Spotify as a central hub for creators to distribute their content.
“Our belief is that when creators succeed, so do we. As creators focus on producing their best shows and interviews, they want to share them everywhere,” Norström told analysts and investors. “We’re committed to helping them reach as many audiences as possible, which aligns with our core creator-first philosophy.”
Co-CEO Gustav Söderström later added that allowing creators to appear on both Spotify and Netflix opens up additional “revenue opportunities” for the company.
“Here’s how we see it: This is part of our ubiquity strategy. While we work to deliver a great user experience, it’s equally important to offer creators a compelling platform,” he said.
Norström also mentioned that making Spotify podcasts available on YouTube boosted awareness of the shows and their origins, which led to increased usage on Spotify itself. The company expects a similar outcome with Netflix.
Additionally, Spotify highlighted the importance of TV in this strategy, which is why it recently updated its Apple TV app. The more accessible Spotify is across different devices, the more people use it, which in turn supports Spotify’s advertising business.
Spotify also mentioned that advertisers now have programmatic access to both its audio and video ad inventory. However, the company acknowledged that 2025 will be a “transition year” for its advertising segment, with growth not expected to pick up until the latter half of 2026.
The streaming service also reported an 11% year-over-year rise in monthly active users, reaching 713 million, and revenue climbed to €4.27 billion (about $4.9 billion), surpassing Wall Street’s forecasts. Net profit for the quarter was €899 million (around $1 billion).
Despite these results, Spotify’s stock declined after Tuesday’s opening bell, as investors reacted to the company’s mixed outlook for the fourth quarter.
