Spotify reported strong growth in its video podcast segment, showing that more users are embracing the format. In its third-quarter earnings report, the company revealed that its video podcast library now includes nearly half a million shows, and more than 390 million users have streamed at least one video podcast. That number marks a 54 percent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting Spotify’s deeper investment in video content.
Back in June 2024, Spotify hosted around 250,000 video podcasts as it introduced new tools that allowed creators outside its hosted ecosystem to upload videos directly to the platform. The streaming giant also added interactive features like comments, Q&As, and polls, giving users new ways to engage with creators and making Spotify feel more like a social community than a traditional streaming app.
This engagement has fueled a surge in video consumption. Spotify said users now spend more than twice as much time watching videos on the platform as they did a year ago, with video podcasts driving most of that growth. Since launching the Spotify Partner Program (SPP) in January, video podcast streaming has climbed by over 80 percent. The SPP gives eligible creators fresh monetization opportunities, including payouts based on engagement from Spotify Premium subscribers.
Spotify is also expanding its reach through a new partnership with Netflix. Starting in 2026, Spotify’s video podcasts will become available on Netflix in the United States, with plans to expand into other markets later. While the company didn’t disclose details about the revenue-sharing structure, investors were keen to understand how distributing shows beyond Spotify would ultimately benefit the platform.
Incoming co-CEO Alex Norström explained that the partnership aims to position Spotify as the go-to distribution hub for creators. “When the creator wins, we win,” Norström told investors. “Creators want to reach as many audiences as possible, and our role is to help them syndicate their work everywhere. That’s what being creator-first means.”
Co-CEO Gustav Söderström added that the collaboration with Netflix aligns with Spotify’s broader strategy to increase its presence across platforms. “This fits our ubiquity strategy,” he said. “We’re focused on giving users a great experience while offering creators strong opportunities to grow and earn.”
Norström also noted that when Spotify podcasts appeared on YouTube, it boosted awareness and drove more listeners back to Spotify. The company expects the same pattern with Netflix. Expanding to television screens also plays into this plan, which explains Spotify’s recent upgrade to its Apple TV app. The easier it becomes for users to access Spotify across devices, the more engagement the platform gains—benefiting both creators and advertisers.
Spotify said advertisers now have programmatic access to both its audio and video inventory. However, the company acknowledged that 2025 will be a transition year for its ad business. Executives expect meaningful ad growth to pick up in the second half of 2026 as the video ecosystem matures.
The company’s user base and financial performance continue to rise. Spotify’s monthly active users grew 11 percent year over year to 713 million, while quarterly revenue climbed to €4.27 billion (about $4.9 billion), surpassing Wall Street’s expectations. The streamer also posted a net profit of €899 million (about $1 billion), signaling one of its strongest quarters to date.
Despite the impressive results, Spotify’s stock dipped after the earnings call, as investors reacted cautiously to the company’s mixed guidance for the fourth quarter. Still, Spotify remains confident in its long-term strategy, betting that its growing ecosystem of creators, users, and video podcasts will drive sustained growth and keep it ahead in the streaming industry.
