Spotify

• Spotify is selling physical books (and syncing them up with your audiobook library)
• “YouTube has kind of this attitude, like, ‘You’re lucky to be on YouTube'”: Spotify’s Head of Talk Strategy dunks on YouTube after Netflix deal

  Netflix, Spotify, and The Ringer's agreement mandates that shows airing on Netflix will not air on YouTube. This is an interesting decision, considering Spotify used to hand out big checks for podcast exclusivity--like with its $100 million Joe Rogan deal and its $60 million Alex Cooper deal--but later quit that model due to high upfront costs and creators wanting distribution elsewhere.

  
• Spotify is slashing monetization requirements for video podcasters

  A year ago, Spotify launched a revamped version of its Partner Program, which--similar to YouTube's identically named program--became the path to monetization for video podcasts. The platform soon boasted results including $100 million of payouts to creators (podcasters, singer/songwriters, etc) in the first three months of 2025.

  
• Spotify has music videos now (for Premium subscribers)

  For the first time, Spotify Premium users in the U.S. and Canada can watch music videos on the platform known for audio streaming.

  
• Spotify is sliding into DMs
• Spotify’s podcast “plays” are a new metric for a booming industry
• Spotify’s payouts to creators and podcasters reached $100 million in Q1 2025 alone
• Spotify wants to beat YouTube at video podcasts. So it’s giving out its own gold and silver creator plaques.
• Spotify says its platform is the place for established video creators to tap a new audience
• As Spotify revamps its podcast creator program, it’s highlighting successful shows with a video edge
• TikTok is becoming Spotify’s new recommendation engine
• Spotify wants to pay YouTubers millions for their videos