Netflix and Spotify are joining forces in a move that blurs the lines between streaming television and digital audio. Starting in early 2026, Netflix will begin hosting a selection of Spotify’s video podcasts in the U.S., expanding to additional markets later in the year. The partnership marks a new chapter for both platforms: Spotify extends its podcast reach beyond its own app, while Netflix gains a steady pipeline of low-cost, watchable content to balance out its expensive originals.
The lineup will include some of Spotify’s biggest titles from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, covering genres like sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime. Early highlights include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, The Lowe Post, and Conspiracy Theories. The video versions of these shows will be available on Netflix alongside their Spotify counterparts, although YouTube distribution for some may be scaled back as part of the deal.
For Spotify, the collaboration means more visibility for its growing video podcast catalog—an area where it has quietly built significant traction. According to Cumulus Media, roughly 72% of podcast listeners now prefer shows with video components, a shift that’s pushing creators to think more like talk show hosts than radio personalities. For Netflix, it’s an opportunity to expand beyond scripted series into personality-driven, conversational formats that keep audiences watching without the production costs of prestige television.
The move also signals a strategic pivot for Netflix, which has been experimenting with unscripted and live formats after years of focusing on expensive drama and comedy productions. By adding podcasts to its library, Netflix is betting that viewers will treat talk-based video as bingeable entertainment—something to stream in the background or unwind to after a series finale.
If the partnership works, it could reshape where creators choose to publish. YouTube currently dominates the video podcast space, but a Netflix-backed alternative could lure big names to a platform better suited to longer viewing sessions. With 51% of U.S. adults now saying they’ve watched a video podcast, the living room is emerging as the next big battleground for podcast engagement.
Financial details of the deal remain under wraps, including how ad revenue and creator payouts will be split. Both companies will use the U.S. rollout as a test bed to track viewership patterns, engagement time, and crossover effects between the two services. If results are strong, it’s likely other streamers—Amazon, Disney, or Hulu—will follow with similar “video talk” formats.
Ultimately, the Netflix-Spotify partnership reflects a larger convergence in media consumption: what began as audio for commutes is now evolving into visual storytelling for the couch. As the lines between podcasting and streaming TV continue to fade, this collaboration could redefine how audiences consume conversation-driven entertainment.
