TikTok is testing another format shift with a new live podcast series, TikTok In The Mix, as the platform continues to reach beyond the short-form videos that built its audience. The series, reported by Variety, launches Dec. 11 and opens with a 30-minute conversation featuring Demi Lovato. Each installment in the four-episode run will stream live from TikTok’s official account and is produced and sponsored by T-Mobile, signaling that the company sees potential in longer-form, personality-driven programming.
The format follows a straightforward structure: a live interview with a featured artist, hosted in the debut episode by Jack Coyne, founder of Trackstar. Lovato will discuss the making of her newest album, It’s Not That Deep, while a recurring segment called the Booth of Truth will have her unpack the meaning behind selected lyrics. The episode will also touch on fan speculation around a possible collaboration with Zara Larsson. TikTok positions the series as a way to bring artists and audiences closer together, tapping into an existing dynamic where musicians use the platform for promotion, discovery, and community-building.
The experiment reflects TikTok’s broader efforts to diversify its content ecosystem. While short-form video remains its core, the company has steadily introduced tools and formats to encourage longer engagement. Recent additions include well-being features such as an affirmation journal, guided breathing exercises, meditation prompts, and ambient sound options—small but notable steps aimed at balancing the platform’s fast-paced design with moments of intentional interaction. The live podcast concept extends that strategy by giving users a reason to remain inside the app for longer, uninterrupted sessions.
For TikTok, expanding into live conversational content also aligns with the competitive environment. As rivals blur the lines between streaming, social media, and creator-focused programming, platforms are experimenting with formats that keep users within their ecosystems. TikTok In The Mix is a relatively modest entry in that direction, but it provides a test case for whether the platform’s enormous audience is willing to stay for dialogues rather than clips.
