Spotify now has half a million video podcasts, viewed by nearly 400 million users

Spotify says its audio video files are seeing an increase in consumer adoption. In its third-quarter earnings report, the company shared that its streaming video catalog has expanded to nearly half a million shows, and more than 390 million users have now streamed video podcasts on the platform.

This number is up 54% compared to last year, and also reflects Spotify’s increased investment in the format. In June 2024, the company said it had about 250,000 video podcasts as it rolled out tools that allow unhosted podcasters to upload their videos to the platform. The streaming giant also lets users interact with podcasts through comments, Q&As, and polls, making the app feel like a social network.

As a result, Spotify says the time users spend watching video content on Spotify has also doubled year-over-year, largely due to video and audio files. Additionally, video podcast consumption has increased by more than 80% since the launch of the Spotify Partner Program, or SPP, in January, giving eligible creators the ability to monetize their shows in new ways, including audience-driven payments from Spotify Premium user engagement.

The company also recently announced a partnership with Netflix to distribute its audio video files to a wider audience starting in 2026 in the US, with more markets to follow. Investors did not ask about the details of the revenue-sharing agreement on the earnings call; However, investors wanted to understand how off-platform distribution of podcasts would ultimately benefit Spotify.

According to new co-CEO Alex Norström, the move aims to make Spotify a distribution hub for creators.

“We believe…that when the creator wins, we win, and with creators optimizing to create the best shows and interviews, that’s what they’re really focused on,” Norstrom told investors and analysts. “They wanted to collaborate everywhere. We believe, of course, in helping them reach audiences in as many places as possible, which is consistent with our core philosophy of being creators first.”

Later, co-CEO Gustav Soderström suggested that allowing creators to be on Spotify and Netflix gives the company more “revenue opportunities.”

“Here’s the way to think about it: it’s part of our strategy everywhere, and it’s really important that as we build a good user experience, we also need to have a very strong offer for creators.”[ing]”, he pointed out.

Norstrom noted that the presence of Spotify podcasts on YouTube led to increased awareness about the shows and their originals, which then led to increased net usage on Spotify. The company expects the same with Netflix.

Additionally, Spotify said the streaming TV opportunity was part of that equation, hence the recent upgrade to its Apple TV app. The more people can use Spotify across platforms, the more they will use it, and that helps Spotify’s advertising business.

The company also noted that it has given advertisers programmatic access to its audio and video inventory, though it acknowledges that 2025 is a “transitional year” for its advertising business, and it does not expect to see improved growth until the second half of 2026.

The streaming device also reported monthly active users increased 11% year over year to 713 million, and revenue reached 4.27 billion euros (about $4.9 billion), beating Wall Street expectations. The company saw net profits of €899 million (about $1 billion) during the quarter.

However, the stock fell after the opening bell on Tuesday, due to Wall Street concerns about Spotify’s mixed guidance for the fourth quarter.