Spotify also offers video podcasts, beginning with a handful of shows that both free and paid users can access. The organization revealed today the news that all consumers where podcasts are supported will not only be able to listen to these programs, but will now be able to stream them both on web and smartphone. For now, though, only a few podcasts are able to add content to Spotify; other podcasters would not be able to upload their own video recordings. Videos will start immediately when someone clicks to play, so they will sync with the audio stream, and if someone leaves the video or locks their screen while listening, the audio will begin.
The initial shows launching video companion content are Book of Basketball 2.0, Fantasy Footballers, The Misfits Podcast, H3 Podcast, The Morning Toast, Higher Learning with Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay, and The Rooster Teeth Podcast.
We knew that was definitely happening early, back in May, Spotify signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Joe Rogan, one of the most popular podcasters in the world, who launched a live preview of his show on YouTube. As part of the deal, he 's actually going to move his video show over to Spotify, and he needed to create this app to prepare for Rogan. The company began researching video interviews with two YouTube stars: Zane Hijazi and Heath Hussar, founders of Zane and Heath: Unfiltered. Around the time, the source told The Verge the Spotify will carry out "fast" video podcast features.
This feature allows Spotify to contend with YouTube on podcasting. It's already locked down the platform's biggest show — Joe Rogan Experience — and while most podcasters are unlikely to be exclusive to Spotify, video podcasts on the site mean that producers have more delivery versatility. They should support Spotify as a place not only to download or upload their show, but also to watch it, giving the site a leg up on YouTube. Nevertheless, podcasters are likely to continue to post their shows to YouTube if they can profit from Google-inserted ads and benefit from web traffic and discoverability.
But with Spotify, they can reach even more listeners in a place where they likely already listen to podcasts.
