Spotify now supports video podcasts, starting with a handful of programs that can be watched by most free and premium users. The company announced the news today, saying that all users where podcasts are supported will be able to not only listen to these programs, but also watch them, both on desktop computers and on mobile devices. For now, however, only certain podcasts can post videos to Spotify; Most podcasters will not be able to upload their own videos. The videos will automatically start when someone press play, and they will sync with the audio feed, so if someone exits the app or locks their device while watching, the audio will continue.
Initial programs that launch supplemental video content are Basketball Book 2.0, Fantasy footballers, The Misfits podcast, H3 Podcast, The morning toast, Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsayand the Rooster Tooth Podcast.
We knew this would probably come soon because in May Spotify announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Joe Rogan, one of the world’s most popular podcasters, who releases a video version of his show on YouTube. As part of that deal, he will also bring his video show to Spotify, so he had to build this functionality to prepare for Rogan. The company began testing video podcasts with two YouTube stars: Zane Hijazi and Heath Hussar, hosts of Zane and Heath: unfiltered. At that time, a source told him The edge that Spotify would launch “fast” video podcast functionality.
This feature configures Spotify to compete with YouTube in podcasting. The biggest show on the platform is already blocked: Joe Rogan’s experience – And while most podcasters will likely not be exclusive to Spotify, video podcasts on the platform mean creators have more flexibility with distribution. They can promote Spotify as a place to not only download or stream their show, but also to watch it, giving the platform a head start on YouTube. Still, podcasters are likely to continue uploading their shows to YouTube only to take advantage of Google-inserted ads and take advantage of search traffic and discoverability. But with Spotify, they can reach more listeners in a place where they probably already listen to podcasts.
