Spotify Inks New Multi Year Deal With Podcaster Joe Rogan

Spotify Technology SA has hit the play button on a fresh, multi-year deal with the comedic maestro and podcast virtuoso, Joe Rogan. The agreement aims to bump up the platform’s advertising revenue by amplifying the popularity of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” an exclusive Spotify podcast since 2020.

Since its debut in 2009, Rogan’s show has claimed its throne as the most-listened-to podcast worldwide. However, breaking free from exclusivity, Spotify has orchestrated plans to share Rogan’s insightful dialogues on platforms like Apple, Amazon, and YouTube.

Rogan, known for orchestrating candid conversations with political bigwigs, business magnates, and A-list celebrities, has become a symphony of voices featuring luminaries such as Quentin Tarantino, Miley Cyrus, and Tesla’s maestro, Elon Musk.

Spotify, the Sweden-based melody master, orchestrates this move to strike a chord in its advertising symphony. The company’s focus on boosting ad revenue through the Spotify Audience Network has paid off, with a staggering 232% surge in overall podcast consumption since securing Rogan’s exclusivity. Last year, Spotify’s revenue crescendoed by an impressive 80%, harmonizing with its podcast endeavors.

The multi-year deal with Rogan, akin to a blockbuster hit, is rumored to be valued at up to $250 million. The pact includes an upfront minimum guarantee and a melodious revenue-sharing agreement based on ad sales, according to the Wall Street Journal.

While Spotify chose to remain tight-lipped about the deal’s specifics, they refuted the reported value, stating it was inaccurately estimated. Spotify’s podcast journey, evolving since its podcast inception in 2015, reached a crescendo in 2019, marked by acquisitions of podcast networks Gimlet Media and Anchor FM. The company further tuned its strategy by striking exclusive deals with luminaries like Kim Kardashian and former U.S. President Barack Obama.