Spotify, the huge audio streaming service, is continuing the move into video following the recent addition of video podcasts to the platform. That means in addition to listening to their favorite podcasters, Spotify users can also watch them and see the reactions of both host and guests, resulting in a nice upgrade to the overall experience.
Spotify has had video programs available since early 2020, including content from Comedy Central, MTV, BBC and ESPN, among others. Its entry into video podcasts is not too surprising, considering Spotify's acquisition of Joe Rogan's JRE podcast earlier in the year. With Rogan's existing fan base, it was inevitable that a video podcast would also be made available through Spotify to satisfy demand and expectations. Spotify and Apple lead the way when it comes to music streaming subscribers and with video, Spotify will be hoping to further diversify its market.
As explained by Spotify, users can now choose the video version of featured podcasts, including Book of Basketball 2.0, H3 Podcast, and The Rooster Teeth Podcast. Spotify specifically notes how this latest change is simply "the first version," indicating that other release dates will come through with expanded support for videos from more podcasters. For example, Joe Rogan's podcast is due to arrive on Spotify starting September 1, 2020, and the company had already confirmed Rogan's inclusion will include access to the video version of the podcast from launch.
How Video Podcasts Work On Spotify
To watch a video podcast, simply find the podcast you want and press play on your desktop or mobile app. Furthermore, video podcasts are available to everyone, as they are not reserved just to paid subscribers. A nice addition is that the listener can set their device to sleep but have the audio continue, making it like a regular audio podcast. Similarly, audio also continues if you switch to another app while the podcast plays. This is in contrast to YouTube where background playback is only available to paid YouTube Premium subscribers.
It is worth noting that while video podcasts are rolling out worldwide, they are not yet available everywhere and therefore, some users will still be unable to access videos through Spotify. In addition, not all podcasters currently offer video versions and as a result, many audio-only brands won't be affected by the change, unless they decide to use the opportunity to expand into video. Overall, video podcasts appear to be an exciting expansion to Spotify's current offering.
Source: Spotify