Spotify makes it easier for creators to monetise video podcasts; check eligibility

New Delhi: Spotify has lowered the eligibility criteria for its video podcast monetisation programme and introduced additional tools for creators, in a move that reflects growing competition in the podcast sector, as per the news reports.

The Swedish streaming company said on Wednesday that it has invested more than $10 billion in the podcast industry over the past five years to support creator earnings, scale engagement, and strengthen infrastructure.

Creators can now qualify for the monetisation programme with 1,000 engaged audience members, 2,000 hours of consumption over the past 30 days, and three published episodes. Previously, the programme required 2,000 listeners, 10,000 hours consumed, and 12 published episodes.

“Since launching the program, monthly video podcast consumption on Spotify has nearly doubled,” said Roman Wasenmuller, Spotify’s global head of podcast, during a media briefing. “The average Spotify podcast user streams twice as many video shows per month as they did before the launch.”
Creators in the programme can earn from ads on free tiers, while video creators receive an additional revenue stream, as they are paid directly by Spotify when premium subscribers watch their videos ad-free.

Spotify also announced plans to roll out new sponsorship management tools in April and allow creators to publish and monetise video podcasts directly from third-party hosting platforms including Acast, Audioboom, and Libsyn.

In addition, Spotify unveiled Sycamore Studios in Los Angeles, which will serve as the new home for The Ringer podcasts and be available to select creators. The studio, alongside existing facilities in London and New York, is intended to help creators reduce the costs associated with renting production facilities, according to Jordan Newman, Spotify’s head of content partnerships, speaking to Reuters.