Spotify has announced that it paid out over $100 million to podcasters and podcast publishers worldwide in the first quarter of 2025, this is after generating a revenue of 15.7 billion euros ($17.9 billion) last year.
“For the first time, we’re revealing that Spotify paid out more than $100 million to podcast publishers and podcasters worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 alone,” the company said in a statement.
This milestone highlights Spotify’s growing investment in the creator economy, particularly in video podcasts, which have seen a 28% increase in active monthly shows since the launch of the Spotify Partner Program.
“This figure reflects our deep commitment to the creator economy and underscores Spotify’s position as a leading platform for audio and video creators alike,” it added.
The payout includes ad-based revenue and audience-driven earnings from Spotify Premium video engagement, allowing creators to monetize their content across multiple formats.
Major advertisers like McDonald’s, Google, and Chelsea FC have booked campaigns through the Spotify Audience Network, further boosting revenue opportunities for podcasters.
Spotify began expanding beyond music into non-music audio content with podcasts in 2019, marking a strategic shift toward becoming an “audio-first” platform. The company acquired Gimlet Media and Anchor to strengthen its podcasting presence.
As for video content, Spotify introduced video podcasts in 2020, initially for select shows, before expanding the format globally.
By 2024, the platform had over 250,000 video podcast shows, with more than 170 million users engaging with video podcasts
