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In case you missed the news, Spotify announced last week that it would encourage all podcasters on its platform to add videos to their shows. Any creator can already apply for access to video uploading features in Anchor. The company's free self-publishing podcast division will distribute the episodes directly on Spotify.
But the rollout of "vodcasts" will be on a "rolling basis." They want to attract existing podcasters to expand to videos and welcome video creators looking to bring their content to Spotify. The service has over 2.9 million podcasts on it. Interested creators can apply at this link.
Spotify said it found users want the option to switch between audio-only and video depending on the podcast and what they're doing. On the mobile app, users can view video-enabled podcasts in full-screen mode, and they can switch back to audio-only at any time. The vodcasts will also be viewable on the desktop app, web player, and most smart TVs and consoles.
Spotify plans to give creators a way to monetize video podcasts soon via its podcast subscriptions feature. They can make these videos exclusive to paying subscribers and incorporate existing ad partnerships into videos. Anchor recently announced that automated ads would start coming to select creators in the coming months.
Video podcasts first came to Spotify in July 2020 for select creators. Those with video versions include The Ringer's "Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay," Philip DeFranco, Jasmine Chiswell, "The WAN Show," "Juicy Scoop With Heather McDonald," and "The Joe Rogan Experience."
Source: Variety