Spotify has officially renewed its multi-year partnership with controversial podcast host Joe Rogan, extending the exclusivity of "The Joe Rogan Experience" on the platform. The show had been a Spotify exclusive since 2020 under a prior multi-million dollar deal. However, the new agreement allows the podcast to be available on competing platforms, including YouTube and Apple Podcasts, marking a departure from the previous exclusivity arrangement.
While Spotify declined to comment on the financial details of the renewed deal, The Wall Street Journal estimated its worth to be as much as $250 million over the multi-year term. The contract includes an upfront minimum guarantee and a revenue-sharing agreement based on ad sales.
Joe Rogan's podcast, known for its long and wide-ranging interviews covering various topics, has amassed a huge audience over the years. The show's format, characterized by unscripted and organic conversations, has contributed to its popularity.
Despite being Spotify's most popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience" has also been a source of controversy for the platform. In 2022, Spotify faced pressure to drop Rogan over his comments on the COVID-19 vaccine and his use of racial slurs. Several musicians, including Neil Young, removed their music from Spotify in protest.
The decision to expand the availability of Joe Rogan's podcast to other platforms comes after Spotify CEO Daniel Ek denounced the host's racist language but emphasized that silencing him was not the answer. Spotify's shares closed up nearly 2% following the announcement of the renewed partnership.
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