Observed Signal · Dec 19, 2025 · Licensing Deal · Source: State of Streaming · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Netflix Licenses Barstool Podcasts in Eight-Figure Deal
Netflix has signed an exclusive, multiyear licensing deal to acquire the video rights to Barstool Sports’ podcasts Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Show, and Spittin’ Chiclets, in a contract reported to be worth eight figures per year. The agreement will remove the video editions of those shows from YouTube and place them behind Netflix’s paywall beginning in early 2026. Audio-only versions will remain freely available on platforms such as Apple and Spotify. The move is part of Netflix’s broader effort to build a video-podcast hub and challenge YouTube’s dominance in creator-driven video, and it follows Barstool founder Dave Portnoy’s recent string of commercial partnerships since reacquiring the company in 2023.
Netflix’s exclusive licensing of high-profile video podcasts shifts distribution from open platforms (YouTube) to a major streaming service, testing creator migration to paywalled video and influencing where advertisers and buyers may seek premium podcast/CTV inventory.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Netflix licensed exclusive video rights for Barstool Sports podcasts Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Show, and Spittin’ Chiclets.
- The deal is multiyear and is reportedly worth eight figures annually.
- Video versions of the shows will be removed from YouTube and placed behind Netflix’s paywall starting in early 2026.
- Audio-only versions will remain free on platforms like Apple and Spotify.
- Barstool founder Dave Portnoy reacquired the company in 2023 and has secured other commercial deals with DraftKings and Fox Sports.
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Netflix Pursues Exclusive Video Podcasts
Netflix is negotiating an exclusive licensing deal with iHeartMedia to pull popular video podcasts off YouTube and stream them on Netflix, aiming to migrate established creator audiences to its platform. Reported shows potentially included are The Breakfast Club, Stuff You Should Know, and the Jay Shetty Podcast, though Netflix is expected to select a curated slate rather than take iHeart’s full library. The move follows similar content licensing plays in the podcast and streaming space (Spotify deals for The Ringer shows, Amazon Prime Video securing other podcasts) and forms part of Netflix’s broader living-room strategy to build high-engagement programming and strengthen its platform offering.
Spotify, Netflix Strike Podcast Content Distribution Deal
Spotify, which has pursued video and podcast expansion through partnerships with ITV and Channel 4, shifts strategy by taking its video content off-platform in a new deal with Netflix. Select content from Spotify Studios and The Ringer will be distributed on Netflix’s platform, including shows such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The Rewatchables, The Big Picture, Conspiracy Theories, and Serial Killers. Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify’s VP and head of podcasts, calls the partnership a new chapter for podcasting, highlighting expanded discovery, broader audience reach for creators, and a novel distribution channel. The arrangement underscores how creators may gain reach through exclusive Spotify deals while Netflix broadens its content mix to attract and retain subscribers. The move signals a broader trend of cross-platform collaboration between major media platforms to reach diverse audiences with podcast-focused programming.
Spotify Video Podcasts Arrive on Netflix
Spotify is accelerating its shift to video, announcing nearly 500,000 video podcasts and a significant rise in video consumption. In the latest earnings context, Spotify reported 713 million monthly active users, up 11% year over year, and quarterly revenue of €4.27 billion. The growth is driven by stronger video podcast integration, including allowing creators to upload video content directly to Spotify regardless of hosting service; by 2024 Spotify had over 250,000 video podcasts, and more than 390 million users have streamed one of the nearly 500,000 video podcasts. A forthcoming collaboration aims to surface Spotify video podcasts on Netflix, expanding distribution and awareness. Co-CEO Alex Norström emphasized that creators win when content travels widely, while Co-CEO Gustav Söderström highlighted new revenue opportunities from the Netflix integration and its potential to boost awareness akin to YouTube. The inaugural Netflix slate includes Spotify Studios and The Ringer shows such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The Rewatchables, Serial Killers, and The Dave Chang Show, with initial rollout planned for Netflix in the near term.
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