Observed Signal · Jun 21, 2024 · Product Launch · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Spotify Enables Video Uploads for All Podcasters
Spotify has introduced a feature that lets all podcast creators upload video content directly to the platform, independent of their hosting service. Podcasters can attach a video version to an episode by selecting the audio version in the Spotify Podcaster portal and using the three-dot menu to add video. The change strengthens Spotify’s push toward video podcasts and aims to increase visibility and reduce the need to switch between platforms. Spotify executives have highlighted rising engagement with video content, noting growth in video podcasts on the service. The company reports over 250,000 video podcasts on Spotify, up from 100,000 last year, and more than 170 million global viewers, with monthly active video-podcast users up 40% year over year. Maya Prohovnik, Spotify’s Vice President of Podcast Product, said the share of podcasters publishing videos rose nearly 70% in the past year. Spotify has also offered music videos in select markets since March 2024.
Major platform feature release expanding video podcast capabilities and creator reach
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Spotify now allows all podcast creators to upload video content directly to the platform, independent of hosting service.
- Video versions can be attached to an episode via the Podcaster portal by selecting the audio version and using the three-dot menu.
- Spotify reports over 250,000 video podcasts on the platform, up from 100,000 last year.
- Worldwide, more than 170 million users watch Spotify video podcasts, with 40% MoM YOY growth in video-podcast MAU.
- Maya Prohovnik said the number of podcasters publishing videos on Spotify rose nearly 70% in the past year.
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Musician sentenced for AI streaming fraud
A 54-year-old musician in the US has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale streaming fraud scheme. Using up to 10,000 bots, thousands of fake accounts, and thousands of AI-generated songs, he manipulated streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube between 2017 and 2024. The fraudulent streams generated millions in royalty payments. At one point, his songs achieved 80.9 million streams in April, far surpassing Taylor Swift's 9.3 million. The court also ordered him to repay over $8 million. His defense argued that no musicians were directly harmed, but prosecutors countered that real artists and fans were deprived of royalties.
Walmart outlines plan to dominate TV advertising
Walmart is aggressively expanding its retail media ambitions into TV advertising. The retailer, which acquired Vizio for $2.3 billion two years ago, is now building a streaming ecosystem that includes the recent acquisition of adtech firm Vibe.co for $1.4 billion. Walmart Connect, the retailer's ad business, is pitching itself to non-endemic advertisers, leveraging Vizio's smart TV OS and Vibe.co's performance-focused streaming platform. New partnerships with Skydance and Spotify aim to extend reach, and the Yahoo DSP integration is moving to alpha. Walmart's U.S. ad business grew 38% YoY in Q2, and the company is positioning its first-party commerce data as the key differentiator for TV ad targeting and measurement, even for brands that don't sell at Walmart.
Olyzon Launches Agentic Orchestration Platform for Advertising
Olyzon, an agentic orchestration platform for advertising, has launched its technology live in market, optimizing real advertising campaigns. The platform enables agencies and brands to orchestrate media budgets across CTV, YouTube, social, digital audio, and DOOH from a single interface, integrating with existing DSPs, SSPs, and measurement partners. It is positioned as a working example of a Unified Media Platform (UMP), connecting systems that previously operated in silos. Key integrations include Amazon DSP, DV360, The Trade Desk, Yahoo DSP, Universal Ads, Vibe, Spotify, PubMatic, Swivel.ai, DoubleVerify, Xpln, Lucid, and Innovid. The launch was announced at Advertising Week New York.
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