Spotify launches paid podcast memberships for creators

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 13:15 · Archive

Spotify is rolling out paid memberships for podcasters globally, letting creators offer exclusive content and perks to fans while keeping 90% of revenue.

Spotify has launched paid memberships for podcasters, making the feature available in 34 markets including the United States. First announced in May at Spotify's Investor Day, the programme is now rolling out to creators globally. The feature lets podcasters decide which perks to offer their fans, including bonus audio or video content, early access to episodes, reduced or no advertisements, or combinations of these benefits.

Creators can set their own pricing and bundle membership benefits across multiple subscription tiers to appeal to fans at different levels of commitment. Podcasters keep 90% of the membership revenue, with Spotify taking a 10% platform fee. Spotify is providing creators with tools to analyse their membership audience and promote memberships, including options for free trial offers and community engagement features such as member badges and welcome clips.

To qualify for the programme, a podcast must be hosted on Spotify for Creators or Megaphone, have at least 100 consumption hours, 100 listeners or viewers, and at least three published episodes. Fans can find and subscribe to memberships directly on a show's Spotify page, gaining access to exclusive content immediately after payment.

Spotify said the feature creates 'a natural path to go deeper, unlocking new and exclusive experiences for fans and new revenue opportunities for creators.' The memberships programme is distinct from the podcast subscription feature Spotify introduced in 2021 and can be used alongside other Spotify revenue streams, including advertising and the Spotify Partner Program. Podcasters managing subscriptions on other services can also bring their paywalled content to Spotify via its Open Access feature.

How it is being reported

• Spotify launches paid podcast memberships with perks beyond bonus contentSpotify's new paid memberships let podcasters offer fans exclusive perks, including ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content, while keeping 90% of the revenue.TechCrunch · 20 Oct, 13:00
• Spotify's Memberships program for podcasts is here to compete with PatreonThe revenue split appears to be identical.Engadget · 20 Oct, 13:00
• Spotify’s new podcast memberships let you pay for extra perksSpotify is enabling podcast creators to earn more money through the platform by providing their fans with a way to pay to access exclusive content. First announced in May, the new Memberships subscription feature is starting to roll out in 34 regions today, allowing podcasters to offer perks including additional content, early access, bonus episodes, […]The Verge · 20 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Spotify · Patreon · YouTube · Megaphone

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem