Spotify updates Partner Program to make video podcast monetisation easier
Spotify has lowered the threshold to monetise video podcasts, along with some other beneficial updates for creators.
Spotify has rolled out important updates to its Partner Program, offering a lower barrier to monetise video podcasts and new ways to manage sponsorships. This follows the program’s launch last year and builds on Spotify’s ongoing commitment to helping creators grow and reach audiences.
The most notable change is a reduction in the requirements for joining the Partner Program. As we mentioned in a recent article, previously creators needed 12 published episodes, 10,000 hours of consumption in the past 30 days, as well as at least 2,000 engaged monthly listeners. These thresholds have now been lowered to:
- 3 published episodes
- 2,000 hours of consumed content in the past 30 days
- 1,000 engaged listeners in the last month
If unsure, creators can check their eligibility on the Monetize tab in Spotify for Creators. This update opens the door for more creators to start earning and building an audience.
Spotify is also introducing smarter tools for sponsorship management. Starting in April, creators enrolled in the Partner Program will be able to remove, replace, or add host-read sponsorships in video episodes, schedule updates in advance, and track performance with detailed delivery metrics. These tools are available via Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, providing creators with more flexibility and control over their revenue streams.
Another significant addition is the Spotify Distribution API, which allows creators to publish and monetise video podcasts directly on Spotify from their existing hosting platforms.
Launch partners include Acast, Audioboom, Libsyn, Omny, and Podigee. This means creators can earn Premium video revenue in select markets, ad revenue on the free tier, and use the new sponsorship management tools without re-uploading content or changing their workflows. As Greg Glenday, CEO of Acast, said, “As the industry evolves, we’re bringing the same flexibility to video. Our partnership with Spotify is built on that principle of creator autonomy: providing the tools to scale and earn on every platform without compromising control.”
In addition to software improvements, Spotify is expanding its physical support for creators with Spotify Sycamore Studios in West Hollywood. The studio will serve as a hub for the Ringer network and select Partner Program creators, complementing existing studios in Los Angeles, New York, Stockholm, and London.
These updates show Spotify’s continued push to grow its video podcast ecosystem, as the medium’s popularity steadily rises. Since the Partner Program launched, video podcast consumption has nearly doubled, with users streaming twice as many video shows per month.