Spotify has announced that it now supports video podcasts on its platform, designed to help users watch content from their favorite creators without having to use YouTube or Facebook.
Over the past year, Spotify has been ramping up its podcast efforts as it looks to introduce a new revenue stream to its bow, and further differentiate itself from other music streaming firms including Apple.
Apple has already begun hitting back at the firm, announcing funding for premium podcasts, and introducing daily audio news shows as part of Apple News+.
Spotify’s new video podcasts feature will be available to Free and Premium subscribers and is available in every market where podcasts are currently accessible.
The firm added that the new feature would be rolling out from today (July 22) but it may take up to several weeks.
Speaking of the new service, a spokesperson for Spotify said: “Video podcasts build upon and enhance our existing audio experience, allowing Free and Premium users to connect more deeply with their favorite podcasts with video content.
“Listeners can tune into podcasts like Book of Basketball 2.0, Fantasy Footballers, The Misfits Podcast, H3 Podcast, The Morning Toast, Higher Learning with Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay, and The Rooster Teeth Podcast for a visual and audio feast.”
Perhaps one of the most useful features of Spotify’s new video podcasts is that, if you close the app or move to another application to send a message to a friend, the audio will continue to play on the podcast, without interruption and with “minimal data usage,” and you can jump back in and access the video content whenever you want to by reopening the Spotify app.
Apple Podcasts already supports video podcasts and offers a comparable set of features.
The news comes as Spotify looks to bolster its podcast efforts.
Earlier in the year, it inked an exclusive deal with Joe Rogan, who posts one of the most popular podcasts on the market. The deal – worth more than $100 million – will see Rogan produce his show exclusively for Spotify, and create video content that will form the backbone of Spotify’s video podcasts.
Are you excited to see Spotify branch out into new avenues? Have you ever watched a video podcast? Let us know your thoughts on this story and check back soon for more news.
