Spotify reveals it has signed a new deal with the popular podcast host Joe Rogan, one rumored to be worth over $200 million.
The contract extension will allow “Joe Rogan Experience” to stream on other platforms amid a huge restructuring from Spotify.
Rogan Signs New Deal with Spotify
At the beginning of February, it was announced that the comedian and host of the popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Joe Rogan, signed a new deal with Spotify (via Variety).
The UFC commentator’s new deal is estimated to be worth around $250 million.
Now Available on Other Streaming Platforms
According to Spotify, the new multiyear deal varies slightly from the previous one he signed with Spotify in 2020.
While “JRE” has been a Spotify exclusive for the past three years, this is set to change in 2024.
Spotify’s New Plan
In an attempt to open up Rogan’s podcast to a broader audience, Spotify has decided to no longer restrict “JRE” to its platform.
Now, listeners can tune into Rogan’s podcast on other platforms, including Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Hopes to Maximize Listeners
The plan to give up streaming rights is witnessed with other former Spotify exclusives, which forms the basis of a restructuring that began in 2023.
According to the streaming platform, they’ll help Rogan and his production team “to continue to maximize the audience of the show across platforms” (via Variety).
New Deals for Several Large Podcasts
Spotify’s aim for a border distribution will see former podcast exclusives stream on other audio platforms.
Alex Cooper’s popular podcast “Call Me Daddy” followed suit with “JRE” and is no longer confined to Spotify.
JRE New Pact with Spotify
The Wall Street Journal was among the first to break the news of Rogan’s new Spotify deal.
With the new pact, Spotify will continue handling “JRE” distribution and ad sales. Meanwhile, Rogan will continue to receive a generous minimum fee from the streaming service and a fair portion of the advertising revenue.
Launch of “The Joe Rogan Experience”
Longtime comedian Joe Rogan first launched his podcast back on Dec 24. 2009.
Over the past 15 years, he and his team have produced over 2,200 episodes that have seen some of the world’s best experts in their field join the UFC commentator for up to three hours.
Most Popular Podcast Around the World
Rogan officially signed with Spotify in 2020, which made his controversial yet popular show an exclusive addition to the audio platform.
The deal suggested Rogan would receive over $200 million over three and a half years. As the show’s popularity continued to increase, it’s now been ranked as the no. 1 most-watched podcast over the past three years.
Joe Rogan’s Popularity Continues to Grow
With the new deal rumored to be worth up to $250 million; it’s clear Spotify wants to ensure they hold onto the extensive fan base that comes with the JRE for as long as possible.
“For more than three years, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ has consistently been the No. 1 podcast across the globe,” Spotify said.
Podcast Receives Backlash
As a semi-controversial figure, Rogan’s podcast has received a fair amount of backlash over the years.
A few years ago, Spotify was forced to remove over 70 episodes of the show from their library in which Rogan had said the N-word.
‘Silencing Joe Is Not the Answer’
At the time, Rogan said the backlash over using the controversial word was “a political hit job.”
Not long after the episodes were removed, Daniel Ek, Spotify CEO, said, “I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer” (via NY1).
