Spotify has signed a new blockbuster deal with comedian Joe Rogan, making his shows no longer exclusive to Spotify, as announced in a press release on Friday.
A Multiyear Spotify Partnership with Joe Rogan
"The Joe Rogan Experience," debuted in 2009, has been exclusive for Spotify over a $100 million deal since 2020. Spotify did not provide details on the multiyear deal's terms, but it was said to be valued at $250 million, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
Spotify is extending collaboration to make the show accessible on other platforms where Joe Rogan will get a portion of the revenue generated by his program, as per sources mentioned in the newspaper.
According to the company, the show continues to be consistently ranked as the top and most-listened-to podcast globally, where users have also ranked it as Spotify's wrapped top podcast each year since 2020.
Rogan created an exclusive Green Room playlist for fans, featuring the iconic neon sign from the Comedy Mothership as the cover art to set the right mood.
Joe Rogan's Podcast Heated Controversies
The podcast, known for its controversial style and guests, featured Tesla CEO Elon Musk last year, where he mentioned buying the social media site X to protect it from what he called the "woke mind virus."
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Rogan also received backlash in 2022 when videos of him using the N-word and misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 surfaced, where medical professionals chastised him.
Rogan publicly apologized, regretting that his critics felt upset, and clarified that it wasn't his intention to cause distress or spread misinformation. Rogan mentioned his preference for conversations with diverse perspectives and noted that certain things once considered misinformation, like the effectiveness of cloth masks against COVID, are now widely accepted. Rogan acknowledged that he could improve by featuring individuals with opposing views, like Malone's, so his audience could hear diverse perspectives.
Spotify stated it would include a warning before all podcasts discussing COVID-19 and guide listeners to factual information from scientists and public health experts. The announcement did not specifically mention Rogan.
Removal of Several Episodes and Music from the Platform
Spotify came under fire for hosting the controversial videos, leading to the removal of several Joe Rogan episodes, including the withdrawal of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell music from the platform in protest.
Rogan has hosted approximately 2,200 episodes featuring notable figures like scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Senator Bernie Sanders, each lasting two to three hours on average. In a Spotify blog post, Rogan mentioned, "I only have people on the show that I'm genuinely interested in talking to. I never do a podcast just because a person is popular."
Spotify has over 574 million users. Following overall market trends, the company's shares recently increased by 1.3% at $221.81.
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