Spotify's decision to discontinue a beloved feature is causing concern among music podcasters. This move coincides with Spotify's expanded partnership with Riverside, a popular podcast creation service.
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Spotify's podcast tech chief Michael Mignano will bid farewell to the company next month.
Discontinuing Music + Talk Feature
Spotify announced its plans to integrate Riverside's tools into Spotify for Podcasters. However, alongside this integration, Spotify will phase out certain features of its platform by June, including web and mobile recording, as well as Music + Talk.
The Verge reported that this decision has sparked discussions among podcast creators, particularly those in the music genre, who feel that eliminating Music + Talk severely hampers their ability to produce their shows.
Introduced in 2020, Music + Talk allowed creators to seamlessly incorporate licensed, full-length tracks into their episodes hosted on Spotify. Given Spotify's prominence in the music streaming industry, many saw this feature as a natural fit for music-centric podcasts.
Limited Impact, Monetization
Despite this, Spotify spokesperson Jordan Smith noted that Music + Talk had limited impact beyond the realm of music podcasting. He conveyed a sense of disappointment regarding the trajectory of Music + Talk despite the considerable investment of three years.
As per Digital Music News, Smith believed that the format failed to gain the expected level of traction among listeners and, crucially, did not offer viable monetization avenues for creators.
He underscored Spotify's dedication to empowering creators by focusing on initiatives facilitating audience expansion and providing sustainable income opportunities.
While the company remains committed to exploring innovative podcasting formats, he clarified that there currently needs to be concrete plans in place. This decision reflects Spotify's ongoing efforts to optimize its platform for the benefit of both creators and listeners alike.
Earlier this week, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek conveyed to analysts that the company was willing to discontinue features, even those that were somewhat functional. One such feature in the spotlight is the 'Music + Talk' podcast format.
Through its press release for Spotify Podcasters, Spotify emphasizes its commitment to continuous improvement by actively listening to feedback, learning from experiences, and refining its offerings.
With a dedicated focus on enhancing the podcasting experience, the aim is to provide a robust platform conducive to success.
This dedication extends to the development of additional tools and integrations aimed at streamlining processes, fostering audience engagement, and facilitating monetization opportunities.
By remaining attentive to the evolving needs of podcasters, the company strives to empower content creators in their journey toward achieving their goals and realizing their creative potential.
In other news, Spotify has inked a multiyear deal worth $250 million with the polarizing podcaster Joe Rogan. This renewal comes as a result of the program's enduring popularity and the continued growth of podcast consumption and revenue on the platform.
Under the extended agreement, Rogan will receive a minimum guarantee along with a share of ad revenue. However, in a notable shift, his podcast will no longer remain exclusive to Spotify.
Related Article: Spotify Renews Joe Rogan's Podcast Deal Amid Controversies, No Longer Exclusive
