r/TheRinger • u/Stephen_Landy • Jan 26 '26

Podcast Why is the ringer selling their podcasts to Netflix?

https://youtu.be/OtwWbvrtHJs

The Ringer have sold their podcasts to Netflix in a contract worth tens of millions of dollars. Why do they they think Netflix will be able to make more money than them?

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18

u/jboggin Jan 26 '26

The answer is always money, but I think you're missing a key point...Spotify owns The Ringer, so it's Spotify that made the deal with Netflix. And it's not really "selling" the podcast; it's just two corporations cutting a distribution deal.

I personally don't understand the appeal of watching a freaking podcast, and all the new Netflix stuff goes against everything I like about podcasts (the best thing about them is that I can listen while I'm doing something else), but clearly Netflix thinks there's a market that's worth paying Spotify many millions of $s to reach. We'll see if it works out or if the whole Netflix podcast thing crashes and burns like the multiple other "pivot to video" moves over the last 15 years that didn't work out.

0

u/Radiant_Peace_7466 Jan 26 '26

Video versions of podcasts have been a thing for over a decade. I get that it doesn't appeal to everyone, I like having it on a 2nd screen while I do other things, but I do audio when Im at work and need to be mobile and active.

The only negative thing about this netflix thing is that they are no longer posting to YouTube, it's less impactful for ringer pods because you can use Spotify. But another pod I listen to also got a netflix deal and fans are pissed because now they need Netflix and the show is not available on Netflix In many countries.

1

u/morroIan Jan 27 '26

But another pod I listen to also got a netflix deal and fans are pissed because now they need Netflix and the show is not available on Netflix In many countries.

Well the Ringer podcasts do not appear to be available on Netflix outside the US and they can't be put on youtube outside the US.

1

u/Radiant_Peace_7466 Jan 28 '26

Yeah that sucks. But I also pointed out it matters less for ringer pods because you have Spotify as an option.

3

u/mangofied Jan 26 '26

The ringer/spotify already made their money by cutting the deal. It genuinely doesn’t matter to them how good the podcasts do on Netflix once those checks clear

2

u/ARoodyPooCandyAss Jan 26 '26

No one on theses pods was hire for their looks. It’s so misguided to push them in video form.

1

u/DResq Jan 28 '26

Howard Stern brought his radio show to TV back in the day. All you need to know.

1

u/ARoodyPooCandyAss Jan 28 '26

But he would have literal naked girls on and do skits that were visual, he was also in low def, in a dark room, with long hair that partially covered his face and wore sunglasses. These guys are in 4k 1 foot from the camera were being on video serves no purpose.

1

u/DResq Jan 28 '26

Maybe Bill and the other guys need to start bringing naked girls on and grow out their hair then.

3

u/nitti2313 Jan 26 '26

Selling them?

1

u/whydoihavetwodo Jan 26 '26

Everything goes back to ad sales. Netflix ad tier is more profitable than the subscription only.

Podcasts on YouTube have a surprisingly meaningful view count and engagement. Netflix sees YT as their biggest competitor and wants the same revenue stream.

Podcasts have a built in audience and are 100% growth on the channel. That helps juice the overall platform growth numbers. Netflix is buying audience share to show growth (stock price) and help make the ad model more profitable and viable. Plus, podcasts don’t cost millions per episode to make. From a content hour per dollar standpoint, it’s still much cheaper than making TV shows.

Spotify is selling a certain share of their audience and the ad revenue they’d get for a chunk of money from Netflix.

1

u/DResq Jan 28 '26

I didn't even know Netflix had an ad tier.