Spotify Restructures Podcast Division with Latest Layoffs

Spotify has announced a new round of layoffs within its podcast division, affecting approximately 15 employees, which constitutes about 3% of the total workforce in that sector. The cuts primarily impacted staff at The Ringer, a sports and pop culture platform founded by Bill Simmons, and Spotify Studios. This restructuring is characterized internally as a move to enhance execution, speed, and alignment across teams rather than a cost-cutting measure.

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Among those laid off are Andrew Gruttadaro, the special projects lead at The Ringer, and Miles Surrey, a staff writer known for his extensive contributions to the site. Both individuals expressed their sentiments on social media, highlighting their pride in their work and contributions over the years. Gruttadaro noted, “It’s impossible to sum up nine years in a tweet but: I worked on so many things — profiles, theme weeks, special projects—that I am incredibly proud of.” Surrey remarked on his eight and a half years at The Ringer, stating, “I’m proud to have literally written the most articles in the site’s history.”

Spotify Lays Off 15 Employees, Including Multiple Ringer Staffers

The layoffs come on the heels of previous cuts in June 2025, where another 15 employees were let go from the same division. In total, Spotify has laid off around 1,500 workers across various departments since late 2023, representing 17% of its global workforce.

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As part of the restructuring, Spotify is discontinuing the podcast “New York, New York With John Jastremski,” which focused on sports in New York City. Jastremski's contract is expiring and will not be renewed, although he plans to host his own podcast moving forward. Additionally, the recent layoffs coincide with Spotify's strategic pivot towards video content, as the company continues to invest in multiformat programming.

Spotify Lays Off 15 Employees, Including Multiple Ringer Staffers

Spotify has refrained from providing detailed comments regarding the layoffs, with a spokesperson stating, “Spotify does not comment on staffing shifts.” However, sources within the company have indicated that the layoffs are intended to streamline operations and focus on growth areas, particularly in video and multiplatform content.

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Critics of Spotify's approach argue that the repeated layoffs reflect a troubling trend within the company, raising concerns about job security and the future direction of its podcasting efforts. The decision to cut staff while simultaneously pursuing new content formats has led to questions about the company's long-term strategy and commitment to its existing talent.

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While most reports agree on the number of layoffs and the affected individuals, there are discrepancies regarding the total number of staff impacted, with some sources suggesting that as many as six additional staffers could be affected. The exact reasons behind the layoffs remain somewhat ambiguous, with internal sources emphasizing alignment and execution rather than cost-cutting.

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• “It’s impossible to sum up nine years in a tweet but: I worked on so many things — profiles, theme weeks, special projects—that I am incredibly proud of,” — Andrew Gruttadaro, Special Projects Lead, The Ringer

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• “It was a rewarding eight and a half years and I’m proud to have literally written the most articles in the site’s history.” — Miles Surrey, Staff Writer, The Ringer

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This restructuring marks another significant shift in Spotify's podcasting strategy as it navigates the evolving landscape of digital media.

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