Story perspectives

Netflix Starts Video Podcasts, Fueling 2026 Industry Pivot

8/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. podcasting industry pivots to video in 2026 as platforms launch visual versions.
Netflix began broadcasting versions of podcasts from The Ringer, iHeartMedia and Barstool in January 2026.
YouTube podcasts made it the preferred U.S. platform in 2024 and the UK in 2026.
Spotify expanded podcast viewing to retain users amid the video-podcast trend.
Video podcasts let creators clip highlights for social media, aiding smaller shows with limited budgets.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. podcasting industry pivots to video in 2026 as platforms launch visual versions.
Netflix began broadcasting versions of podcasts from The Ringer, iHeartMedia and Barstool in January 2026.
YouTube podcasts made it the preferred U.S. platform in 2024 and the UK in 2026.
Spotify expanded podcast viewing to retain users amid the video-podcast trend.
Video podcasts let creators clip highlights for social media, aiding smaller shows with limited budgets.