Spotify To Launch Three New Comedy Podcasts

 In June 2005 Apple added podcasts for the first time to its iTunes 4.9 software release. The company built a directory of podcasts on its iTunes music store. By contrast, Spotify began in 2006 and did not reach one million subscribers for its streaming music service until 2011. 

It really wasn't until 2019 that Spotify began in earnest to invest in podcasting to complement its music streaming service.

Only two years later, it appears that Spotify’s podcast investments are paying off. For the first time, Spotify’s U.S. podcast listener base will overtake Apple Podcasts’, according to eMarketer’s latest forecast. This year, 28.2 million people will listen to podcasts on Spotify at least monthly, while 28.0 million will listen via Apple Podcasts. Spotify has experienced significant growth in recent years; the company will grow 41.3% this year.

With that growth plan solidified, Spotify announced an all-new slate of comedy podcasts featuring three original series.

The content slate will include:

 

• Nosy Neighbors (3/25): Candice Thompson (Creepy Caress) & Chinedu Unaka (The Mindy Project) highlight the wildest neighbor stories of the week: dissecting and analyzing Karens, settling disputes, unpacking petty posts on local forums, and celebrating good neighborly behavior. Each episode will feature a call from a fellow comedian with their tales of their own notable neighbors.

 

 

• The Sketch Factor (4/1): The Sketch Factor is a scripted sketch comedy podcast series hosted by Fred Armisen (Portlandia; Documentary Now!). Armisen plays Xandor Szavost, an inventor, philanthropist and billionaire who is using his fortune to finance a sketch comedy competition for his own amusement. Each 3-5 minute episode features an hilarious sketch to be judged by Xandor.

 

 

• Flameout (4/1): Flameout brings together your favorite comedians to unravel the biggest business success stories gone wrong and the unhinged leaders responsible for each of their company’s downfall. Each story features insider interviews and juicy revelations — with hilariously unfiltered takes on these epic flameouts. Featured comedians include: Michael Ian Black (Wet Hot American Summer; The State) , Abbi Crutchfield (Up Early Tonight) and Joel Kim Booster (The Other Two).

 

 

 

 

by

Frank Racioppi