Spotify now has dozens of podcasts exclusive to the platform, including three from Gimlet Media and three from The Ringer, according to a company spokesperson. With Rogan, Spotify is showing its willingness to bring more podcast listeners to its platform through exclusive content. In February, Spotify bought The Ringer, Bill Simmons’ sports and culture site that boasts more than than 30 podcasts. In 2019, Spotify made its ambitions known by acquiring podcast companies Gimlet Media, Anchor and Parcast. The deal is the latest move in Spotify’s effort to expand beyond a music streaming service to become an audio empire.

The podcast is ranked the second most popular in the United States on Apple Podcasts, according to Podcast Insights, and Rogan topped Forbes’ 2020 list of the highest-earning podcasters.

The talk show-style podcast is anchored by comedian Joe Rogan, whom some consider controversial for peddling conspiracy theories with guests like Alex Jones. Spotify announced Tuesday that it signed “The Joe Rogan Experience” for a multi-year exclusive licensing deal.

On Thursday, The New York Times reported that the company paid Rogan $200 million, double the amount previously thought, to make his podcast a Spotify exclusive.ĬNET's Joan Solsman contributed to this report.(SPOT) will soon be the exclusive home to one of the biggest podcasts in the world. The controversy has thrown Spotify into a dilemma that YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other internet giants have struggled with: balancing freedom of expression and effective moderation of the most objectionable content on their platforms. Spotify and Rogan have been facing backlash over COVID-19 misinformation and the host's use of racial slurs in dozens of past episodes.

See Also: Spotify's Joe Rogan Problem: Turns Out His Deal Might Be Worth $200 Million People searching for the podcasts on Spotify's website and mobile app got error messages saying 'something went wrong' or 'couldn't find that podcast.' In addition to The Joe Rogan Experience, podcasts produced by The Ringer, Gimlet and Parcast were also briefly unavailable, according to Rolling Stone. 'It's a technical issue affecting a number of our shows,' said a Spotify spokesperson, adding that the issue should be resolved soon. Spotify says a 'technical issue' caused Joe Rogan's podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, and some other podcasts to be briefly unavailable on the streaming service on Friday.

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