Comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan has signed a multiyear licensing deal with music streaming service Spotify reported to be worth more than $100 million to move his podcast exclusively to Spotify’s platform.
Variety reports that Joe Rogan, popular comedian and host of the Joe Rogan Experience, has signed a deal with Spotify to move his podcast exclusively to the Spotify platform. The podcast will debut on Spotify on September 1 on a non-exclusive basis but will become exclusive to the Spotify platform later in the year under the multiyear licensing deal.
Rogan’s podcast currently ranks as the second most popular show on Apple Podcasts, after Barstool Sports’ Call Her Daddy whose hosts have been embroiled in an ongoing controversy. According to a source, Rogan was sold on the deal with Spotify after becoming confident in the platform’s ability to build his audience worldwide.
Rogan wrote in an Instagram post: “The podcast is moving to @spotify! It will remain FREE, and it will be the exact same show. It’s just a licensing deal, so Spotify won’t have any creative control over the show. They want me to just continue doing it the way I’m doing it right now.”
Rogan stated that clips of the show will continue to be shared on YouTube “but full versions of the show will only be on Spotify after the end of the year. I’m excited to have the support of the largest audio platform in the world and I hope you folks are there when we make the switch!”
Rogan is a stand-up comedian, actor, and UFC commentator previously best known for hosting the NBC reality competition show Fear Factor in the 2000s. Rogan is known for inviting guests from across the political spectrum on his podcast. Rogan has discussed Project Veritas and the group’s exposé on Twitter’s shadowbanning of conservatives.
Rogan has also discussed Obamagate, the theory that former President Obama instructed the FBI to investigate President Trump’s 2016 campaign:
Rogan currently has two stand-up specials on Netflix: 2018’s “Strange Times” and 2016’s “Triggered.” His podcast will be available to Spotify’s 286 million active monthly users free with ads, and without ads for premium subscribers, from September 1st.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan or contact via secure email at the address lucasnolan@protonmail.com