Popular podcast host Joe Rogan has signed a new, multi-year $250 million deal with Spotify that will make his show, the nation’s most popular podcast, available over other platforms, including YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
The deal changes how Rogan will be compensated, giving him a revenue share of ad sales plus an upfront minimum guarantee. For Spotify, it guarantees not only Rogan’s massive audience but also a chance to share in the revenues from the new platforms.
It’s a vindication for Rogan, who has come under fire in the past for statements about vaccinations and other culture-war issues. At one point, several famous musicians pulled their music from Spotify in protest.