For Spotify, as one ‘Joe’ podcasting era begins, another appears to be drawing to an ill-tempered close. The streaming service will soon be the exclusive platform for The Joe Rogan Experience, but what about the deal it signed back in August 2018 for hip-hop show The Joe Budden Podcast?
It’s not ending well.
“September 23rd, new episodes of this podcast will no longer be available on Spotify,” he told listeners in his latest episode. “September 23rd, I cannot tell you where this podcast will be, but as it stands I can tell you where it will not be, and that is Spotify.”
Budden went on to criticise the streaming service in some depth, including complaints about a lack of bonuses and days off for his team, to wider concerns about Spotify’s role in the podcasting industry.
“Spotify is pillaging. You pillage the audience from the podcast, and you’ve continued to pillage each step of the way,” being one of the spicier quotes. “Spotify never cared about this podcast individually. Spotify only cared about our contribution to the platform,” being another.
Spotify has yet to comment, but this is one of the first prominent examples of a top podcaster walking away from its platform, rather than joining it.
By going public with his imminent departure, Budden may be hoping to start a bidding war for his show from rival platforms. Apple Music and YouTube Music (where Tuma Basa, who played a role in securing his Spotify deal, now works) could be prime contenders.
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