Netflix Co-CEO Says Video Podcasts May Come to the Streamer

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says video podcasts could possibly be the following format to look on the streaming service because it pursues creators in lots of areas.

On the corporate’s first quarter earnings name Thursday, Sarandos stated the “strains are getting blurry” between podcasts and speak exhibits, in response to a query on whether or not video pods might work on Netflix.

“As the recognition of video podcasts grows, I believe you may see a few of them discover their solution to Netflix,” Sarandos stated.

His feedback confirmed earlier reporting by Enterprise Insider that Netflix was exploring potential offers with video podcasters because it appeared to its subsequent part of progress.

Netflix execs have develop into more and more aggressive about placing YouTube creator-led exhibits on the platform and speaking up its benefits to creators.

This comes as YouTube leads the media pack by way of TV watch time. In line with Nielsen, YouTube accounted for 12% of TV watching time in March, extending its lead over Netflix, which got here in at 7.9%.

Netflix’s prime execs have currently argued that Netflix is best than YouTube in serving to creators develop and become profitable. Alongside different media giants like Amazon and Disney, Netflix has additionally been leaning into fashionable YouTubers, selecting up offers with the Sidemen, preschool educator Ms. Rachel, and the reside relationship present Pop the Balloon.

“We’re searching for the following era of nice creators, and we’re wanting in all places, not simply in movie faculties and definitely not simply in Hollywood,” Sarandos stated on the decision. “Creators right this moment have instruments that had been unimaginable a decade in the past to inform tales, to achieve viewers.”

Some creators are longing for the status, up-front cash, and skill to achieve new viewers that Netflix and different Hollywood gamers can afford.

However for others, particularly well-established creators, the benefit is much less clear once they’ve constructed multiplatform companies independently and revel in management over their productions in addition to direct relationships with their audiences.