Cindy Ord
Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) has announced that it will be keeping its controversial content creator, Joe Rogan, on board with a new multi-year partnership. Rogan, known for his podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” has been a key figure in Spotify’s exclusive podcast lineup since 2020, and with this new deal, he will continue to produce his unique content for the platform.
The exact financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s rumored to be in the range of $250 million, a significant increase from his previous $200 million contract. Rogan’s decision to stay with Spotify comes after much speculation about his future with the platform.
With his previous deal set to expire, there were reports that Rogan might explore other options, including a potential move to X, the rebranded social media network formerly known as Twitter. However, Spotify managed to retain the influential podcaster.
Rogan’s content has not been without controversy, with the 2020 episode featuring virologist Dr. Robert Malone causing a stir. This led to Spotify adding disclaimers to episodes discussing COVID-19 after some musicians withdrew their music from the platform. Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Rogan’s podcast has covered a wide array of polarizing topics, including conspiracy theories, current events, and politics, often with eclectic guests.
Meanwhile, the news of Rogan’s extended partnership has had a positive impact on Spotify’s stock, with shares rising nearly 2% in mid-day trading on Friday.
(This story has been updated after Spotify confirmed the news.)
