Try GOLD - Free
Netflix snaps up podcasts in TV turf war with YouTube
The Observer
|January 18, 2026
In a quieter but no less significant move than its $83bn bid for Warner Bros Discovery, the streamer last week moved into the spoken word as the first of three exclusive podcast deals came online. The battle for our ears has only just begun, writes Stephen Armstrong
-
Netflix wants to grow its film production. That's evident from plans to change its $83bn bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery to an all-cash offer, luring shareholders to reject a hostile bid from Paramount. Lesser known is Netflix’s quiet bid to conquer the podcast world.
Last week Netflix began streaming podcasts from the Ringer Podcast Network, a Spotify-owned company headed up by sportswriter and critic Bill Simmons. It’s the first of three exclusive deals the company signed in December with podcast suppliers as the streamer takes on YouTube.
YouTube's 2.7bn monthly viewers vastly outnumber Netflix’s 300m-plus subscribers, but those subscribers’ fees and the streamers’ ad-funded tier means Netflix is projected to overtake YouTube in revenue for 2025: both companies’ earnings are forecast at $40-45bn.
A billion people watch podcasts on YouTube. But Netflix’s bid for HBO Max and Warner Bros, if successful, could lead to domination in premium content, as well as big name podcasters. CNN, which is owned by Warner, also inked a deal this week to bring several podcasts from Lemonada Media to its new streaming offer.
Over the next week, 16 podcasts from the Ringer will begin exclusive streaming, from sports to true crime. A similar deal with iHeartMedia starts soon, when 14 podcasts will move exclusively to the platform, including Dear Chelsea with Chelsea Handler. Three from Barstool Sports, a US-focused sports podcast company, will follow.
This story is from the January 18, 2026 edition of The Observer.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Observer
The Observer
Labour's lost minority votes in the byelection tell a story of class, not sectarianism
What the Labour party was really interested in,\" Pervaiz Khan observed, \"was recruiting clan elders who could deliver votes en masse.
4 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Sibling revelry: DoJ files suggest Ghislaine was not the only Maxwell to take Epstein cash
The disgraced financier showered millions of dollars on his money-obsessed former girlfriend. But did her sister and her sister's husband also benefit from his riches? Alexi Mostrous investigates
6 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
The Secret Agent unveils blueprint for a golden age of Brazilian film
Certain costumes are the hallmarks of Brazil’s carnival: among the blocos, parties that flood the streets every February, you will find a sea of cupids, pirates and ballerinas.
3 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Immigration revolt against Mahmood’s plans grows
The Labour rebellion over immigration is growing, with 100 MPs now opposing the government’s plans, up from 80 in the space of a week.
1 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Marsh harrier
I thought my skydancing days were over.
2 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Starmer is treading a fine line between principle and support
The PM is adamant that bombing Iran is unlawful without evidence of threat
3 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Old Dragons don't ignite young UK entrepreneurs
Barely half of young people in the UK say they feel proud when British entrepreneurs succeed, compared with two-thirds or more of those aged 50 and above, according to a recent report by Enterprise Britain.
1 min
March 08, 2026
The Observer
Israelis back war that may revive Netanyahu as PM plots early election
The prime minister has long coveted war with Iran, but he knows the offensive comes with a political dimension at home.
4 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
US weighs 'boots on ground' option as offensive drags on
The US could deploy special forces for targeted missions inside Iran, under a plan that has divided Trump administration officials, as the White House steps up its attack on the Islamic Republic.
2 mins
March 08, 2026
The Observer
I thought Al was a Geordie greeting until it took over my dad gig and chatted canny sci-fi
Someone upset my 13-year-old son with an unkind remark. We talked it through but it was late, I was tired, and I suggested that we reconvene in the morning.
3 mins
March 08, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size