Spotify Partner Program opens podcast payouts in 35+ new markets

The Spotify Partner Program for podcasters will expand to more than 35 new markets, Spotify announced on 17 September 2026. Italy, Spain, Poland, Brazil and Mexico are the largest. RAIN News reported that the rollout starts in October. It is the biggest expansion since the program launched in 2025.

Three episodes and 2,000 hours unlock Spotify payouts

To join, a show needs at least three published episodes. It also needs 2,000 hours of listening or viewing and 1,000 engaged listeners in the last 30 days, TechCrunch reported. Spotify lowered these thresholds in January 2026.

Creators earn in three ways. They get a share of ad revenue when free users listen. They get paid when Premium subscribers watch their video episodes. They keep all income from sponsorships they sell themselves, and they can still publish the same show on other platforms.

Premium users in Poland, Italy and Spain lose inserted video ads

The change also affects listeners. Premium users will no longer see dynamically inserted ads in video episodes from shows in the program. Host-read sponsor messages stay in.

Spotify says monthly payouts have grown by more than a third since the January change. It also says video shows in the program grew listening hours by more than 45% on average. These are company figures, not independent data.

Spotify and YouTube compete for the same video podcasters

Video is where the fight is. YouTube already shares ad revenue with creators and keeps adding tools, such as live reactions for more creators. Big audio names are also moving to video, as when Howard Stern took his show to HBO Max. Brands use Spotify for more than audio spots too, as Coach did with its autumn campaign.

The rollout starts in October, in time for fourth-quarter plans. Media buyers booking podcast sponsorships in Italy, Spain or Poland should check which shows will qualify, because Premium listeners there will hear only the host-read ads.