Spotify will be downsizing its podcast unit. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sahar Elhabashi, who leads the company’s podcast unit, said that it would be reducing the company’s workforce by approximately 200 jobs.
“We are expanding our partnership efforts with leading podcasters from across the globe with a tailored approach optimized for each show and creator,” Elhabashi stated.
“This fundamental pivot from a more uniform proposition will allow us to support the creator community better. However, doing so requires adapting; over the past few months, our senior leadership team has worked closely with HR to determine the optimal organization for this next chapter.”
The company’s podcast unit has undergone several changes within the last nine months. Most notably, the company made the decision to cut approximately ten shows from its Parcast and Gimlet networks. Also, Liliana Kim has been elevated to the head of current podcast content while Liz Gately leads development. Most recently, the company made the decision to fuse Parcast and Gimlet into a single division moving forward.
“Our continued success in growing the podcast ecosystem is predicated on the necessity that the Spotify Machine is always in motion,” Elhabashi continued.
“And with these changes, we will accelerate into the next chapter for podcasts on Spotify with strong discovery and podcast habits for users, thriving monetization and audience growth for creators, and a valuable, high-margin business for Spotify.”
