Spotify expands its original podcast offering
29 September 2017 - Press releaseSpotify is today unveiling a new UK original podcast: ‘We Need To Talk About’, a series hosted by BAFTA-winning actor, writer, producer and director Jolyon Rubenstein, best-known for ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’.
‘We Need to Talk About’ takes a deep-dive into the subjects that have captured the news agenda each week, hosted by Jolyon Rubenstein and a panel of celebrity guests. Whether it's North Korea or Trump, white supremacy or climate change, the big stories of the day will be discussed and dissected with a mixture of irreverence and anarchic satirical humour, married to genuine insight and context, and a few little-known facts. Each Friday, Jolyon Rubinstein and a panel of three guests - comedians, social commentators, journalists, artists and authors - will seek to make sense of the world around us, and get to the important points behind the headlines and scandals.
The launch of ‘We Need To Talk About’ is the latest push from Spotify into the podcast category, which has been driven by consumer demand, and is reflected by the growing trend of podcast listening in the UK and Europe. Earlier this year Ofcom* reported that the percentage of adults who had ever listened to a podcast in the UK had risen 5% in the last four years to 24% in 2017, a trend that Spotify has been monitoring closely in recent years.
James Cator, Spotify’s Head of Podcasts, EMEA, commented on the increased focus on the category: “Podcasts are increasing in popularity, both with our users, and as a growing category as a whole. Spotify users have been asking for more podcast content on the service for some time, so it’s great to be able to respond to that demand with great original shows, such as ‘We Need To Talk About’ and with the recent launch of ‘Show & Tell’ with Shaun Keaveny.
“Podcasts are definitely a category we are working to expand on at Spotify, particularly in Europe. The hugely popular ‘Fest & Flauschig’ in Germany was our first move into original content, and Spotify is investing in further original podcast content in the UK and across Europe. We’re really excited to bring fresh, original podcasts to Spotify, and the next 12 months are going to see us focus on expanding our original content offering.”
The first episode of ‘We Need To Talk About’ features Jolyon Rubenstein as host and James O’Brien (LBC), Asim Chaudhry (Chabuddy G, People Just Do Nothing) and Bridget Christie (stand-up comedian and actor).
‘We Need To Talk About’ will be available on Spotify from 00:01 on Friday 29th September. Please click here to listen.
Upcoming panelists confirmed for later in the series include the following;
· John Lloyd
· Akala
· Cariad Lloyd
· Miranda Sawyer
· Grace Dent
· Jack Rooke
· Josie Long
· Angela Barnes
· David Quantick
· Jordan ‘Rizzle Kicks’ Stephens
· Nish Kumar
Submit news or a press release
Want to add your news or press release? Email Paul or Kevin
Two week FREE trial