William Gallagher
The controversial "Joe Rogan Experience" is now said to have cost Spotify $200 million to buy, twice the previously reported sum.
No fee was revealed in 2020 when Spotify bought the podcast and made it exclusive to its service, but during recent controversies, it appeared to emerge that the show cost $100 million. Now a new report claims the real figure was twice that.
According to the New York Times, two unnamed sources familiar with the deal, have said that it was for at least $200 million. There was also the possibility of more over the deal's three and a half years lifetime.
Spotify reportedly paid less than $200 million each when it bought the entire media companies, Gimlet Media, and The Ringer. Now, though, "The Joe Rogan Experience" is said to be Spotify's highest-rated podcast in 93 markets, including the US.
The show's alleged misinformation over the coronavirus, however, was highlighted in January 2022. Artists led by Neil Young removed their music from Spotify in protest of Rogan's content.
Subsequently, Spotify apologized for the show, but refused to remove it. Spotify has also prefixed content warnings ahead of the show, and the New York Times says that dozens of past episodes have been completely removed.
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