Spotify Slashes Podcast Division by 200, or About 2% of Audio Streamer’s Total Workforce
Spotify is laying off 200 workers from its podcast division, or about 2% of its total global workforce, the company said in a memo disclosed publicly Monday. Spotify VP and podcast head Sahar Elhabashi wrote that the cuts are part of a strategic shift to expand partnership efforts “with a tailored approach.”
“This fundamental pivot from a more uniform proposition will allow us to support the creator community better,” Elhabashi wrote. “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.”
Spotify cut 6% of its overall workforce earlier this year, including Dawn Ostroff, who stepped down as chief content and advertising business offer of the company’s podcast business.
As a part of the latest restructuring, Elhabashi wrote, Spotify will merge its Parcast and Gimlet groups into a “Spotify Studios operation” to produce originals. Spotify canceled nearly a dozen underperforming originals late last year.
The Ringer division, acquired by Spotify in 2020, will remain a semi-independent venture headed by Bill Simmons.
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