11 ms·

Spotify bought Rogan because they want his average listener, it's cheaper for them to stream a podcast than to pay royalties on a song. They also don't want to

Spotify bought Rogan because they want his average listener, it's cheaper for them to stream a podcast than to pay royalties on a song. They also don't want to have to answer questions about why a podcaster they (quasi) employ is doing X controversial thing. So that's what they do, they buy him and drop the controversial bits. It's not really that hard to understand is it?

anakaine 6y ago
Until you remember that his most popular episodes, and those that keep people coming back, are some of the most controversial. Talking about drugs, legalisation, smoking blunts with celebrities, hunting, and frankly being an openly right wing fanatic with some pretty intolerant world views at times are why he has a big audience. Securing both celebrity, tackling those taboo topics, and being a reasonably good host of conversation propelled him. Taking away the controversy puts him back in the group with nearly every other celebrity with a podcast.
- Traster 6y ago
  They're not removing 99% of that stuff though, they're taking away only the most extreme bits, and maybe that'll get worse and worse over time, but frankly I think that the business model means he's screwed anyway. Signing for spotify naturally puts him outside of the mainstream conversation (which isn't paywalled) so his cultural relevance is going to slide, erroding his negotiating position. In tandem with that is Spotify's push into podcasts work he'll be just 1 voice amongst many that spotify now has sway over, if it doesn't work Spotify won't care to keep Rogan around since they'll drop that aspect of the business model. Either was, Rogan's negotiating position peaked the day of the deal he signed, and he's probably aware of that. Short of someone like Apple waking up and deciding to do content, no one will offer Rogan that deal again.

11 ms·

Spotify bought Rogan because they want his average listener, it's cheaper for them to stream a podcast than to pay royalties on a song. They also don't want to

by Traster 6y ago

anakaine 6y ago
Until you remember that his most popular episodes, and those that keep people coming back, are some of the most controversial. Talking about drugs, legalisation, smoking blunts with celebrities, hunting, and frankly being an openly right wing fanatic with some pretty intolerant world views at times are why he has a big audience. Securing both celebrity, tackling those taboo topics, and being a reasonably good host of conversation propelled him. Taking away the controversy puts him back in the group with nearly every other celebrity with a podcast.
- Traster 6y ago
  They're not removing 99% of that stuff though, they're taking away only the most extreme bits, and maybe that'll get worse and worse over time, but frankly I think that the business model means he's screwed anyway. Signing for spotify naturally puts him outside of the mainstream conversation (which isn't paywalled) so his cultural relevance is going to slide, erroding his negotiating position. In tandem with that is Spotify's push into podcasts work he'll be just 1 voice amongst many that spotify now has sway over, if it doesn't work Spotify won't care to keep Rogan around since they'll drop that aspect of the business model. Either was, Rogan's negotiating position peaked the day of the deal he signed, and he's probably aware of that. Short of someone like Apple waking up and deciding to do content, no one will offer Rogan that deal again.