Spotify Partner Program requirements cut: win early

The gate into Spotify monetization just got wider. If you've been dragging your feet on launching a video podcast, the platform is basically handing you a step stool.

There's a timer on this opportunity. Awards attention is shifting to podcasts, Spotify wants more inventory, and the early movers will bank the compounding effects.

What happened

Spotify cut the thresholds to join its Partner Program, which unlocks monetization for podcasters (including video). The old bar asked for a dozen published episodes, 10,000 listening hours in 30 days, and 2,000 unique listeners in that same window. The new bar is far lower: three episodes, 2,000 hours in 30 days, and 1,000 unique listeners in 30 days.

This change coincides with podcasts getting a new spotlight at the Golden Globes, where the medium will be honored for the first time. Spotify would like some winners to be "born on Spotify," and lowering the entry fee is the nudge.

Two creator tools are rolling out: one to update, schedule, and measure host-read sponsorships inside video episodes (targeted for April), and another that lets you publish and monetize video podcasts on Spotify directly from major hosting platforms - Acast, Audioboom, Libsyn, Omny, and Podigee - without changing your workflow. The second is simply labeled "coming soon."

Spotify is also opening Sycamore Studios, a video-and-podcast facility in West Hollywood. It will be the new home base for The Ringer's franchises (think The Rewatchables, RingerVerse, The Hottest Take) and will be accessible to select Partner Program creators by invitation. It joins existing Spotify studios across LA, New York, Stockholm, and London.

Context: after revamping the Partner Program last year, Spotify reported paying creators north of $100 million in early 2025. Lowering the gate should grow the catalog that can carry ads - and, yes, Spotify's own ad revenue.

Why creators should care

Time-to-first-dollar just shortened dramatically. Hitting three episodes and 2,000 hours in 30 days is achievable for small-but-engaged shows, especially with smart launch sequencing and clips that drive watch time. Earlier access to monetization also means you can practice ad reads and pricing before you're "big," which is how pros avoid leaving money on the table later.

Video is the tell. Spotify is doubling down on video podcasts, not just audio. The host-read scheduling and measurement tool is video-specific, and direct video publishing from top hosting partners removes a major friction point. If your show can be visual without breaking the format, you'll benefit from better placement, more ad formats, and stronger brand interest.

Studios matter symbolically and practically. No, most of you won't record at Sycamore next week. But the signal to brands is clear: Spotify wants TV-grade podcasts. That raises expectations on lighting, framing, and b-roll - even in your home setup - and it tends to raise CPMs when you get it right.

Platforms don't lower thresholds out of kindness - they do it to grow inventory. Your job is to turn that into leverage: faster learning, better rates, more surfaces for discovery.

The mentor take

We've coached hundreds of creators through platform threshold changes. The winners treat these moments like sprints: they plan a concentrated 30-day push, optimize for consumption hours (not just downloads), and build repeatable ad slots into the show early. The ones who wait for "perfect" miss the window and compete against a more crowded field.

Be platform-compatible, not platform-dependent. Take the easier money from Spotify, but keep your audience portable - RSS everywhere, YouTube presence, email list, and clips feeding all socials.

What to do next

Design a 30-day "2,000 hours" sprint. Publish three episodes fast (a trailer + two full episodes works), line up one guest swap or cross-promo, and drive listeners to stream on Spotify until you cross the line. Optimize for watch time with tighter cold opens and mid-roll hooks.
Turn on video the smart way. Shoot a clean, two-camera setup or crisp single with proper framing, add branded lower thirds, and structure two natural host-read ad moments per episode. Practice reads now so you're ready when Spotify's scheduling/measurement tool lands in April.
Use the hosting integrations. If you're on Acast, Audioboom, Libsyn, Omny, or Podigee, enable the direct-to-Spotify video workflow as soon as it's available. If you're on another host, ask for their timeline or consider migrating to reduce re-uploads and metadata hassles.
Clip for discovery, not vanity. Cut 5-8 vertical clips per episode with on-screen captions and a hard CTA that drives to the full Spotify episode. Track which clips push actual consumption hours (not just views) and double down on those story angles.
Diversify your monetization surface. Keep publishing to Apple and YouTube, maintain your RSS, and build an email list. Log every ad read's performance (UTMs, offer codes) so you can prove lift to sponsors and negotiate higher rates as your hours grow.

One more thing

If you're LA-based and inside the Partner Program, ask your Spotify rep about Sycamore access - then show them a tight deck: format, audience proof, and a visual plan. Even if the answer is "not yet," you'll get on the radar for future slots.

Bottom line

The bar is down. The clock is ticking. Ship three episodes, make them watchable, and turn the new tools into repeatable revenue. Then keep your independence intact while the platforms fight for your show.