Spotify (SPOT) Lowers Entry Bar for Video Creators

Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is one of the 10 Best NYSE Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On January 7, Reuters reported that Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is growing its monetization program for creators and launching new tools for video podcasters. The company is looking to compete more strongly with YouTube and Netflix in the fast-growing video podcast industry.

Over the past five years, Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) has invested more than $10 billion in the podcast industry to increase creator earnings, boost engagement, and build infrastructure. The company is now lowering the requirements for creators to join its monetization program, about a year after the program was first launched. Under the new rules, creators now qualify for the program with 1,000 engaged audience members, 2,000 hours of consumption in the past 30 days, and three published episodes.

This change comes as major platforms compete to attract video podcast creators, driven by rising demand and higher engagement levels. Roman Wasenmuller, global head of podcast at Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT), noted that monthly video podcast consumption on the platform has “nearly doubled” since the launch of the program.

According to the report by Reuters, the company is also going to introduce new sponsorship management tools in April to help creators publish and monetize video podcasts directly from third-party hosting platforms like Acast, Audioboom, and Libsyn.

In other news, on January 2, BofA released its list of top 10 US stock ideas for the first quarter of 2026. The list includes nine Buy-rated stocks and one Underperform. The research firm included Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) among the Buy recommendations.

BofA strategist Anthony Cassamassino believes that these 10 companies have “significant market and business-related catalysts in the quarter ahead.”

Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is a leading audio streaming subscription service provider. Through its platform, the company offers access to songs, podcasts, and audiobooks.

While we acknowledge the potential of SPOT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.