Vice Media has inked an exclusive deal with Spotify for three original podcast series.
According to Variety, the three Vice News-produced podcast series will combine “long-form narrative, talk, and investigative journalism”.
The first new podcast is launching on November 12 and is a 12-episode series called Uncommitted: Iowa 2020, which will explore the ‘process and history behind the Iowa Democratic caucuses’.
The second podcast in development will launch in 2020 and is an eight-part series centered around the opioid crisis in the US, while a third current events-themed podcast will launch late next year.
Spotify’s Head of Creative Development Liz Gateley, who joined the company in March and Natalie Tulloch are overseeing the Vice News deal.
“These three podcasts approach everyday politics and societal issues in the dynamic way Vice News has approached cultural storytelling by exposing truths through their inside, boots-on-the-ground access that has defined their voice,” said Gateley, speaking to Variety.
Spotify made another major move as part of its wider podcast and non-music audio content push last month with the appointment of two key executives.
Firstly, former CBS News President David Rhodes, who was been hired as an original news content consultant, and secondly, former Facebook exec Amy Hudson has been appointed as Sports Lead, Podcasts.
Spotify originally hinted at it’s original news content plans in June after it posted an ad for a New York-based News & Documentary Podcast Producer.Music Business Worldwide
