After recently signing Kim Kardashian and Joe Rogan to its Podcast service, Spotify bring in another top dog in Warner Bros.
The deal gives Spotify first-look rights to original scripted narrative DC (Warner Bros. own DC) podcasts based on its stable of Super Heroes and Super-Villains, which includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn and the Joker. The shows will have new storylines that are set in the DC Universe, unrelated to existing movies or TV shows (i.e., there won’t be a podcast tied to the upcoming Wonder Woman 1984 film).
In addition to the DC-based podcasts, Warner Bros. will develop original scripted podcast series based on other properties — like Looney Tunes and Warner Bros. TV-produced shows like Supernatural — plus original podcast projects unrelated to WB’s existing intellectual property.
The endevour will be head by a cross-divisional effort, led by Peter Girardi, EVP of WBTV’s Blue Ribbon Content digital studio and of alternative programming at Warner Bros. Animation, and Robert Steele, SVP of business strategy and operations for Warner Bros.
“As we continue to see explosive growth in podcasting around the world, we are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. to build this slate of programming drawn from the worlds of DC and WB,” said Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, in a statement.
Steele and Girardi added, “Warner Bros. has been synonymous with compelling and unforgettable storytelling for nearly a century, and we’re continuing to expand that legacy across all types of media platforms for our fans… We’re excited to bring beloved characters and franchises from DC and Warner Bros. into this new world and to use our storytelling prowess to redefine what’s possible in the scripted audio space.”
Unfortunately no specific dates have been announced yet, but this is likely in the planning stage, with a lot more work ahead before they’re live on the service. Each party has not stated the amount of content that will come with the partnership.