In a move to realign its podcast strategy, Spotify has reduced around 3% of its podcast workforce, laying off nearly 15 employees as part of an internal restructuring.
The layoffs affected teams at The Ringer and Spotify Studios earlier this week, according to a report. The company described the move as an effort to improve execution, coordination, and overall performance, rather than a cost-cutting measure. Spotify declined to comment on the changes, stating that it does not comment on workforce shifts.
The job cuts were mainly within the podcast division, especially at The Ringer, which Spotify acquired in 2020 for about $250 million. Editorial and project roles were among those impacted, indicating a sharper focus on content priorities.
As part of the restructuring, some programming changes have also been made. The sports podcast “New York, New York With John Jastremski” has been discontinued.
Internally, the changes are aimed at streamlining workflows and improving coordination across teams. Spotify continues to focus on growth areas such as video content and multi-format formats.
This move follows earlier layoffs in the podcast division. In June 2025, the company reduced about 15 roles, around 5% of the unit at the time. The podcast business has been under review since 2023, when Spotify cut around 200 roles as part of a strategic shift. In the same year, the company also reduced its global workforce by approximately 1,500 employees, or 17%, to improve efficiency and profitability.
Spotify has been adjusting its podcast strategy after a period of rapid expansion. While it continues to invest in content and innovation, the company is now focusing more on operational discipline, scalable formats, and stronger audience engagement.
The latest decision reflects a more selective growth approach, with priority given to formats that can drive reach and monetisation.
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