Netflix’s recent What Next teaser has social media buzzing with speculation about what 2026 has in store for viewers, ahead of the big January reveals. While hundreds of movies, including standout titles like Hellboy (2004), are set to hit streaming services, Netflix is quietly expanding beyond films and series into another entertainment frontier. 

And now, Netflix is stepping boldly into video podcasts with multiple high-profile deals, including the addition of Bill Simmons’ show as 2026 unfolds.

Netflix is rapidly expanding into the world of video podcasts through major licensing deals that will bring established shows to its platform starting in early 2026. A centerpiece of this push is the partnership with Spotify and The Ringer, which will see several of Spotify’s most popular video podcasts available on Netflix. Among the earliest to debut is The Bill Simmons Podcast, which will premiere a live episode on Netflix on January 11, 2026, streaming at 11:30 p.m. ET. 

Prior to its Netflix premiere, The Bill Simmons Podcast built its audience primarily through Spotify and YouTube, where episodes, especially clips and full-length videos, were regularly posted and consumed by fans of sports. Simmons’ Ringer network shows, produced under Spotify’s umbrella, used YouTube as a major platform to reach wide audiences in video format, while the audio versions were available on Spotify and other audio podcast services.

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If one partnership opened the door, Netflix is now kicking it wide open.

In addition to its Spotify partnership, Netflix has struck a multi-year agreement with iHeartMedia to bring more than 15 video podcasts exclusively to the platform in the US beginning in early 2026. The deal adds heavyweight titles like My Favorite Murder and The Breakfast Club, expanding Netflix’s slate into true crime, culture, and talk-driven entertainment designed for visual consumption. 

That strategy deepens further with Netflix’s partnership with Barstool Sports, which will bring video versions of Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Show, and Spittin’ Chiclets to the service in early 2026. Combined with the iHeartMedia lineup, these shows will be exclusive to Netflix in video form, marking a decisive shift beyond traditional films and series.

Together, the deals reflect Netflix’s intent to compete head-on with YouTube, the current leader in video podcasting, as it transforms its platform into a one-stop destination not just for binge-worthy stories.

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Will you be watching The Bill Simmons Podcast go live on Netflix every Sunday, or do you prefer catching Simmons in your usual podcast feed? Share your thoughts below.