Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform Samsung TV Plus has launched a new channel that offers video-based versions of podcasts from Spotify’s production unit The Ringer.
The Ringer from Spotify will offer a curated line-up of video podcasts from an expansive portfolio of more than 50 shows, giving fans a way to watch their favorite voices and conversations in a lean-back TV experience that is available at no cost, Samsung said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Since its launch, The Ringer has been at the forefront of podcasting, blending sharp analysis with enthusiasm across topics in sports, culture and entertainment,” said Geoff Chow, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Studios and Managing Director of The Ringer. “Bringing The Ringer to Samsung TV Plus is an exciting evolution, expanding our reach and allowing audiences to engage with our content in new ways.”
The new FAST channel was first unveiled at Samsung Ads’ NewFronts presentation earlier this year. The partnership reflects Spotify and Samsung’s interest in expanding podcasts into the connected TV space, and capitalize on the growing appeal of video podcasts on television.
“Samsung TV Plus is where storytelling meets scale — and, with this first-of-its-kind partnership, the biggest screen in the home becomes a stage for podcasting’s boldest video programming,” said Salek Brodsky, the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Samsung TV Plus. “The Ringer brings an arsenal of talent and some of the most dynamic, culture-shaping voices to Samsung TV Plus, where we continue to redefine what television can be.”
Samsung TV Plus is widely available on the company’s smart TVs, phones and tablets. A version is also available via web browsers with a free Samsung account.
The launch of the new channel comes one day after Spotify announced a similar partnership with Netflix, which will see select shows from The Ringer land on the premium, on-demand streaming platform.
Both partnerships come as streamers increasingly use smart TVs and streaming video platforms to watch podcast content. Forty-six percent of podcast viewing regularly takes place on a smart TV, according to data released by Amplifi Media earlier this year. Three out of four podcast listeners say they regularly bounce between audio and video versions of their favorite shows, Amplifi said.
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