According to engadget, Netflix has signed a partnership with iHeartMedia to begin showing video podcasts, starting in early 2026. The deal covers new episodes from more than 15 popular shows, including The Breakfast Club, Dear Chelsea, and My Favorite Murder. It also includes a select library of archival episodes from each podcast. This follows a similar agreement Netflix announced earlier this year to stream video podcasts from Spotify, featuring shows like The Bill Simmons Podcast. The move positions Netflix to compete for viewers who use this type of content as background noise, a space where Disney+ has also recently entered with a deal for The Rich Eisen Show.
The background noise battle
Here’s the thing: this isn’t really about creating appointment viewing. It’s about filling the void. A lot of people, myself included, just want something on in the background while they cook, work, or scroll on their phone. Podcasts, especially the video versions, are perfect for that. They’re long-form, conversational, and don’t require your full attention to follow. Netflix and Disney+ aren’t just fighting for your focused movie night anymore. They’re fighting to be the default ambient noise in your home. And if you’re already paying for the subscription, why wouldn’t you use it for that? It’s a clever way to increase “engagement” metrics without producing a single new scripted show.
Why this makes sense for Netflix
So why is Netflix doing this? Look, it’s cheap, high-volume content. Licensing a video podcast is almost certainly far less expensive than producing a new season of “Stranger Things.” It bulks up the library with thousands of hours of programming overnight. For a service that’s famously secretive about viewership, it also gives them a ton of new data on what kinds of casual talk people actually listen to. Is it sports? True crime? Celebrity interviews? Now they’ll know. Plus, it’s a direct shot across the bow of YouTube, which has been the de facto home for video podcasts for years. Netflix is basically saying, “You can watch that here, too, and you don’t have to sit through ads.”
The bigger picture
But let’s be a little skeptical. Is this what we want from our premium streamers? I get the business logic, but it further blurs the line between a curated entertainment service and just… the internet. When every platform has everything, what makes any of them special? This feels like a defensive play in a saturated market. Everyone’s looking for a new growth lever, and “background TV” is one of the few areas left. It also raises questions about the podcasters themselves. Are they getting a better deal here than with ad-supported models on open platforms? Probably. But it also walls their content off behind a paywall, which could limit their overall reach. It’s a trade-off.
Ultimately, this is a sign of the times. The streaming wars are over, and we’re now in the era of streaming utility. Services need to be everything to everyone, all the time—even when you’re barely paying attention. By early 2026, your Netflix home screen might be as much about background noise as it is about blockbuster films. The question is, will anyone even notice?
