DC Comics have signed an exclusive deal to create a podcast on Spotify – home to Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman – bringing scripted superhero episodes to the audio streaming platform.
The exclusive multi-year deal with DC parent WarnerBros. for an “original slate of narrative scripted podcasts” will explore “new shows based on the vast universe of premier, iconic DC characters,” the companies said in a statement.
So far, there is no confirmation which comic book characters would feature, or the cost of the deal, which will also include “new dramatic and comedic podcasts” based on other Warner Bros. titles.
The deal comes as Spotify ramps up its podcast content, including a reported $100 million outlay last month on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the most downloaded podcast in the United States.
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The deal gives Spotify first-look rights to original scripted narrative 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 “Wonder Woman 1984”).
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” — as well as original podcast projects unrelated to WB’s existing intellectual property.
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This comes as an exciting revelation as movie and TV show streaming giant Netflix is also delving deeper into the podcasting sphere via the creation of their own podcast shows.
Earlier this year, the Russo brothers (who created the famous Marvel Avengers movies) announced their company AGBO will bring their unique storytelling universes to Spotify via a podcasting deal.
In October, SiriusXM and Pandora signed a deal with Marvel to produce an original slate of narrative audio series featuring Wolverine, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Star-Lord. Stitcher had a previous deal with Marvel for their Wolverine podcast series.
Spotify, which will be responsible for marketing, advertising, and distribution of the shows exclusively on its platform. Girardi will serve as the creative lead and Steele is overseeing business aspects of the partnership.
“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,” Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, said in a statement.
Robert Steele and Peter 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.”
