Netflix is launching its first original video podcasts, featuring comedian Pete Davidson and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, signaling a direct move into a space dominated by YouTube. "The Pete Davidson Show" will premiere on January 30, offering conversations with his friends, while "The White House with Michael Irvin" begins January 19, focusing on sports news and analysis.
This initiative is part of Netflix's broader strategy to increase user engagement and diversify its content library with lower-cost, personality-driven formats. The move follows previous deals to stream video podcasts from partners like Spotify and iHeartMedia. By producing its own original podcasts, Netflix aims to capture more of the casual, daily viewing audience and compete more effectively for viewers' total screen time.