Netflix is ramping up its investment in video podcasts with the announcement of two original series featuring notable figures, comedian Pete Davidson and former NFL player Michael Irvin. The streaming service revealed on Wednesday that Davidson’s show, titled “The Pete Davidson Show,” will premiere on January 30, while Irvin’s podcast, “The White House,” will debut on January 19, both exclusively for Netflix subscribers.
Davidson, who has previously released two successful comedy specials on Netflix, will host his series from his garage, engaging in candid conversations with friends every Friday. Irvin’s podcast aims to deliver detailed sports insights and analysis twice a week, with special guest co-hosts like former NFL All-Pro Brandon Marshall.
These new shows will contribute to Netflix’s expanding lineup of video podcasts, which already includes licensed content from creators such as iHeartMedia, Spotify, and Barstool Sports. Popular titles like “Dear Chelsea” and “My Favorite Murder” highlight Netflix’s strategy to provide exclusive content that can’t be fully accessed on platforms like YouTube.
This announcement is significant as it comes amid Netflix’s efforts to compete with YouTube’s stronghold in the podcast arena. Current estimates predict that viewers will engage with over 700 million hours of podcasts per month on various living room devices by 2025. Recognizing the competitive landscape, Netflix is aware that to capture a share of this audience, it must significantly expand its offerings to stand out amidst millions of existing podcasts available on rival platforms.
Elizabeth Stone, Netflix’s chief technology officer, spoke about the company’s podcast ambitions at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, emphasizing that diversifying into video podcasts aligns with a broader goal of exploring new interactive content formats. As Netflix continues its journey into the podcast realm, the company remains hopeful about engaging audiences with unique content that leverages the popularity of its hosts while navigating the challenges posed by existing competitors.