Anytime Spotify makes money the music labels up their prices. Music streaming is not that great of a business model.
They already invested hundreds of millions on Joe Rogan and can't even develop a half-decent podcast interface.
Maybe they could improve on that front and diversify a bit?
I could imagine taking a Netflix-style approach perhaps, where you fund small-ish podcast producers and see what sticks. Perhaps develop a podcast-specific UI mode. Maybe create a monetization platform for podcasts (similar to Substack) so that you can attract talent and then extract the all-too-familiar XX% in platform fees?
I mean, I'm sure Spotify employees have thought of these things before, it's not like these ideas are revolutionary. But I see nothing that makes my Spotify subscription a must-have.
Also podcasts were offline by design, I know times change, but still it’s too early…