Spotify Debunks Joe Rogan Myth as It Rakes in Huge Loss

Joe Rogan’s podcast ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ signed a multi-year contract with Spotify in 2020. Recently, the show received backlash, as several creators threatened to pull their work off Spotify if Rogan remained.

As Spotify hit a major subscribers loss (almost 1.5 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2022), speculations were that this was because of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’.

CFO Paul Vogel addressed this issue at Morgan Stanley’s 2022 Technology Media and Telecom Conference. He clarified that the decision to suspend its premium service in Russia has resulted in this impact.

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It seems Vogel also acknowledged the Joe Rogan controversy without naming him. Per Variety, he said, “Going through a little bit of controversy, there’s always going to be some impact.”

Hence, Spotify has seemingly debunked the Joe Rogan factor, which people thought could be the reason for the subscriber loss.

Joe Rogan had put out an Instagram post to respond to the backlash

About 270 American doctors, scientists, and healthcare professionals wrote an open letter to Spotify expressing their concern regarding the JRE. After this, many people expected Spotify to impose strict measures on Rogan.

However, as Spotify stood with Rogan, several musicians pulled their work from the platform.

The UFC commentator, in his defense, said, “[The Guests on the show] have an opinion that is different from the mainstream narrative I want to hear what their opinion is, I had them on and because of that those episodes in particular…those episodes were being labeled as being dangerous.”

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“I’m not trying to promote misinformation, I’m not trying to be controversial. I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people and have interesting conversations.” 

Joe Rogan has justified his stance through the video and has made a swift return to the UFC desk after sitting out the February PPV.