Netflix Taps Steve Wilson to Lead Podcast Acquisitions
The former Apple executive joins as a consultant to manage content deals, a move that follows recent workforce cuts and a major partnership with Spotify.
By Hiroshi Sato ·
Netflix is deepening its commitment to audio content by hiring Steve Wilson, a former Apple executive, to guide its podcast strategy. The streamer confirmed that Wilson will serve as a consultant initially, focusing specifically on the acquisition of podcast content. Bloomberg was the first outlet to report on the hiring decision.
Wilson brings extensive industry experience to the role. He spent 15 years at Apple, where he handled editorial duties, partner relations, and marketing for Apple Podcasts. Most recently, he departed Daylight Media, a podcast and creator content company. Before that, he served as chief strategy officer at QCODE.
The appointment arrives at a complex time for the company. Netflix recently announced it would reduce its workforce by approximately 6 percent, a cut affecting about 1,000 employees. This marks the largest staff reduction at the company since 2022. Leadership stated the cuts target areas where the company is “overinvested in” resources. The restructuring included the departure of chief content officer Bela Bajaria, film chief Dan Lin, film VP Doug Belgrad, and several high-ranking television executives.
Despite the recent downsizing, the new hire signals a continued focus on audio. Netflix made its first major entry into the podcast space in November 2025. That month, the company announced a partnership with Spotify to secure a select group of video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer. The deal includes popular titles such as The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The McShay Show, The Rewatchables, and Conspiracy Theories.
Since that initial partnership, Netflix has broadened its audio portfolio. The streamer has licensed podcasts from iHeartMedia and Barstool. It has also launched original productions, including The Pete Davidson Show. Additionally, the company signed deals with creators Jay Shetty and Charlemagne Tha God. These agreements require exclusivity, meaning the content is available only on the Netflix platform.
Industry observers view this strategy as a competitive move against YouTube. The platform aims to attract viewers during daytime hours with these audio-visual formats. However, Netflix has not yet released viewing statistics for its podcast library. The company has also not executed a full-scale push into the medium beyond these specific acquisitions and partnerships.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
