At the same time, many argue Spotify notoriously underpays musicians and creators. The new deal spots a stark contrast: Spotify pays artists mere pennies while handing Rogan vast sums, stoking calls for more equitable compensation.
As podcasts become central to Spotify’s business, exclusivity deals with stars like Rogan drive growth. But they also raise difficult questions around platform accountability, misinformation and fair pay that won’t disappear with a bigger check.
This tension encapsulates the streaming era’s paradox: astronomical wealth for a select few top creators amid an injustice cry from the creative class powering these tech giants. For Spotify, standing by Rogan suggests some ethical lines move, except perhaps the bottom line.
