Netflix Launches “Podcasts Worth Watching” — Game Over for SiriusXM?

Netflix is making its most audacious content format leap since venturing into stand-up comedy and reality TV — this time, into video podcasting. The pivot kicked off in earnest with Bill Simmons’ live NFL postgame show on the heels of the Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots playoff game, streamed directly on the platform. The event also signaled Netflix’s broader ambition: positioning itself as a central destination for top-tier podcasts like *Pardon My Take*, *My Favorite Murder*, and *The Breakfast Club*. While Netflix is spending modestly — typically in the low-seven figures, with a $10M+ annual deal for Barstool — the company is banking on “Podcasts Worth Watching” as a content category that could meaningfully boost engagement, especially in sports, true crime, and lifestyle verticals.