Netflix's podcast strategy key to its efforts to challenge YouTube where it is strongest
The first video podcast to debut on Netflix as part of its new podcast acquisition strategy will be The Bill Simmons Podcast, debuting Jan 11. Unexpectedly (at least to me… I don’t think this was broadly reported) is that the podcast will stream live and then be available on-demand after that.
![Bill Simmons Podcast With Rant About Roger Goodell [AUDIO] - Business Insider](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!eX2d!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9598aea2-418a-4184-9f55-a12a94e67f4e_1040x780.jpeg "Bill Simmons Podcast With Rant About Roger Goodell [AUDIO] - Business Insider")
Something overlooked by many with the new podcast strategy is that most podcast listening takes place during the daytime hours, which suggests that Netflix’s play for podcasting is actually a play to build ‘viewership’ during daytime where viewing is often quite different. During the day, TV is often running in the background as company for people at home doing other tasks.
The strength of YouTube is podcasts. It is also background music with video montages/AI-generated animations. And Webcams of bears washing in streams. The need for daytime soaps and Oprah are a relic of yesteryear.
I was interested in a New York Times article from last week about YouTube’s firm grip on daytime viewers, with podcasts playing a key role in that.
YouTube has been winning the streaming wars for years, generating more TV viewing time in the United States than Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and every other app out there. In November, it accounted for nearly 13 percent of viewing time, compared with 8 percent for Netflix, the next in line, according to Nielsen.
Much of YouTube’s lead, though, comes from its dominance during the daytime, adding a challenge for media and streaming executives who are trying to puzzle through how to close a widening gap.
At 11 a.m., for instance, YouTube had an average audience of 6.3 million viewers in October, Nielsen said. Netflix’s audience is less than half of that (2.8 million). Amazon has about a million viewers at that hour, and some streaming services, like HBO Max, Paramount+ and Peacock, draw fewer than 600,000.
The article goes on to suggest that YouTube’s dominance isn’t actually as great as it seems, with prime time being a lot closer in viewership (even if YouTube still leads). Netflix and its other streaming competitors can close the gap if it adapts to embrace viewing styles complementary to daytime consumption needs.
Netflix’s average audience swells to over 11 million viewers at 9 p.m., only a bit behind YouTube’s audience of 12 million, for example. Other large services, like Amazon, Disney and HBO Max, also close in on YouTube’s lead during prime time — before YouTube’s dominance begins again in the overnight hours and continues into the next day.
How long will it be until Netflix is offering live video of bears washing in streams?
Dan’s list of the films he liked the most in 2025
The best movie that I saw in 2025 was The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), which I had never seen before. It was hugely entertaining and immediately became one of my all-time favourites.
I didn’t see any new movies that I liked more than that, but I did see quite a few very-good-to-great films this year. Did I see ten very-good-to-great new films? No…
Please also keep in mind that some of the really great end-of-year releases seen in the US in recent weeks haven’t gotten a release date locally, so I just haven’t yet seen them. There’s also a few Boxing Day releases I haven’t yet had the chance to see.
10) Presence
09) A House of Dynamite
08) Train Dreams
07) Weapons
06) Black Bag
05) Eddington
04) Avatar: Fire & Ash
03) Superman
02) Sinners
01) One Battle After Another
My big takeaway from the movies I saw this year is that I really miss seeing films where two-mismatched cops are forced to overcome their differences and take down the bad guys. Please Hollywood, address this market gap.
News Desk
RIP actor Pat Finn - he was best known for a recurring role as the neighbour on sitcom The Middle. Read: Deadline
Why did Frank Darabont exit retirement to direct an episode of the final season of Stranger Things? It’s very complicated: He liked the show and they asked. Read: Variety
The Marx Brothers’ Animal Crackers, Betty Boop, and the four earliest Nancy Drew Mystery Stories are among the treasure trove of properties entering the public domain in 2026. Read: Indiewire
Worth a read is this season finale interview with Pluribus star Carlos-Manuel Vesga. Read: THR
UbiSoft has shut down the Rainbow Six Siege game servers after a hack saw 2 billion in-game credits awarded to every player and the unlocking of all in-game items. Read: The Verge
THR has a list with some ridiculous predictions for 2026. I’ll have my own ridiculous prediction list on Jan 1’s ABW email. Read THR’s predctions.
Trailer Park
One Piece: Into the Grand Line debuts on Netflix March 10.
The Beauty debuts on FX/Hulu Jan 21.
When international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways, FBI Agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) uncover a conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity.
Follow My Voice debuts Jan 2 on Prime Video.
After a health crisis that keeps her at home for 76 consecutive days, Klara does nothing but listen to her favorite radio show, ""Follow My Voice."" But one day she wonders: is it possible to fall in love with someone you've heard on the radio, but never met?
Dark Winds returns to AMC+ for season 4 Feb 15.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man debuts on Netflix March 20.
Your Future Is On Os Way debuts Jan 7 on Netflix.
Another year has ended, but your future is on its way. So go on, we know you have questions. All you have to do is ask.
Apex debuts on Netflix April 24.
A woman testing her limits in the Australian wilderness is suddenly ensnared in a deadly game with a ruthless predator. Starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton.
Free Bert debuts Jan 22 on Netflix.
Bert Kreischer - shirtless comedian, party legend, perpetual wildcard - finds himself in uncharted territory when his daughters are accepted to an elite Beverly Hills private school.
Bridgerton is back for season 4 on Netflix Jan 29.
The final season of Outlander debuts March 6 on Starz.
Madden debuts on Prime Video Thanksgiving 2026. It stars Christian Bale, Nicholas Cage, Kathryn Hahn, and John Mulaney.
Inspired by a true story, MADDEN follows the football legend from Super Bowl glory with the Raiders to revolutionizing the game with Madden NFL.
That’s the newsletter for the today. It’ll be back again on Wednesday (unless there’s some huge news on Tuesday).
Consider becoming a paid supporter of Always Be Watching.
Connect with Dan on Bluesky. Connect with Dan on Letterboxd. Connect with Dan on Linkedin. Email Dan @ alwaysbewatching.com or just reply to this email.
