Netflix Appoints Steve Wilson to Lead Podcast Deals

Steve Wilson has joined Netflix to oversee podcast content acquisition.

The appointment was confirmed by the company following a report by Bloomberg. Wilson will begin his tenure as a consultant. His role focuses specifically on acquiring new audio and video series for the platform.

Wilson spent 15 years at Apple before leaving the company. His responsibilities there included editorial work, partner relations, and marketing for Apple Podcasts. He most recently served as chief strategy officer at QCODE. Prior to that position, he worked at Daylight Media, a firm focused on podcast and creator content.

The hire coincides with major internal changes at Netflix. The streamer announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 6 percent. This cut affects about 1,000 employees. It marks the largest staff reduction at the company since 2022. Netflix stated that the layoffs stem from a review of areas where it was "overinvested in." The restructuring includes the departure of several senior leaders. Chief content officer Bela Bajaria and film chief Dan Lin are among those exiting. Doug Belgrad, the vice president of film, is also leaving. Several high-ranking television executives are part of this content strategy revamp.

Netflix entered the podcast market aggressively in late 2025. In November of that year, the company announced a partnership with Spotify. The deal covers select video podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer. Titles involved include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The McShay Show, The Rewatchables, and Conspiracy Theories. Since that initial agreement, Netflix has expanded its catalog. It licensed podcasts from iHeartMedia and Barstool. The company also launched original series like The Pete Davidson Show. It signed deals with creators including Jay Shetty and Charlemagne Tha God.

These acquisitions require exclusivity on the Netflix platform. Industry observers view this strategy as a move to compete with YouTube. The goal is also to attract viewers during daytime hours when traditional streaming usage tends to drop. Netflix has not yet released specific viewing statistics for its podcast offerings. The company has not made a full-scale push into the medium beyond these targeted deals.

Wilson’s arrival signals a continued focus on this growing sector. His background in editorial and partner relations at Apple aligns with the current needs of Netflix’s content team. The consultant role suggests a phased approach to integrating his experience into the company’s long-term audio strategy.