Spotify-owned The Ringer began live-streaming its sports gambling podcast “Wise Guys” on Twitch this week, marking the first time one of the company’s video podcasts has appeared on the Amazon-owned platform and opening a new distribution channel in Spotify’s ongoing competition with YouTube for podcast audiences.

As reported by The Ankler, the inaugural stream aired Monday on a Ringer Twitch account that had sat dormant for roughly eight years after The Ringer briefly used it for staff gaming sessions in 2018. “Wise Guys” features hosts Cousin Sal, Anthony Dabbundo, Raheem Palmer, Joe House and Tate Frazier. Ringer founder Bill Simmons confirmed on X that the show will stream live on Twitch going forward, writing, “Doing every episode live on @Twitch. Avail on all pod platforms as well obviously.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Ringer (@ringer)

Twitch’s entire “Talk Shows & Podcasts” category accounted for less than 1% of live viewers as of Monday, according to analytics site Stream Charts. But the platform’s audience skews young, with nearly 70% of viewers between 18 and 34, a demographic fit for a show built around sports and gambling. Noah Malale, Spotify’s Director of Originals Partnerships and New Initiatives, framed the move as part of a broader distribution philosophy. “We always have wanted to meet fans where they are,” he said. “Bill and The Ringer have always wanted to be on the forefront of new media.”

The deal extends a pattern of Spotify loosening its once-exclusive grip on its podcast library. The company already distributes shows on YouTube and streams video episodes from some of its top originals on Netflix, a relationship that began carrying Ringer shows early in 2026 after an October 2025 announcement.

Twitch’s parent, Amazon, has spent years building out its own podcast footprint, including its 2020 acquisition of Wondery and programming deals with figures like DJ Khaled and Dan Patrick. The platform has also hosted other long-form talk formats recently, including a show from actor Keke Palmer and a live chat series from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check Out Our Podcast