The audio-first landscape of Bill Simmons’ The Ringer is undergoing a significant transformation, embracing video content through major partnerships with Samsung TV Plus and Netflix. This strategic expansion marks a pivotal moment for how fans will access beloved shows like “The Rewatchables” and “The Big Picture,” delivering them directly to televisions and streaming platforms in a new visual format.
For years, Bill Simmons has been a titan in the sports and pop culture media landscape, culminating in the creation of The Ringer. What started as a website and podcast network in 2016 quickly grew into a formidable content empire, eventually acquired by Spotify in 2020 for an estimated $250 million, as reported by Variety. Now, The Ringer is making its most ambitious leap yet into the visual realm, launching a dedicated FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus and forging a broad partnership with Netflix.
The Ringer 24/7 on Samsung TV Plus: A New Lean-Back Experience
In a move signaling Spotify’s commitment to wider content distribution, The Ringer has debuted its first-ever FAST (free, ad-supported television) channel on Samsung TV Plus. Available exclusively in the U.S., this 24-hour streaming channel offers a curated selection of video podcasts, transforming the traditional audio experience into a “lean-back TV experience” for millions of users, according to AOL. This includes shows designed to appeal directly to our community of classic film and pop culture enthusiasts.
The rotating lineup on The Ringer’s FAST channel features several fan favorites:
- The Rewatchables: This beloved podcast, a staple for film buffs, dives deep into timeless movies, with Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and other Ringer personalities dissecting classic films from every angle.
- The Big Picture: Hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, this show reviews essential movies, offers award show analysis, and engages in movie drafts, providing insightful commentary for cinephiles.
- Book of Basketball 2.0: While focused on basketball, Simmons’ extensive project connects with his analytical approach seen in his film discussions, providing deep dives into history and impact.
- Higher Learning With Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay: A broader cultural commentary, offering sharp insights into news, politics, and culture.
- Speidi’s 16th Minute: A dose of pop culture and celebrity gossip, breaking down social media trends.
- The Ringer-Verse: The ultimate hub for nerd culture, perfect for deep dives into franchises like Star Wars and Marvel.
- The Dave Chang Show & The Recipe Club: While food-focused, these shows often touch upon broader cultural topics and celebrity discussions, appealing to diverse interests.
- House of R: Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson provide signature deep-dives into fictional universes like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel.
This expansion leverages Samsung TV Plus’s massive global reach of 88 million active users, offering advertisers a direct pipeline to “engaged podcast audiences” on FAST platforms.
Netflix Joins the Video Podcast Boom with The Ringer
Further solidifying The Ringer’s move into video, Spotify and Netflix announced a landmark deal to stream a selection of video podcasts from The Ringer and Spotify Studios. This partnership is set to launch in the U.S. in early 2026, with other markets to follow, as reported by AOL. This collaboration represents Netflix’s latest effort to diversify its content beyond traditional films and TV shows, responding to the burgeoning popularity of video podcasts, a format where YouTube currently leads in consumption.
The Netflix lineup will include several prominent Ringer podcasts:
- The Bill Simmons Podcast: The flagship show from Bill Simmons, the most downloaded sports podcast of all time.
- The Rewatchables: A welcome addition for film enthusiasts on the streaming giant.
- The Big Picture: Continuing its film analysis and commentary for a broader audience.
- The Dave Chang Show: Exploring food and culture with insightful guests.
- Various Ringer sports shows covering the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1.
This deal highlights a significant shift in Spotify’s strategy, moving away from exclusive content agreements towards broader distribution. Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify’s Vice President and Head of Podcasts, noted that this partnership “marks a new chapter for podcasting,” aiming to expand discovery and help creators reach new audiences globally, according to the Associated Press via AOL.
A Win for Classic Film and Pop Culture Enthusiasts
For our community at onlytrustedinfo.com, these developments are particularly exciting. Shows like “The Rewatchables” and “The Big Picture,” which offer deep analytical dives into classic films and cinematic trends, will now be accessible through a visually rich format directly on smart TVs and popular streaming services. This means more ways to consume the expert commentary and passionate discussions that fans crave, enhancing the viewing experience by allowing audiences to see the hosts as they debate, analyze, and celebrate the movies we love.
The ability to tune into The Ringer’s FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus for an always-on stream of film analysis, or to select specific video podcast episodes on Netflix, provides unprecedented flexibility. This evolution caters to a changing media landscape where creators increasingly film their shows in addition to recording audio, recognizing the power of visual storytelling to engage audiences more deeply.
The Strategic Play: Spotify’s Evolving Vision
These partnerships underscore Spotify’s evolving role in the audio industry. While once focused heavily on securing exclusive deals, such as with Joe Rogan (whose show, notably, is not part of the initial Netflix deal), the company is now prioritizing wider distribution. This strategic pivot aims to maximize content discovery and audience reach, turning their acquired assets like The Ringer into multi-platform powerhouses. As Geoff Chow, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Studios and Managing Director of The Ringer, stated, “Bringing The Ringer to Samsung TV Plus is an exciting evolution — expanding our reach and allowing audiences to engage with our content in new ways,” as cited by AOL. This approach positions The Ringer, and Spotify by extension, at the forefront of the growing video podcast movement, securing its relevance in a competitive digital media ecosystem.
