Topline
Spotify has taken down 113 episodes of the Joe Rogan Experience, it emerged Saturday, after Rogan issued an apology for using racial slurs on his podcast, widening scrutiny of the comedian and commentator amid a boycott of the streaming platform by artists for allowing Rogan to spread Covid-19 misinformation.
Comedian Joe Rogan performs at The Ice House Comedy Club on April 17, 2019, in Pasadena, California. … [+]
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Key Facts
The total comes from a website that tracks episodes of Rogan’s podcast that have been pulled from Spotify, JRE Missing – Forbes confirmed that the episodes are not available on the streaming service (the disappearance of 70 episodes was previously reported by CNET).
All except one of the episodes were recorded before the coronavirus pandemic took off in the United States, which makes it unlikely their removal was linked to Rogan’s dubious claims about Covid-19.
It was Rogan’s decision to remove the episodes after consulting with Spotify, Bloomberg reported.
Rogan posted an Instagram video Saturday apologizing for his use of racial slurs on his show and likening a predominantly Black neighborhood to the movie the Planet of the Apes, saying it was a “teachable moment” for him.
His apology came after the musician India.Arie posted a video on Instagram this week compiling times he used such language.
Joe Rogan and Spotify did not immediately respond to a Forbes request for comment.
Tangent
As of April, Spotify had removed more than 40 episodes of Rogan’s podcasts, including one with far-right activists Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and Gavin Mcinnes, since its 2020 deal with Rogan to host his podcast.
Key Background
Last month, rock star Neil Young asked Spotify to remove his music from the platform as a protest over the airing of false information about Covid-19 vaccines on the Joe Rogan Experience. Young has been joined by a number of musicians. Joni Mitchell, Dave Crosby and Stephen Sills are among a growing list of artists who have followed Young’s lead and requested their content be removed. Medical professionals have also raised concerns about Rogan’s platforming of Covid-19 misinformation. The latest controversy is a significant test for Spotify, which reportedly spent more than $100 million in 2020 to bring Rogan’s show to the streaming service from YouTube. Rogan’s podcast reaches an estimated 11 million people per episode, making it Spotify’s most popular show. Rogan apologized for the controversy on Sunday, acknowledging his podcast has become an “out-of-control juggernaut,” and said he will “balance things out” moving forward. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek told CNBC Thursday he felt good about his handling of the controversy, claiming he had done what medical professionals had asked him to, referring to measures he outlined Sunday to “combat misinformation,” such as adding a content warning to episodes about Covid-19.
Further Reading
More than 70 episodes of Joe Rogan’s podcast are no longer on Spotify (CNET)
Joe Rogan Apologizes Over Spotify Podcast Controversy, Says He Will Seek ‘Balance’ In The Future (Forbes)
Crosby And Stills Join Nash And Young In Spotify Boycott Over Joe Rogan — Here’s The Full List (Forbes)
Spotify CEO says he feels good about how he handled Joe Rogan controversy as stock drops (CNBC)