Comedian Hasan Minhaj returns as The Riddler in new Spotify podcast series

Among the many wave of Spotify bulletins popping out of at this time’s Spotify Stream On occasion, the corporate additionally shared some thrilling information with podcast listeners– in specific, Batman followers. Spotify is launching a new podcast series “The Riddler: Secrets in the Dark,” starring comedian-actor Hasan Minhaj as The Riddler.

As a part of Spotify’s unique multiyear partnership with DC and Warner Bros, “The Riddler: Secrets and techniques in the Darkish” will premiere later this yr and can see Minhaj reprise his function as the super-villain. Minhaj starred in the 2022 Spotify podcast “Batman Unburied,” which starred Winston Duke as the notorious Darkish Night time. Batman/Bruce Wayne may even seem in the new podcast series together with Barbara Gordon and Alfred.

“The Riddler: Secrets and techniques in the Darkish” is a scripted “Batman” spinoff series that follows an surprising duo– The Riddler and Batman – as they carry down one other supervillain tormenting the streets of Gotham Metropolis.

“Audiences are going to journey again to Gotham Metropolis with me in a narrative that leaves clues, puzzles and shines a highlight on my private favourite character, The Riddler,” Minhaj said in the announcement video.

“Batman Unburied” premiered on the audio streaming service in Might 2022 and climbed its approach up Spotify’s prime podcast charts. At one level, it even took the crown from “The Joe Rogan Expertise,” which was the No. 1 podcast globally on Spotify in 2022 regardless of its controversial host.

Plus, Spotify just lately launched “Harley Quinn and The Joker: Sound Mind,” which was additionally an enormous hit amongst followers, reaching the highest of the charts in six markets, in keeping with the corporate.

As Spotify bets on authentic programming to spice up its general podcast technique, the DC podcasts are definitely a sensible transfer being that podcasts with recognizable characters, particularly from the Batman franchise, will possible carry out effectively in this IP-driven world we reside in.

Talking of recognizable voices, Spotify additionally announced at this time an unique video partnership with Markiplier (Mark Fishbach), the favored YouTuber with 34.5 million subscribers and roughly over 19 billion views. The partnership permits for Markiplier to supply unique video episodes of “Distractible” and Go! My Favorite Sports Team.”

“Whereas we love the audio world and nonetheless intention to convey you the easiest in auditory experiences, by bringing our faces into the combination, we intention to offer you an as-yet-unseen dimension to your listening expertise. Think about in the event you might scent a film, think about in the event you might scent us . . . who is aware of what the long run will convey?” Markiplier mentioned in a hilarious and thought-provoking assertion.

Now, as a substitute of simply listening to his voice, Spotify customers may even get to look at movies of Markiplier alongside his content material creator mates Wade Barnes and Bob Muysken.

One other podcast getting video episodes are “Forbidden Fruits” with actresses Julia Fox and Niki Takesh, which can return for a second season on March 17. The new episodes might be launched as an all-video podcast, reflecting the rising development of video-led podcasting.

In response to Spotify, there are over 70,000 video creators on the platform. In April 2022, Spotify expanded the flexibility for creators to publish video podcasts in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the U.Okay.

Individually, the corporate revealed that “The Remark Part” hosted by TikTok star Drew Afualo, can be shifting completely to Spotify on April 5.

Throughout at this time’s occasion, Spotify introduced an array of new podcaster instruments, such as a redesigned Podcasters dashboard that features an Anchor integration and the launch of a new characteristic “Autoplay for Podcasts.” Plus, the corporate is teaming up with Patreon to permit customers to take heed to Patreon content material on Spotify.