Cheyenne Suarez

Video podcasts gain ground as Filipino creators redefine storytelling on Spotify

Article (news)

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753939516916Main Visual.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Handout </div>MANILA — The podcast landscape in the Philippines is evolving as video transforms what was once a predominantly audio platform into a more immersive and interactive medium.Filipino creators are rapidly adopting video formats, with the number of local podcasters publishing video content on Spotify growing nearly fourfold over the past year, the streamer reported in a statement Wednesday.Driven by listener demand for more authentic and expressive content, the Philippines has emerged as one of Spotify’s top three video podcast markets in the Asia-Pacific region, it added.“More than just a feature, we’re seeing Filipino creators embrace video as a natural extension of the way they share stories,” said Carl Zuzarte, Spotify’s Head of Studios for Southeast Asia.More than half of the Philippines&#x27; top 20 podcasts on Spotify now offer video content, allowing audiences to engage with hosts in a more personal way. From subtle facial expressions during banter to the chemistry between co-hosts and guests, video adds a visual layer that deepens the connection with listeners. Spotify reported a 35% increase in monthly video podcast listeners in the Philippines.For veteran radio personalities Sam YG and DJ Chacha, video reinvigorated their long-running show &#x27;Lecheng Pag-ibig &#x27;To,&quot; known for its candid takes on love and heartbreak.“Video makes everything feel more alive and helps us be even more animated in our storytelling,” Sam said. “They can actually see how shocked or excited we are when we tell our stories — and it turned our podcast into a whole show in itself.”<div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753939814460image002.png" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Handout"/>Handout</div>Content creators Ashley Rivera and Hershey Neri of &quot;Chicks 2 Go&quot; also embraced video from the start, crafting a podcast experience rich in visuals, themed episodes, and even surprise appearances by their pets.“As visual creators, video has always been a creative outlet for us to explore new storytelling,” Rivera said. “When we created Chicks 2 Go, we knew that video would make our podcast more fun to watch and feel more personal.”<div> </div><div>Fan interaction</div>The rise of video podcasts is also changing how audiences consume content. Younger listeners, in particular, are seamlessly switching between video and audio formats depending on their routines — watching dramatic segments, switching to audio while on the go, and returning to video playback at home.Spotify’s interactive features, such as polls and comment sections, have further blurred the lines between creators and their audiences.Fan interaction now directly shapes content for shows like &quot;Lecheng Pag-ibig &#x27;To,&quot; where listener messages and suggestions often inspire new episodes.“People tell us what they want to hear next, and we listen,” Sam said. “We’ve even done episodes based on a listener’s comment or letter. That’s why we make it a point to thank them for the content inspiration through shout-outs. We want them to  know that we see them, and their input makes all the difference.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753939914982image003.png" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Handout"/>Handout </div>At &quot;Chicks 2 Go,&quot; the duo’s community of “chicksters” actively contributes to the show by suggesting topics and creating memes from episode highlights.“It’s more than a podcast — it’s one big friendship,” Neri said. “Their stories and insights help shape the show, and in the process, we all get to know each other better.”As Filipino podcasters continue to explore video formats, they are fostering vibrant communities where listeners are not just passive consumers but active collaborators — signaling a shift in podcasting’s future from mere conversation to genuine connection.

Popular shows like 'Lecheng Pag-ibig 'To' and 'Chicks 2 Go' are using video to deepen connections with their audiences, transforming podcasts from one-way conversations into collaborative communities.

Popular shows like ' Lecheng Pag-ibig 'To' and ' Chicks 2 Go' are using video to deepen connections with their audiences, transforming podcasts from one-way conversations into collaborative communities.