Former $Apple Inc(AAPL.US)$ Podcasts executive N’Jeri Eaton announced she is moving over to streaming giant $Netflix Inc(NFLX.US)$.
What Happened: N’Jeri Eaton said on Twitter that she is joining Netflix to lead its podcast operations. Eaton had announced last week that she was stepping down from Apple.
I'm thrilled to join Netflix as the Head of Podcasts. 16 years ago, I watched three DVDs from Netflix a day while working the late night lab shift at a university. My obsession for storytelling has taken me all kinds of places but this is truly a dream!
— N’Jeri Eaton (she/her) (@njerieaton) July 9, 2021
According to a report by Bloomberg, Eaton will manage Netflix’s slate of podcasts, most of which are related to its original TV series and movies. She will be part of the company’s editorial and publishing team, which reports to Chief Marketing Officer Bozoma Saint John.
Why It Matters: Netflix mainly sees podcasts as a way to promote its television shows and movies. “Netflix Podcasts explore the world of Netflix through audio,” the company says on its website.
Netflix has made companion podcasts to Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” as well as TV shows such as “The Crown,” “Stranger Things” and “The Witcher.”
Competition has intensified in the podcast segment in recent years as tech companies invest more in the segment. It was reported in March that Apple is set to lose its top spot for U.S. podcast listenership to $Spotify Technology SA(SPOT.US)$ this year, based on a market forecast by eMarketer.
In April, Apple annouced Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, a global marketplace that could help the company compete against Spotify.
Price Action: Netflix shares closed almost 1% lower in Thursday’s trading session at $530.76.