Netflix is doubling down on video podcasts, and it’s doing it the way it knows best: by building shows around major names that already draw big audiences. The company has announced two new Netflix original video podcasts starring comedian Pete Davidson and NFL legend Michael Irvin, signaling a bigger push to turn podcast-style programming into must-watch streaming content.
First up is Michael Irvin’s new series, The White House, which begins streaming January 19. Irvin is a Cowboys Hall-of-Famer with a long media career, and he’s already familiar to many Netflix viewers thanks to his prominent role in the documentary series America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys. That built-in connection could help the show find an audience quickly, especially among football fans looking for sharp takes, insider discussion, and a familiar voice breaking down the biggest stories in the sport.
Then, on January 30, Netflix will debut The Pete Davidson Show. Davidson has already proven he can perform on the platform with two comedy specials that did well for the streamer, and this new project leans into what fans like most about him: unfiltered humor and candid conversation. The series is described as behind-the-scenes talk with friends, filmed from Davidson’s own garage, and new episodes will drop every Friday—creating a consistent weekly routine for subscribers.
While both shows tap into celebrity appeal, their formats are designed to serve different audiences. The Pete Davidson Show aims for casual, conversational entertainment, while The White House focuses on sports news, analysis, and commentary twice a week. Irvin will also be joined by notable guest co-hosts, including former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall, which should add variety and keep discussions fresh.
These two additions also expand Netflix’s growing video podcast lineup, which already includes licensed titles from major audio and digital media networks. Some of those shows include Dear Chelsea, My Favorite Murder, and The Ringer. A notable part of Netflix’s approach is keeping certain licensed shows from being fully available on YouTube, which helps make Netflix a more exclusive destination for video podcast fans.
The bigger goal is clear: Netflix wants to compete more directly in the video podcast space, where YouTube is currently the dominant player. In 2025, viewers are reportedly watching more than 700 million hours of podcasts per month on living room devices, showing just how mainstream podcast viewing has become—especially on TVs, where Netflix already has strong reach.
Still, Netflix is building from behind. With millions of podcasts spread across YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms, the competition is massive and the content library elsewhere is deep. If Netflix wants to capture a meaningful share of that audience, it will need to ramp up its catalog and give viewers more reasons to treat the service as a go-to destination for podcasts, not just movies and TV series.
Netflix executives have also framed video podcasts as part of a wider plan to explore new forms of content, including more interactive formats. With recognizable talent like Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin leading the charge, Netflix’s next move in video podcasts looks designed to attract both comedy fans and sports viewers—and to keep subscribers watching week after week.
