Joe Rogan is ready to quit JRE Podcast if pressed by Spotify

Ultimate Fighting Championship commentator Joe Rogan, best known for hosting The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) Podcast on Spotify, says he is ready to leave the music streaming giant if he is forced to "walk on eggshells."

In May 2020, Spotify secured an exclusive streaming license, reportedly costing a mammoth $200 million, and has since attracted roughly 11 million listeners every episode, a massive accolade for the platform.

However, this February, the show was criticised for spreading "life-threatening" coronavirus misinformation and sparked a move on social media to cancel Rogan over the controversy. Subsequently, Spotify responded by removing episodes and marking multiple episodes with content advisory disclaimers. 

Joe Rogan says he will quit JRE Podcast if pressured by Spotify

During a recent JRE Podcast (#1797) episode, Rogan addressed his qualms against the streaming giant with mixed martial arts icon Josh Barnett. Speaking about what he would do if he couldn't continue to exercise his creative freedom with his show, Rogan said he would resign from the show entirely.

"I'll quit. If it gets to a point where I can't do it anymore, or where I have to do it in some sort of weird way or where I walk on eggshells and mind my p's and q's, f*ck that," said the star podcast host.

Later in the episode, Rogan commented on being at the centre of constant public scrutiny, with critics picking apart everything he says. "There are more people poring over it, but it's the same thing. I do it the same way," he said.

Spotify has removed 113 JRE Podcast episodes from the platform to date, each seemingly disconnected from the drama embroiling Rogan earlier in the year. Unsurprisingly, Rogan's latest remark has been positively received by fans, who support Rogan's view, claiming he would excel on an independent platform because people will follow.

"He is right. I think he should drop the exclusive deal, create his own app and also run his show on all platforms that would have him. He doesn't need the money. The important point here is that people will follow. Period!" wrote one user on YouTube.

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Despite earlier scepticism regarding the reduced efficacy of Rogan's podcast ahead of his move from YouTube to exclusively streaming on Spotify, the JRE Podcast has continued to flourish. Therefore, this fan's sentiment does hold some substance; however, only time will tell how far Rogan is willing to be pushed.

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Featured image courtesy of YouTube / JRE Podcast.