Netflix tasked former Apple executive Steve Wilson to lead the streamer’s podcasting division, TheWrap has learned.
Bloomberg first reported the executive’s appointment Monday, which comes just over a week after Peter Rice replaced Bela Bajaria as the streamer’s chief content officer.
Wilson spent nearly 15 years at Apple from 2006 to 2020, where he was one of the earliest members of the Apple Podcasts team. He previously served as the chief strategy officer for Daylight Media, formerly named QCODE, from 2020 to 2026.
“If you’ve worked with me for any amount of time, you know I’m happiest building,” Wilson wrote in a LinkedIn post, announcing his exit from Daylight last month. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what creators actually need from platforms, and about community and in-person at a moment when trust online is thin. More soon.”
QCODE created original scripted podcasts, including “The Prophecy” with Kerry Washington, “Carrier” starring Cynthia Erivo and “Blackout” with Rami Malek. They also produced “The Edge of Sleep” with creator Markiplier.
The company has also produced unscripted podcasts like Rachel Dratch’s “Woo Woo” podcast and Washington’s “Street You Grew Up On” interview series.
This appointment comes as Netflix has made efforts to expand its podcast offerings. The company has acquired podcasts in distribution deals with Barstool, Spotify and iHeart Media. Licensed podcasts streaming on platform include Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose,” Jake Shane’s “Therapuss” and “The Breakfast Club.”
Netflix also produces some original podcasts tied to popular titles like the “Outer Banks” and “Bridgerton” official podcasts. “Shut Up Evan” and “The Pete Davidson Show” also stream exclusively on Netflix.
Netflix omitted video podcasts from its viewership data from the first half of 2026.
The company has expanded its podcast and digital video offerings, partnering with BuzzFeed, Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines, People Inc, Tastemade and Penske Media’s PMX brands. This partnership brought popular YouTube series from Architectural Digest, Elle and more directly to streaming audiences.
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