Spotify Expands Audiobook Service to Over 180 Markets Globally
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Spotify is expanding its audiobook service to over 180 markets globally, making hundreds of thousands of titles available to more than 750 million users in over 120 languages, including Hebrew. The move aims to boost competition with other streaming services and audiobook platforms. Premium subscribers will get 12 hours of listening, while new subscription options are also available. The company is also improving user experience with new features, despite not planning to separate audiobooks from music on the home screen.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Spotify has expanded its audiobook service to over 180 markets worldwide, including Hebrew.
- More than 750 million users will now have access to hundreds of thousands of audiobook titles.
- Premium subscribers in select countries will receive 12 hours of audiobook listening monthly.
- The Audiobook+ service has garnered over one million subscribers and $100 million in annual revenue.
- Spotify is enhancing features like 'Page Match' and using AI for audiobook conversion.
- The company will not separate audiobooks from music on the home screen, prioritizing personalization.
Spotify announced Wednesday its significant expansion of audiobook access to over 180 markets worldwide, including Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. This move will make hundreds of thousands of titles available to more than 750 million users in over 120 languages, including Hebrew. The company aims to strengthen its position against competitors in the music and audio streaming sector, such as YouTube, and dedicated audiobook apps like Audible.
Previously, audiobooks were primarily available in English-speaking markets like the United States, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, along with Germany. Now, the platform will offer over 350,000 titles in numerous languages. Premium subscribers in select countries will receive 12 hours of audiobook listening per month. Additionally, users globally can purchase a standalone Audiobook+ subscription for 15 hours of listening or buy individual titles.
The Audiobook+ service has already attracted over one million subscribers and generated more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue since its launch last year. Spotify is also enhancing the audiobook experience with features like 'Page Match,' which allows users to scan a physical book page to find the corresponding listening point. The company reported a 40% increase in monthly listeners and a 30% rise in listening hours over the past year, and has introduced audiobook charts and AI tools for converting books to audio.
Despite user requests for a feature to separate non-music content on the home screen, Spotify stated it has no plans to create such a distinction. The company believes in a personalized experience that integrates various content formats, meaning the home screen will continue to feature a mix of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks based on its algorithm.