Spotify Adds Narrated Articles From Vogue, Rolling Stone And Other Publishers
Spotify has launched narrated magazine articles from publishers including Vogue and Rolling Stone as part of its expanding audiobook strategy.
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Spotify is launching narrated long-form articles from top publishers such as Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety and Vanity Fair for audiobook listeners on its platform, the company said.
According to a news report by the Reuters, the Swedish streaming company said it will initially provide more than 650 English language narrated magazine articles as part of its broader content expansion strategy.
The articles that are narrated will be produced by Spotify’s in-house Audiobooks team and will usually be less than two hours long, the company said.
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Spotify Audio Strategy:
Premium audiobook subscribers will get the articles as part of their monthly audiobook plan, while free users can buy individual narrated stories for $1.99 each.
The company said the initiative is intended to boost engagement across its audiobook ecosystem and get users to build more consistent listening habits.
Shorter-form audio content could boost long-term engagement with books, spoken word formats, said Colleen Prendergast.
“By bringing shorter form content into the mix, we’re meeting audiences where they are to help build healthy listening habits, ultimately growing engagement with books over time,” said Prendergast.
Spotify has been growing its audiobook business steadily since it introduced the category just over two years ago.
Co-CEO Alex Norstrom said the company already has about 20 percent of the audiobook market in the United States.
Spotify said the audiobook offering is now available in 22 international markets.
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Premium Ecosystem Expansion:
The new expansion is the latest as Spotify continues to diversify beyond music streaming in the face of mounting competition from AI-powered music startups like Udio and Suno, and bigger podcast and video rivals like YouTube and Netflix.
Recently the company announced a number of new initiatives to reinforce its premium ecosystem.
Last week Spotify announced a partnership with Universal Music Group to let subscribers make AI-generated covers and remixes using tracks from a select group of artists.
Spotify also launched a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment called “Reserved” that allows eligible premium subscribers to buy concert tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
