Spotify Expands into Long-Form Audio with Narrated Magazine Articles
Spotify is venturing into long-form content, introducing narrated audio articles from publications like Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, and Billboard to its platform.
Spotify is expanding its horizons into the realm of long-form magazine articles.
On Tuesday, May 26th, the streaming giant announced that it will now host narrated audio articles from a diverse array of outlets, including Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety, Billboard, Vibe, GQ, WIRED, Vanity Fair, and Pitchfork. At launch, the platform boasts over 650 long-form articles, currently available in English to users in markets where audiobooks are supported. Premium users can access each narrated article, which is under two hours long, as part of their monthly audiobook allowance. Free users have the option to purchase individual articles for $1.99 each.
"As we have seen with bringing audiences over from podcasts, Articles will allow people to trial shorter, less intimidating listens, opening the gateway to explore longer-form listening like books," Spotify noted in a blog post regarding the launch.
"With Articles, we’re introducing long-form journalism in audio as a natural extension of the music, podcasts, and audiobooks people already come to Spotify for, focused on topics we know they love,” said Colleen Prendergast, licensing lead at Spotify Audiobooks, in a statement. “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.”
Julian Holguin, CEO at Rolling Stone, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Spotify in what we see as a natural synergy between two platforms that celebrate music and culture. This collaboration with Articles allows us to deepen the connection between our readers and the artists, stories, and features they care about, while also providing an opportunity for discovery. By making Rolling Stone’s journalism more accessible on Spotify, we’re excited to bring our storytelling to an even wider audience.”
According to the blog post, Spotify has expanded audiobooks into 22 markets since launching just over two years ago and has grown listening hours 60% year over year.
Billboard VIP Pass
Related Articles
Listen to Spotifyworld remix on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
Comments (0)
Login to comment