What's the Buzz?

Spotify has just announced a game-changing update to its premium subscriptions, bringing joy to book lovers around the globe. Starting tomorrow (October 4), users in the UK and Australia will be the first to enjoy this exciting new perk, with the US set to follow suit sometime during the winter.

The Lowdown

Spotify, the popular streaming service, is now offering a vast collection of over 150,000 audiobooks as part of its premium subscription package. The best part? There's no additional cost for this impressive addition. Among the titles included are works by renowned authors such as Richard Osman, Stephen King, Michelle Obama, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Adam Kay.

As part of their existing premium subscription, users will have access to 15 hours of audiobooks each month. And for those eager to dive deeper into their favorite novels, a top-up option is available to purchase an extra 10 hours.

This upgraded feature comes at a time when Spotify is facing stiff competition from rivals like Apple Music and YouTube Music. In an effort to stand out, streaming platforms have been focusing on securing exclusive podcast deals. Spotify, for example, made headlines with its £18 million podcast partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which unfortunately only produced 12 episodes and a "Holiday Special" within 31 months. The collaboration was ultimately terminated in June.

Why It Matters

Spotify claims to have the largest catalog of any audiobook streaming platform that operates on a subscription basis. Over 70% of the titles available are bestselling works from around the world, including prestigious publishing houses like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and RB Media, as well as independent publishers such as Dreamscape and Pushkin.

The addition of audiobooks to the Spotify app was initially introduced in November 2022, but users had to purchase each title individually. With this new upgrade, subscribers can dive into a vast library of captivating stories without any extra charges. Notably, Spotify's Premium subscription is priced at £10.99, the same as Apple Music and YouTube Music.