Spotify now lets you stream narrated magazine articles, too

In a significant move to enhance its audio offerings, Spotify has announced the introduction of narrated long-form magazine articles on its platform. This new feature, available to Premium subscribers, allows users to enjoy 15 hours of audiobook listening each month. For those using the free version, individual articles can be purchased for $1.99. Starting today, users can access over 650 curated articles from renowned publications such as Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, Vogue, Variety, Billboard, Vibe, GQ, Wired, Vanity Fair, and Pitchfork, all in English. These articles are produced in-house by Spotify's audiobooks team and are designed to complement the platform’s existing podcast library. Spotify's narrated articles will feature a blend of human and digital voice narration, with clear labeling indicating which portions utilize digital voices. The company aims to diversify its audio content, encouraging users to explore beyond music and potentially leading them to engage with long-form listening options like audiobooks. Colleen Prendergast, Licensing Lead at Spotify Audiobooks, emphasized the importance of this addition, stating, "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." Currently, Spotify offers audiobook listening hours to its paid subscribers, with options for additional hours available for those who exceed their monthly limit. There is also a $9.99 monthly Audiobook Access plan for free users and an $11.99 Audiobooks+ plan that provides doubled listening hours. This launch follows a recent surge of innovative features from Spotify, including AI-generated podcasts and AI-powered audiobook creation, showcasing the platform's commitment to expanding its audio landscape.