Spotify expands audiobook access to family plan members for the first time

Spotify has revealed exciting updates to its premium audiobook service, introducing two new plans designed to enhance the listening experience for subscribers and their families. This expansion is currently available to Spotify Premium users in select regions including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries, following successful trials in Ireland and Canada. The first of the new offerings, called Audiobooks+, allows Premium subscribers or those managing a Family or Duo plan to add an additional 15 hours of audiobook listening each month. This effectively doubles the existing 15 hours included in Spotify's Premium plans, enabling users to enjoy longer titles or multiple shorter books within the month. The second plan, Audiobooks+ for Plan Members, is particularly beneficial for families. Members on Premium Family and Duo plans will also gain access to the same 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening. Spotify has indicated that similar plans will be rolled out in the U.S. in the future, according to TechCrunch. To take advantage of these new features, family plan members must request audiobook access from their plan manager, who will then purchase the add-on. Additionally, if members exhaust their listening time before the billing cycle resets, they have the option to buy a one-time top-up of 10 hours. While Spotify has not disclosed the pricing details for these new plans, they vary by market. Users can visit the Spotify audiobooks page for more information. Notably, HarperCollins has acknowledged Spotify's efforts to allow family members to share audiobook access, indicating a growing market potential. Furthermore, Spotify is exploring artificial intelligence to expand its offerings, including collaborations with Eleven Labs to enhance book narration and translation capabilities. With a catalog boasting 375,000 audiobooks, Spotify's model allows users to purchase audiobook hours rather than individual titles, providing a risk-free way to explore new content without financial commitment on books that may not meet their expectations.