In its newest try and develop into the one audio streaming service you want, Spotify is reportedly planning to check a free audiobook bundle for paid members quickly. Based on The Wall Road Journal, Spotify is teaming up with a number of the prime publishers within the US on the upcoming pilot program. These invited to check the brand new characteristic will be capable to take heed to audiobooks for as much as 20 hours with out paying greater than they already do, sources declare.
The report additionally says that the check will doubtless be restricted to English-speaking international locations, such because the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada. There can even supposedly be all kinds of audiobooks accessible, however the actual providing remains to be being finalized.
If the check is profitable and Spotify does carry free audiobooks to Premium members, it might make the latest value hike sting a bit much less. In July, Spotify raised the costs of all its plans for the primary time because the streaming service launched within the US. Spotify Premium elevated from $9.99 to $10.99 a month, Premium Duo elevated from $12.99 to $14.99, Premium Household elevated from $15.99 to $16.99, and Premium Scholar elevated from $4.99 to $5.99.
Paying a greenback or two extra for 20 hours of free audiobook streaming isn’t a nasty deal.
Spotify started promoting audiobooks in 2022. There are already over 350,000 titles accessible on the service, however they will solely be bought on the internet. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek blames Apple’s App Retailer insurance policies, as Apple takes a 30% reduce of each sale from an iOS app. Consequently, it’s a must to purchase audiobooks in a browser earlier than you possibly can take heed to them within the app.
The free audiobook bundle would function a helpful commercial for Spotify’s audiobook retailer as nicely. Personally, regardless of having had a Spotify Premium subscription for years, I wasn’t actually conscious of the service’s sizable audiobook retailer till now. The free bundle wouldn’t be topic to Apple’s 30% price, which implies it may very well be supplied immediately by means of the app.
The bundle may additionally give Spotify an opportunity to compete with Amazon’s Audible, which has been the undisputed king of the trade for years. Knocking Audible off its perch is perhaps a tall job, however that $0 price ticket will tempt loads of avid e book listeners.