Music streaming giant Spotify ventured into the world of audiobooks back in 2022. Initially limited to the US, the service has since expanded to several key markets around the globe.
For reference, Spotify Audiobooks aren’t entirely free. The streaming giant gives Premium subscribers 15 hours of audiobook listening time per month, paired with a separate $9.99/ per month Audiobooks Access Tier for free users.
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Now, Spotify is expanding similar access to its audiobook service via two new plans, designed to give Spotify Premium users in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein more listening hours. Additionally, and more importantly, the streaming giant’s new plan now includes audiobook access for additional family members on Premium Family and Duo accounts.
Spotify’s goal with audiobooks is to help grow the publishing industry and create the best possible experience for booklovers, which is why we’re launching flexible subscription plans to suit every type of fan.
Coming to the US soon
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According to the streaming giant, it ran trials for its new Audiobooks+ and Audiobooks+ for Plan Members in Ireland and Canada before expanding them to the aforementioned countries.
Audiobooks+, for reference, will allow individual premium subscribers, as well as Family and Duo plan managers, to add an extra 15 hours of audiobook listening each month. This is on top of the 15 hours that Premium subscribers already get.
Audiobook+ for Plan Members, on the other hand, offers the same perk as the Audiobooks+ plan, with the added option to share the additional 15 hours among members in your Premium Family or Duo plans. “Plan members just need to request audiobook access from their plan manager, who can purchase the add-on on their behalf. They can also purchase a one-time 10-hour top-up if they run out of hours before their monthly billing cycle refreshes,” wrote Spotify.
In a statement given to TechCrunch, Spotify confirmed that similar plans will “arrive later” in the US. Pricing for the new plans varies by market.
