Blog: Spotify - Page 5

Read our latest daily deep dives, hot takes, and exciting updates about the entertainment world. Check out the latest insight from your favourite analyst, or search by coverage areas - music, entertainment and fandom, creator economy and social.

The New York Times audio app is a bet on podcast exclusivity — here is why it might work

Annie Langston

24 May 2023

The New York Times Podcasts Exclusive

Last week, The New York Times (NYT) debuted their official audio app, NYT Audio . NYT produces many popular podcasts, including The Daily and This American Life , utilising multiple streaming platforms to grow their audiences.

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A new era of music fluidity is here

Tatiana Cirisano

23 May 2023

Music fandom user-generated content Social media

What do AI Drake, adaptive music, and TikTok open-verse challenges have in common? All reflect a major shift of music consumption from a passive, static, and uni-directional experience to an active, dynamic, multi-directional one.

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YouTube’s podcast push raises the question: what actually is a podcast?

Annie Langston

18 May 2023

Spotify YouTube TikTok

Podcast videos have been all the rage as of late, with YouTube officially launching its podcast vertical — although Bloomberg reports that NPR, Slate, and The New York Times have struggled to kickstart their YouTube presence.

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Why the creator tools and services market is bigger than you think (and it is not AI)

Tatiana Cirisano

10 May 2023

Music creators creator tools Creator economy

One of the biggest stories of the past few years is the rise of self-releasing artists, who number 6.4 million in 2022, a 16.8% growth from 2021. Everyone wants a piece of that growth, which is part of the reason why distributors like Stem and TuneCore increasingly offer much more than distribution,...

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How gamers are levelling up the podcast market

Annie Langston

10 May 2023

Twitch YouTube Spotify

Games-inspired content is proving to create film and television hits. With TV shows like The Last of Us, and feature films like Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves , gaming fans are a key entertainment audience that podcasts can also attract.

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Spotify podcast earnings: Moving beyond the investment phase

Annie Langston

3 May 2023

Spotify earnings advertising

Spotify’s Q1 2023 earnings revealed its growing userbase — now at 515 million monthly active users (MAUs) — and some key insights into its podcast vertical. First quarter revenue fell short of expectations, although podcast ad revenue, mostly driven by originals and exclusives, grew 20% year-o...

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By backpedalling its exclusive strategy, Spotify puts its content to the test

Annie Langston

26 Apr 2023

Spotify YouTube exclusivity

Since Spotify began its audio investments in 2019, it has spearheaded the exclusive podcast strategy to attract users to the platform. Now, Spotify is giving some of its Gimlet shows, such as Science Vs.

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Spotify is radio’s middleman to podcasts – but will this guarantee new listeners?

Annie Langston

19 Apr 2023

Spotify Radio Gen Z

Although radio set the stage for podcasts, its transition into the digital space has been challenging. Now, Spotify is simplifying this process. With its 2021 acquisition of podcast tech company Whooshkaa, Spotify is rolling out its “broadcast-to-podcast” technology, which allows broadcasters to...

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As Spotify joins the live audio shutdown, can Amp and Spaces get it right?

Annie Langston

12 Apr 2023

live audio Spotify Twitter

On the heels of cancelling several live audio shows, Spotify is now entirely shutting down its live audio app Spotify Live . Spotify was one of many major platforms to invest in live audio after Clubhouse kickstarted the craze during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is not the only company now struggli...

Cover image for As Spotify joins the live audio shutdown, can Amp and Spaces get it right?

Audible’s new podcast singing competition asks: is audio-only enough?

Annie Langston

22 Mar 2023

Audible Spotify singing competition

The rise of podcast videos are breathing new life into the audio market. Since 20% (Q4 2022 MIDiA Research) of all consumers are watching podcast videos, and content must often exist in multiple formats to attract attention today, both listeners and platforms, like Spotify , are shifting their focus...

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Spotify’s vertical feed could change music discovery, but not for the reason you think

Tatiana Cirisano

9 Mar 2023

Music streaming Spotify SoundCloud

Just a few years ago, Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist was a harbinger for culture. But a lot has changed. Artists want (and need) to build deeper relationships with fans, and gen Z consumers want more active content experiences.

Cover image for Spotify’s vertical feed could change music discovery, but not for the reason you think

Spotify’s Stream On event recycles podcast features in a new feed

Annie Langston

9 Mar 2023

Spotify Podcasts Creators

At Spotify’s annual Stream On event, the company announced a new, TikTok-style home screen and various “new” podcast features. Following the podcast investment boom, platforms need experimentation and discovery tools to both attract creators and entice new audiences.

Cover image for Spotify’s Stream On event recycles podcast features in a new feed

How AI will shake up the podcast market

Annie Langston

8 Mar 2023

AI Spotify Adobe

AI technology is shaking up every entertainment format . With AI technology, podcasters can simplify their creative processes and platforms can revolutionise traditional market practices. Major platforms such as Apple Books have already implemented this technology with its digital narration featur...

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Streaming is becoming more like radio — what now?

Tatiana Cirisano

2 Mar 2023

Music streaming Spotify YouTube Music

Last week, both YouTube Music and Spotify launched new, radio-like features. Spotify introduced an AI-powered voice DJ, which will talk to users about why songs are included in personalised mixes. Meanwhile, YouTube Music is giving users more ways to customise streaming radio stations — they can n...

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YouTube Music’s podcast launch reveals competitive agenda with Spotify

Annie Langston

1 Mar 2023

Podcasts YouTube YouTube Music

After months of speculation , YouTube has officially launched podcasts — on YouTube Music . This U.S.-only launch includes both audio and video podcasts, making podcasts that were already on YouTube available on its music streaming platform.

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Should streaming take a cue from TikTok’s revamped creator program?

Tatiana Cirisano

23 Feb 2023

Music streaming Spotify music industry

A year ago, VidCon co-founder and vlogger Hank Green posted a viral YouTube video lambasting TikTok’s $1 billion Creator Fund, claiming it delivered chump change to videos with millions of views. The issue, he explained, was that the pool of funds was static — so the more that TikTok’s creator...

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Blue Wire and fuboTV’s new deal is a slam dunk for sports podcasts

Annie Langston

22 Feb 2023

Blue Wire FuboTV Podcasts

Sports podcasts, hosted by sports writers, athletes, and other creators, are among the top podcast genres, as 30% of podcast listeners say they regularly listen to sports podcasts. Many platforms and networks have explored the genre, such as iHeart , which has deals with the NHL and NBA, and Spotify...

Cover image for Blue Wire and fuboTV’s new deal is a slam dunk for sports podcasts

Is it goodbye to Google Podcasts? How YouTube’s podcast takeover has begun

Annie Langston

15 Feb 2023

YouTube Google Google Podcasts

One of our 2023 predictions is that YouTube will become a key player in the podcast market. YouTube is now the top podcast platform at 49% monthly penetration — compared to Spotify at 41% — despite not having a clear podcast strategy (MIDiA Research Consumer Survey Q4 2022).

Cover image for Is it goodbye to Google Podcasts? How YouTube’s podcast takeover has begun

How radio broadcasters can become key players in the podcast market chessboard

Annie Langston

8 Feb 2023

Radio Spotify BBC

Last week, Spotify announced an exclusive podcast deal with journalist Louis Theroux , one of BBC’s most notable personalities. Theroux is the latest radio talent to make the move to podcasting, which has become radio’s younger, cooler sibling.

Cover image for How radio broadcasters can become key players in the podcast market chessboard

What Spotify’s podcast layoffs indicate about the changing audio market

Annie Langston

1 Feb 2023

Spotify advertising YouTube

For the last few years, audio companies have funnelled millions of dollars into the podcast market. Yet, the economic recession indicates that the boom of investment into podcasts may be reaching its peak.

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