Spotify Turns Magazines Into Audio Stories (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Spotify has introduced a new feature that allows users to listen to long-form magazine articles narrated by professional voices directly within the app. The update brings journalism from leading global publications into an audio format, similar to podcasts and audiobooks, marking another step in Spotify’s expansion beyond music streaming.
The company says the feature is designed for users who prefer listening over reading, especially during travel, daily chores or other multitasking moments. Each article is produced in a narrated format and runs for under two hours.
Spotify Premium subscribers can access the audio articles at no additional cost. However, listening time is counted within their monthly audiobook usage allowance. For non-Premium users, individual articles are available for purchase at around USD 1.99, or approximately ₹190 per article.
The platform currently offers more than 650 magazine stories from well-known international publications including Rolling Stone, Vogue, WIRED, GQ, The Atlantic, Variety, Billboard, Vanity Fair and Pitchfork. All content is currently available in English only.
The feature is being launched in 22 markets where Spotify Audiobooks are already available. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
However, India is not part of the initial rollout list, meaning users in the country will have to wait for access.
Spotify says the initiative reflects its broader strategy to become a comprehensive spoken-audio platform. The company aims to integrate journalism, audiobooks and podcasts into a single listening experience, making long-form content more accessible in audio form.
