Spotify Audiobooks Now Available for Family Plan Members in the US

Spotify Broadens Audiobook Availability to U.S. Subscribers

Spotify is extending access to its audiobook catalog to a wider range of subscribers within the United States. The company revealed on Tuesday the introduction of its $11.99 monthly Audiobooks+ plan in the U.S. market.

New Plan Details

This plan enables subscribers, as well as members of their household on a Family or Duo plan, to enjoy an additional 15 hours of audiobook listening each month, supplementing their existing base plan benefits.

Although Spotify initially launched its audiobook service in the U.S. in 2022, users on Duo and Family plans were previously excluded from accessing this feature.

The new offering marks the first time audiobook access is provided to household members within the U.S.

Existing Audiobook Access & Audiobooks+

Currently, Spotify Premium subscribers already receive 15 hours of audiobook listening per month, with the option to purchase additional hours as needed. However, the Audiobooks+ plan provides a recurring option to add 15 extra hours monthly, building upon the existing allotment included with a Premium subscription.

While this may represent an excess for casual listeners, the U.S. launch of Audiobooks+ also signifies that individuals beyond the primary account holder on a subscription can now access Spotify’s audiobook selection. This is facilitated through an add-on called “Audiobooks+ for Plan Members.”

Global Availability

With this launch, the U.S. joins a growing list of markets where Audiobooks+ is available, including Ireland, Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Context of the Launch

The announcement of this plan’s expansion to the U.S. follows a challenging financial quarter for the streaming service, where it failed to meet expectations and provided disappointing guidance. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek attributed this to a decline in advertising revenue.

Despite these challenges, the company experienced positive user growth, with active users increasing by 11% to 696 million and paid subscribers rising by 12% to 276 million during the second quarter. The introduction of the Audiobooks+ plan aims to generate additional revenue from its current customer base.

Addressing Previous Limitations

In December, HarperCollins hinted at a resolution to the issue preventing household members from accessing audiobooks. HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray stated that Spotify was addressing a “technical problem” within family plans that restricted audiobook streaming to the plan’s primary cardholder.

Last month, Spotify fulfilled this commitment by expanding audiobook access to plan members with the launch of Audiobooks+ in several international markets.

Audiobook Consumption Trends

Spotify does not disclose the number of Premium subscribers who listen to audiobooks alongside music or podcasts. However, the company reports that audiobook listening hours have increased by over 35% year-over-year in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. This growth occurred prior to the availability of these add-on plans.

Recent Price Adjustments

This news regarding the new subscription plan comes after Spotify’s announcement on Monday of price increases, raising subscription costs from €10,99 to €11,99 across various regions including the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific area.

Future Plans

Spotify indicates that it will continue to explore additional options for audiobook enthusiasts, including the possibility of direct book sales.