Spotify Now Offers Music Videos in the US & Canada | Spotify News

Spotify Expands Music Video Access to New Markets

Spotify is now rolling out music videos to users in the U.S., Canada, and several other regions. This follows an initial beta launch in select international markets last year.

Premium Subscriber Exclusive

These videos are being supplied through new agreements established with various music labels. Access to this feature is currently restricted to subscribers of Spotify’s Premium plan. Streaming is available across iOS, Android, desktop, and TV applications.

When listening to a track, users will encounter a new “Switch to video” option within the Spotify interface. Upon selection, the corresponding music video will commence playback, synchronized with the song’s current position.

Seamless Audio-Video Transition

Unlike the earlier beta version, the video playback now begins precisely where the song is currently playing. Users retain the ability to revert to audio-only mode at any time by selecting “Switch to audio”.

The videos support full-screen viewing when devices are held in landscape orientation, enhancing the viewing experience.

Video Integration and Playlists

Following a switch to video, the music video will replace the standard, looping visual that typically accompanies songs, unless this feature is disabled within the user’s settings.

Before the month concludes, Spotify intends to introduce dedicated video playlists for users in the U.S. and Canada. Examples include “90s Video Hits,” “Hip-Hop Throwbacks,” “Latin Party Hits,” “Country Hits,” and “Pop Music Video Hits.”

Personalized video recommendations will also be displayed on the app’s home screen, further tailoring the user experience.

Competitive Landscape

The introduction of music videos to the U.S. market is a strategic move by Spotify to enhance its competitive position against YouTube. YouTube currently provides its own music streaming service and is actively expanding its presence in the podcasting realm.

Spotify is addressing the growing podcast threat by incorporating video podcast support, alongside social features like comments, Q&A sessions, and polls. These additions aim to transform the app into a more socially engaging platform.

Licensing Agreements and Revenue

Reports regarding Spotify’s music video feature arriving in the U.S. surfaced last month, following a deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) in November. This expanded partnership introduced an opt-in portal.

This portal enables NMPA members to establish direct licensing agreements for audio-visual (AV) rights within the U.S. Spotify stated this initiative would “increase revenue for songwriters and independent publishers.”

Throughout 2025, Spotify also secured agreements encompassing AV rights with Universal, Sony, and Warner Music Group.

Reporting and Royalties

The company has not disclosed the total number of videos available at launch, the participating labels, or the specifics of the licensing agreements. However, a spokesperson confirmed that, mirroring audio streams, music video streams lasting at least 30 seconds will be reported and generate royalties, in accordance with existing agreements.

Global Expansion

In addition to the U.S. and Canada, Spotify is extending music video access to Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Uganda, and Venezuela.

A comprehensive list of beta markets can be found on Spotify’s support website. Notably, in Brazil and Colombia, music videos are also available to users on the free tier.