Spotify is shaking up the audio world once again — and this time, it’s not about music. The streaming giant announced this week that Premium subscribers in several countries, including the UK, US, and Australia, now have free access to a library of over 150,000 audiobooks.

The move positions Spotify as a serious player in the audiobook market, challenging established names like Audible and Apple Books. It’s part of the company’s broader shift to evolve beyond being just a music platform and become the “one-stop shop” for all things audio.

What’s new?

• Premium users will now get 15 hours of audiobook listening each month included in their subscription.

• Users who hit their limit can buy additional hours — a move Spotify says keeps the system “flexible and affordable.”

• The catalogue includes bestsellers, new releases, and classics across a variety of genres.

Why now?

Spotify has been pushing into non-music content hard over the last few years, snapping up podcast studios and experimenting with new media formats. Audiobooks, a market valued at over $5 billion globally, offer a huge growth opportunity.

“People are already coming to Spotify for their daily audio needs — adding audiobooks is the natural next step,” said Nir Zicherman, Spotify’s VP of Audiobooks and Gated Content.

Industry impact:

The move could seriously disrupt the audiobook industry. Traditional players like Audible, owned by Amazon, operate on a credit-based system — users pay for a certain number of books per month.

Spotify’s hours-based model could make audiobook listening more casual, encouraging users to dip into books without feeling tied to purchasing an entire title.

Criticism and concerns:

Not everyone’s thrilled. Some authors and publishers have raised concerns about royalty rates and profit sharing, echoing ongoing criticisms of how streaming services have historically handled artist compensation in the music world.

Looking ahead:

Spotify plans to expand its audiobook offerings even further and hinted that more innovative features, like personalised audiobook recommendations and exclusive author content, could be on the horizon.

Bottom line:

Spotify isn’t just where you go to find your summer playlist anymore — it’s trying to become your bookshelf, too.