The music streaming platform said the feature is now available in more than 75 markets, including Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea and Switzerland.

Spotify launched the AI DJ feature in 2023. At first, it mainly offered spoken commentary between tracks while recommending music based on a user’s listening habits. Since then, the company has steadily added more interactive features.

Last year, Spotify updated the tool so users could speak with the DJ directly and ask for changes in mood, genre or style during a listening session. Users can now also request specific tracks through voice or text prompts.

The company said each new language version comes with its own DJ personality and voice.

For French listeners, the DJ is called Maïa. Spotify described the character as “Effortlessly cool and treats every listener like a friend who already has great taste.”

The German-language DJ, Ben, is described as “The kind of voice that makes listening feel intentional: warm and present, without trying too hard.”

Spotify said Alex, the Italian DJ, is “Warm and grounded: the voice that bridges the gap between knowing music and truly feeling it.”

For Brazilian Portuguese users, Dani is “Always one song ahead of the moment: eclectic and genuinely excited to share what’s next.”

The company said the feature continually builds on Spotify’s goal towards more customised recommendations inside the app.

“Since launching in 2023, DJ (beta) has helped shape a more personalised listening experience for 94 million Spotify Premium users,” Spotify said.

The DJ tool combines music suggestions with spoken commentary and draws from a user’s listening history to recommend familiar tracks, older favourites and new releases.

Spotify has also been adding other AI-based tools across the platform. These include playlist generation features that allow users to create music or podcast playlists by describing what they want to hear.

Users can access DJ from Spotify’s home page or by searching for “DJ” inside the app. Language settings can be changed through the menu within the DJ card.

The feature, which brings higher sound quality in FLAC format, is rolling out gradually across more than 50 countries, including the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and Australia.

Subscribers will not need to pay extra for the upgrade. Instead, the feature is being added directly to existing Premium plans, avoiding the creation of a separate “HiFi” or “Music Pro” tier that many had anticipated. Users will receive an in-app notification once the update is live for their account.

To enable the feature, listeners must navigate to Settings & Privacy → Media Quality, where “Lossless” can be selected for streaming on Wi-Fi, mobile data, and downloads. Spotify has also included a visual indicator that confirms when tracks are playing in lossless format. However, enabling the option has to be done separately on each device.

The rollout comes with some technical limitations. Spotify’s lossless quality peaks at 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC, which falls short of the higher-resolution options offered by rivals like Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz. Those services support up to 24-bit/192 kHz, a difference that only a fraction of audiophiles with high-end sound systems might notice.

Still, Spotify insists the new feature improves clarity and depth across almost its entire 100-million-song catalogue. Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify’s vice president of Subscriptions, described it as a milestone for users:

“The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers. We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood. With Lossless, our premium users will now have an even better listening experience.”

The company is also working with hardware makers to ensure larger compatibility. At launch, devices from Sony, Bose, Samsung, and Sennheiser are supported, with Sonos and Amazon integration expected in the coming weeks.

One caveat is that Bluetooth connections do not have the bandwidth to deliver full lossless audio, meaning wired headphones or Wi-Fi-enabled speakers via Spotify Connect are recommended for the best experience.

Spotify has arrived late to this space. Apple Music introduced lossless audio in 2021 at no additional cost, while Amazon Music HD dropped its premium charge in 2019. YouTube Music now remains the only major streaming service without a lossless option.

After years of delays, Spotify’s move is an important step, even if it doesn’t immediately match the technical depth of its competitors. For subscribers, it finally means access to the sound quality many have been asking for since 2017.

The feature, now available to most Premium users worldwide, gives subscribers the choice to automatically insert transitions between tracks or fine-tune them using preset options such as fade, rise, or blend. 

Beyond presets, users can dig deeper by adjusting volume levels, EQ, and effects, while the app’s waveform and beat data help locate the ideal entry points between songs.

For those less experienced, Spotify is making the process simpler by displaying the key and beats per minute of each track. This is designed to remove the guesswork for beginners and help their playlists sound more natural.

To activate the function, users only need to open a playlist and tap “Mix” on the toolbar. From there, they can either let the app generate transitions automatically or manually customise them. Once satisfied, the playlist can be saved, shared with friends, or even co-edited with other Premium subscribers.

Spotify suggests that the new transitions work best with electronic genres such as house and techno, where songs are naturally suited for blending. However, any playlist, whether curated for workouts, parties, or long drives, can be enhanced with the feature. And if listeners prefer the traditional format, they can switch off the “Mix” option at any time.

With nearly 9 billion playlists already created on the platform, Spotify says the update is meant to give users more control over their music experience. It also places the company in closer competition with Apple Music, which is preparing its own AutoMix feature.

The custom transitions option is part of Spotify’s goal to strengthen personalisation tools on its platform. Over the past year, the streaming service has introduced updates that let users sort, edit, and fine-tune playlists, as well as experiment with features such as personalised genres in Discover Weekly and the voice-enabled DJ.

The company confirmed that while most Premium users will get access immediately, some markets in Asia-Pacific may have to wait a little longer as the feature rolls out gradually.

The update, which comes ten years after the launch of Discover Weekly, introduces interactive genre filters, starting with Spotify Premium users.

The streaming platform, which has often leaned heavily on algorithmic curation, is now handing some of that control back to listeners. Users will now see up to five genre options displayed at the top of the playlist interface, based on their listening history. 

Whether you’re stuck on 90s R&B or recently wandered into the world of funk or Afrobeats, these filters let you guide the playlist’s direction with a tap.

“Whether you’re in the mood for something familiar or want to switch things up, your playlist will instantly adapt to match your mood,” Spotify said. “Helping you discover new favourites and deep cuts from artists you already love.”

Discover Weekly, which updates every Monday, has remained one of the platform’s most successful features, generating over 100 billion streams to date. 

According to Spotify, 77% of the music streamed from these playlists comes from emerging artists. But user feedback in recent years has flagged issues, from repetitive recommendations to poor genre tagging.

Responding to this, Spotify told Business Insider in May that it had updated the playlist’s genre accuracy and recommendation logic. This latest tweak builds on those changes, giving users the ability to guide the algorithm rather than passively receiving suggestions.

Spotify has already begun rolling out the genre filters on mobile devices, starting with Premium subscribers. Users can find the new feature by heading to the “Made for You” hub and opening their Discover Weekly playlist, assuming they’re running the most recent version of the app.

In addition to the genre controls, Discover Weekly is also getting a visual refresh. The playlist will now feature a redesigned cover, aligning it with Spotify’s visual overhaul across its personalised features.

This update follows a string of personalisation experiments by Spotify in recent years. The company has introduced features like the “DJ” mode, playlist-building tools using text prompts, and a customisable queue system that reveals upcoming algorithmic picks. 

It also rolled out a “snooze” option, allowing users to temporarily silence tracks they’ve grown tired of without permanently removing them from future rotations.

But the core change here is control. For a long time, users could only like or skip tracks and hope the algorithm adjusted. Now, they can intervene more directly. 

The new pricing will take effect for new subscribers starting June 3, 2024, while existing subscribers will see the change reflected in their July billing cycle.

The Individual plan will increase from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, Duo plan jumps from $14.99 to $16.99 per month, and the Family plan rises from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. The Student plan will remain at $5.99 per month.

Spotify justifies the price increase as a necessary measure to fund continuous investment and innovation in its product features, ensuring an enhanced user experience.

This announcement comes after a similar price hike in July 2023, which affected various regions globally. In the US, the individual ad-free premium plan increased from $9.99 to $10.99 per month, with corresponding adjustments for Duo, Family, and Student plans.

Spotify confirmed that existing subscribers will receive email notifications regarding the upcoming price change within the next month. New subscribers signing up after June 3, 2024, will be subject to the new pricing immediately. Existing users on a free trial will be charged the new $11.99 monthly fee after their trial period ends.

This price hike follows a trend across streaming services. The need to secure licensing rights for music and podcasts, coupled with investments in expanding content libraries and improving user experience, likely influences these adjustments.

Spotify offers a variety of subscription plans targeted at different user preferences. The Premium Individual plan provides ad-free music listening, on-demand playback, and the ability to download music for offline listening. Students can enjoy a discounted Premium Student plan with the same benefits. 

For couples living together, the Premium Duo plan offers ad-free music listening, on-demand playback, and offline music downloads for both users. Finally, the Premium Family plan allows up to six users residing in the same household to enjoy the same benefits as Premium Individual.

Those who are not ready to commit to a paid subscription can still utilize Spotify’s free tier, which offers ad-supported music listening with limited controls over song selection.

Spotify is known for delivering commendable audio experience to its users and creating opportunities for fans and creators to connect.

With a staggering 200+ million Premium subscribers globally, Spotify has solidified its position as the most popular audio streaming subscription service, offering premium users exclusive benefits like on-demand and ad-free music listening, offline music downloads, and high-quality music streaming.

However, as the market landscape continues to evolve and competition in the audio streaming industry remains fierce, Spotify recognizes the importance of continuous innovation to stay ahead. The company aims to provide even more value to its loyal fans and support artists on their platform.

To achieve this goal, Spotify is adjusting its Premium subscription prices in select markets around the world. These changes are expected to support ongoing innovation efforts and allow Spotify to bring new features and services to its users.

The updated Premium prices for the United States are as follows:

• Premium Single: $10.99
• Premium Duo: $14.99
• Premium Family: $16.99
• Premium Student: $5.99

While existing subscribers in the affected markets will receive an email explaining the implications of these changes on their accounts, Spotify assures its users that the platform will continue to provide an unparalleled audio experience with a vast library of music, podcasts, audiobooks, and innovative features.

Spotify has been at the forefront of introducing novel tools like the new AI DJ and experiences like Blend, which have garnered praise from fans and creators alike. Additionally, the platform’s dedication to the podcasting space has contributed to its ever-growing popularity among diverse audiences.

By adapting its Premium pricing strategy, Spotify aims to sustain its position as a leading audio streaming service and ensure it remains at the cutting edge of the industry. The adjustments are part of Spotify’s commitment to serving the needs of its community and fostering a dynamic ecosystem for artists, creators, and music enthusiasts.

As subscribers around the world receive the news about the changes, it remains to be seen how users will respond to the price adjustments. Nevertheless, Spotify’s unwavering dedication to innovation and enhancing the user experience is expected to maintain its strong footing in the competitive audio streaming market.

Q4 Highlights:

• MAUs, Revenue, Operating Income and Gross Margin performed better than expected.
• Subscriber growth was inline, ARPU growth increased Y/Y, and our advertising business reached a record 15% of Total Revenue in Q4.

Spotify Q4 by the Numbers:

Spotify Premium Subscribers grew 16% Y/Y to 180 million in the quarter, led by strong promotional campaign performance.

MAUs grew 18% Y/Y to 406 million in the quarter and near the top end of our guidance range. We saw double digit Y/Y growth in all regions with particular strength in the Rest of World, which was led by strong results in India and Indonesia.

Wrapped: Collectively, 120 million MAUs engaged with Wrapped content in Q4 (vs. 93 million last year, an increase of 29% Y/Y). 

Spotify ‘s Revenue grew 24% Y/Y in Q4 (or 20% Y/Y on a constant currency basis) to €2,689 million and was above the top end of our guidance range due to significant strength in advertising and favorable FX movements.

Gross Margin finished at 26.5% in Q4, above the top end of our guidance range and flat versus the prior year period.

ARPU of €4.40 in Q4 was up 3% Y/Y (or up 1% Y/Y constant currency). Excluding the impact of FX, we saw a benefit to ARPU primarily from our price increases. 

Podcast MAU ended the year with a double digit increase relative to Q3. Among MAUs that engaged with podcasts in Q4, consumption trends remained strong (up 20% Y/Y on a per user basis) and podcast share of overall consumption hours on our platform reached another all-time high.

Read Details HERE.

Under the partnership, Airtel +54 million customers who purchase weekly and monthly data bundles will get bonus data to enjoy Spotify with its over 70 million songs, including local favourites and Premium content without worrying about additional data costs.

Spotify launched in the country early last year opening up its platform with 381M Monthly active users and 172 million premium subscribers worldwide.

The Nigerian audience will enjoy the content loved by millions of teeming consumers.

Airtel says the partnership with Spotify will empower Nigerians to connect with their favourite artists and the music that inspire and motivate them whether they are in traffic, working out, partying, sharing moments with loved ones or just relaxing.

The partnership will offer Airtel customers complimentary data that can be used exclusively on the Spotify platform whenever they purchase data bundles.

Commenting on the partnership, Godfrey Efeurhobo, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the company’s partnership with Spotify is yet another demonstration of its commitment to creating opportunities that will entertain, excite, delight and reward customers on its network.

“Airtel is positioned as the network of first choice for music, youth culture and innovation and we are delighted to partner with Spotify to deliver sheer happiness at the fingertips of our esteemed customers across the country. We believe this partnership will not only empower and reward our customers but will also enable them to enjoy themselves thoroughly as they connect to the artists and songs they cherish,” said Efeurhobo.

Fergal Walker, director Freemium Partnerships at Spotify says: “We’re excited to announce our first partnership in Africa. Airtel, one of Nigeria’s leading mobile network, was a natural choice and shared our vision to enable Nigerians to access great audio and music wherever they are for free.”