Spotify has announced that audiobooks will be expanding to more than 180 markets, including the Philippines, by the end of 2026.
According to Spotify, the global rollout will bring streaming and purchasing access to over 750 million people, offering a catalog of more than 350,000 titles across 120 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, and more.
“Books change how we see the world, and the people in it. For a lot of people, audiobooks are how they find their way back to reading, on the commute, on a walk, or at the end of a long day. Bringing audiobooks to more than 180 markets means millions more people can discover that, and authors and publishers can reach readers they’ve never been able to reach before,” said Owen Smith, VP of Audiobooks at Spotify.
Spotify confirmed that all author partnerships for its audiobook catalog will remain non-exclusive. In newly added markets, access will be provided through three tiers: audiobooks included in the premium plan, audiobooks+, and direct title purchases. Under the audiobooks in premium, eligible subscribers will receive 12 hours of monthly listening time included in their plans. Meanwhile, users can add audiobooks+ to their plan for extra hours each month.
Alongside the expansion, the company also added new features to provide listeners with additional ways to enjoy Spotify audiobooks.
One notable feature is Page Match, which was first unveiled last February. It allows users to sync their current page in a physical book or an e-book to an audiobook on Spotify, allowing seamless transition from one format to another.
Three years after introducing audiobooks to Premium, Spotify reported strong engagement metrics driving its global expansion. According to the company, monthly audiobook listeners grew nearly 40 percent over the past year, with total listening hours climbing by more than 30 percent.
Spotify also emphasized that pricing structures and access models will vary depending on the region. The 180-market global rollout includes the Philippines alongside other Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.