UNLOCK AND LISTEN

Here Are the First Publishers and Platforms Getting Connected With Spotify’s Open Access Feature

July 27, 2021

Update as of March 17, 2022

Since we began activating partners via Spotify Open Access in 2021, we’re now partnering with around 100 publishers and platforms to make their subscription content available on Spotify. 

Of the many shows and content providers offering subscriber-only content now available through Spotify Open Access, some of the most exciting and popular include:

These shows and content providers encompass a wide cross section from around the globe. Many are powered by subscription platforms that have integrated via Spotify Open Access, and we’re excited to share that Supporting Cast, Supercast, Memberful, Hello Audio, Audiomeans, and Vriend van de Show can now offer distribution of gated content on Spotify for their creator communities.

We are continuing to activate more partners via Spotify Open Access with the goal of giving creators ultimate flexibility and control over their businesses. For interested providers, you can now find technical specifications on our developer site.

 

Back in April, Spotify announced the expansion of our podcast monetization offering, with new models including paid podcast subscriptions and Spotify Open Access. Since then, we’ve been hard at work testing these models and working with some of the world’s best content providers to build a system that works across business models and content genres. Today, we’re sharing the list of our inaugural Spotify Open Access partners, third-party services with paid content that their customers and subscribers will be able to unlock and hear right on Spotify. 

Spotify Open Access is a first-of-its-kind offering in the audio industry, broadening distribution for creators who offer paid content. The system enables creators with existing paid content businesses to activate their customers on Spotify, and it allows Spotify users to unlock and listen to content they paid for via third-party services: for example, publications with paywalled content or licensed audiobook providers. 

This means that participating creators can retain full control over their subscriber or customer bases while also leveraging Spotify to grow their audiences. With Spotify’s global impact and wide availability across devices and platforms, they’ll be able to reach audiences no matter where they are or how they’re listening. 

Today, we’re excited to unveil the first group of partners leveraging Spotify Open Access, which spans a diverse cross-section of providers, including podcasts, audiobooks, news organizations, and creator platforms. Check them out:

  • Acast
  • Der Spiegel
  • Glow.fm powered by Libsyn
  • Malcolm Gladwell’s audiobook The Bomber Mafia (Pushkin Industries)
  • Mamamia
  • Mediapart
  • Memberful
  • Slate
  • Storytel
  • Supporting Cast
  • Supercast
  • The Motley Fool
  • Vox Media

Over the coming months, paid content from these partners will be gradually made available to listeners, who will be able to connect their existing subscriptions to Spotify to unlock the content. Keep an eye out for updates from your favorite creators to see when their content will be available. 

And if you’re a creator using one of the listed membership platforms, you can reach out to your provider for more information about how you can unlock this feature for your show.

Ultimately, our intention for Spotify Open Access is to be a platform that any creator or provider can apply to plug into easily. We’re currently testing the technology with select partners (with more to be announced later this fall) and plan to release wide availability down the road. 

These first key partners will bring a whole new catalog of beloved content to Spotify for paying listeners—and it’s just the beginning. Stay tuned.