Tag: Enable the World

Spotify’s Journey to 200 Million Subscribers

February 1, 2023

200 M header on black background

This week, as part of Spotify’s quarterly earnings announcement, we shared that we have officially surpassed 200 million subscribers. These fans are the heart of Spotify, and look to us to discover new music and podcasts, stay attuned to culture, and connect with their favorite creators. 

Also thanks to our subscribers, we’re able to: 

  • Innovate: We invest back into the product, rewarding subscriber loyalty with the very best user experience through features like Blend, Discover Weekly and Wrapped.
  • Expand: We’ve grown with our users, offering life stage and market-tailored plans like Family, Student and Spotify Mini. 
  • Scale: We’re now live in over 180 markets, creating a truly global community united by audio.
  • Support: We’ve paid music rights holders, including record labels, publishers, distributors (and more) $30 billion since our founding.* We’re also using our platform and marketing to amplify and support artists, with programs like Frequency, Radar, EQUAL, and the recently launched GLOW.  (*As of December 2021)

Take a look back at a few of the milestones in a journey that began at our 2008 launch. 

What Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, and More of Our Newest Markets Are Streaming—365 Days In

February 24, 2022

Last year at Stream On, Spotify announced that we’d be launching in 80+ new markets around the world and adding 36 new languages to our platform—a sweeping expansion that would introduce Spotify to more than 1 billion people around the world. With this launch, we furthered our ongoing commitment to building a truly borderless audio ecosystem that connects creators, listeners, and content—and helped ensure that sounds and stories that once remained local could reach a global audience.  

By reaching even more countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, we gave millions of new creators the opportunity to create, discover, and build a career in audio creation—and gave a billion new fans the opportunity to hear it. 

Now, a year in, there’s plenty of progress to look back on. See for yourself: 

Can’t get enough of new music? Listen to Asakaa, the Ghanian drill genre making waves around the world.

Spotify Expands to Six More Countries Around the World

November 17, 2021

In February, we announced a sweeping global expansion to introduce Spotify to more than a billion people around the world. So over the subsequent months, we launched in more than 80 new markets and added 36 languages to our platform. Today, we’re furthering that commitment by launching in six more markets: Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

By making both our Free and Premium services available in Iraq, Libya, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Spotify users in those markets will now be able to listen to the global and local artists they have come to love—and explore new ones. What’s more, local artists will receive an opportunity to reach new audiences both at home and abroad.

Spotify is committed to being available to users and creators regardless of where they live. By adding these six markets to our global ecosystem, we’re better able to introduce the music and sounds of more people, places, and cultures to listeners around the world.  

Venezuela in particular has a unique sound that’s as diverse as the country’s landscape. Venezuelan music is a melting pot of sounds and rhythms that are derived from the many different people who immigrated into the country throughout the 20th century and paved the path for a diverse and rich musical identity. 

Venezuela has exported many recognizable names, like Ricardo Montaner, who has been representing and leading the culture globally for many decades; duo Chino & Nacho, who helped open the door to a new generation of artists internationally; and Danny Ocean, whose hit “Me Rehúso” has more than a billion streams on Spotify.

Already, Venezuelan artists Tayko and Irepelusa have been featured in our RADAR Andinos program—and with Spotify’s launch in their home country, their opportunities to grow their fan bases expand even further.

For the sounds of Venezuela, check out: 

  • Made In Venezuela – Contemporary and catalog content from Venezuelan artists for the world
  • Flow Venezuela – Urban releases from frontline Venezuelan artists
  • Llano Adentro – Music from the Venezuelan and Colombian plains

Iraq, too, has a unique sound to share with the world. Iraqi music, also known as the Music of Mesopotamia, has historic roots in ancient traditions. However, it has also continued to evolve through the eras—from the creation of the oldest guitar in the world and the invention of the lute, to the addition of a fifth string to the rhythms and the various Iraqi maqams. Iraqi music includes contemporary music styles such as pop, rock, soul, and urban contemporary, and has proven to be an important part of the country’s culture.

Iraq has exported many recognizable names, including Kadim Al Sahir, who has been dubbed the Caesar of Arabic songs and Iraq’s ambassador to the world for many decades; Majid Al Mohandis, who was awarded the title of “the Engineer of the Arabic song” because of his success in the Arab world; and Saif Nabeel and Aseel Hameem, who brought a new generation onto the stage.

Get to know the hits of Iraq in أفضل الأغاني العراقية, find new Iraqi songs on عراقي جديد, or fall in love with Iraqi Romance songs. And start streaming some of the other musicians from the region, including Saif Amer, Rahma Riad, and Mahmoud Al Turky. 

We’re so excited for even more artists and fans to now be able to connect—no matter where they’re listening from.

Spotify Is Now Available for More Users and Creators Across the Caribbean

September 29, 2021

Earlier this year, Spotify became available in more than 80 markets around the world, with several in the Caribbean. Today, we’re excited to share that Spotify is now available to even more users and creators in the Caribbean, including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Aruba, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, Saba, and Saint Maarten.

By expanding listening around the world, Spotify can connect more fans with their favorite artists and help them discover new ones, locally and globally. Launching in additional markets also gives local creators the opportunity to reach new audiences and access tools that enable them to gain more audience insights and propel their careers. 

Since February, Spotify has seen twice as many active creators coming from the Caribbean who are using the Spotify for Artists tools. This is a testament to the enthusiasm creators have in these markets and the desire for more resources and insights. We are excited to further enable this service in the region.

To accompany the launch, we are launching Zouk Station, a playlist featuring and honoring some of the greatest talents within the genre coming out of the Caribbean region. Get to know them by streaming the playlist below.

Quiz: This Week on ‘For the Record’

July 16, 2021

Think you're up-to-date on the latest in Spotify news, data, and trends? Take our quiz to test just how well you’ve been following along.

1. Billie Eilish released her second album, Happier Than Ever, today. What did Spotify do to celebrate the happy occasion?
2. Spotify’s What’s New feed alerts you to the latest...
3. EQUAL artist Lido Pimienta told us about where she gets inspiration, her vision for the future of music, and more. What is one part of her creative process?
4. Which of the following songwriters helped to pen “Firework” as performed by Katy Perry?
5. This week, Spotify released our Q2 2021 earnings report. What were some of the highlights discussed on the Spotify: For the Record podcast?
6. Spotify’s Open Access offering means that in the future, listeners will be able to connect their existing subscriptions—from publications with paywalled content or licensed audiobook providers—to Spotify to unlock all the content in one place.
7. RADAR artist Nathy Peluso, who has made a name for herself blending genres and pushing the limits of her music, released her latest single on July 7. What’s the title of her newest song?
8. German social media stars Julien Bam and Rezo are about to launch their new podcast, Hobbylos. When did the two start making videos together?

Spotify Expands International Footprint, Bringing Audio to 80+ New Markets

February 22, 2021

As part of our ongoing commitment to building a truly borderless audio ecosystem— connecting creators, listeners, and content—Spotify is embarking on a sweeping expansion that will introduce the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service available to more than a billion people in 80+ new markets around the world, and add 36 languages to our platform. These moves represent Spotify’s broadest market expansion to date. 

As we shared during today’s Stream On event, this expansion will help ensure that sounds and stories that once remained local can reach a global audience.

Our dedication to international artists and listeners is unwavering. Working closely with local creators and partners, we’ll deliver a Spotify experience that meets the unique needs of each market, with scaled language translations and specialized payment formats. These 80+ markets represent more than 1 billion people—potential Spotify listeners who have yet to tap into the power of our platform.

The existing rich music cultures in each of these markets will now be able to reach Spotify’s global audience. All this untapped music energy and access to our innovative creator tools will help propel artists to new heights and empower them to turn their passion into a profession.

Plus, giving our artists a global platform goes hand in hand with offering an unmatched catalog for our listeners. So as we enter new markets, we’ll accelerate the discovery of more genres like K-Pop, reggaeton, and amapiano that have earned a place in the global music arena. 

By reaching even more countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, we’re giving millions of new creators the opportunity to create, discover, and build a career in audio creation—and giving a billion new fans the opportunity to hear it. Learn more about where we’re heading first in the infographic below.

In each new market, we will work with local creators and partners to expand our music offerings and deliver a Spotify experience that meets the unique needs of each market. Over time, the company aims to introduce the following offerings in each region:

  • Plans: Free and Premium plans will be available across all the markets. In select markets, Spotify will offer Individual, Family, Duo, and Student Plan options.*
  • User Experience: Listeners will be able to select and search from Spotify’s worldwide catalog when using the product, providing a personalized experience from day one. The home screen will surface personalized playlist programming for new listeners. The browse and search pages will feature worldwide content hubs, and adapt to the local market and the listener’s taste the more they use the service.
  • Music Catalog: At launch, Spotify will offer its full global catalog in these new markets. The company will continuously work with local rights holders and partners to expand its catalog to include more local offerings.
  • Podcasts: In the majority of these markets, Spotify will launch with its full podcast catalog.* For the others, it will work closely with local partners to introduce more podcasts from its catalog, as well as Spotify’s proprietary creator platform, Anchor.
  • Platforms: Upon launch, the Spotify experience will be available on Mobile and Desktop Web Player.* Similar to other features, the company will work with partners to introduce Spotify on more platforms, including TV, Speakers, Wearables, and Car in the coming months.

New Markets 

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

*Some exceptions may apply. See local guidelines for offerings in your region.