Spotify Launches Music Video Feature in Select Markets

Spotify Introduces Music Videos in Select Markets

Spotify, the leading music streaming platform, has announced the integration of music videos into its mobile and desktop applications for 11 select markets. This new feature allows premium subscribers to effortlessly switch between audio and video content directly from the “Now Playing” screen.

Limited Rollout in Beta

The initial beta rollout is limited to the following countries:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Germany
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Kenya
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Philippines
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Sten Garmark, Spotify’s VP Global Head of Consumer Experience, explained that these markets were chosen based on factors such as market size and local content support availability. The company aims to expand the music video catalog and increase availability to more countries in the future.

Seamless Integration and User Experience

Spotify’s music video feature is designed to provide a seamless user experience. When listening to a song with an available music video, users can tap the “Switch to Video” button on the “Now Playing” screen to watch the video. The music video replaces the album artwork and starts playing from the beginning, even if the user was in the middle of the track.

Users can enjoy the video in full screen by rotating their phone to landscape mode. To return to background listening, simply tap the “Switch to Audio” button. If the music video is watched until the end, Spotify will automatically play the next song in the queue in audio format.

In-House Hosting and Ad-Free Delivery

Spotify is hosting the music videos directly on its platform and delivering them to users without any advertisements. The company has secured distribution rights to add more videos in the future, starting with a limited subset of the full catalog that includes thousands of music videos across various genres and artists.

Availability on Multiple Platforms

In addition to mobile and desktop, the music video feature is also available on Spotify’s TV apps, including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV devices, gaming consoles, and several smart TV models. This expansion allows users to enjoy music videos on a larger screen, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Timing and Industry Implications

The introduction of music videos on Spotify comes at an interesting time, as Universal Music Group recently pulled out its songs from TikTok due to a dispute over royalties. By adding more video content to its app, Spotify is positioning itself as a comprehensive music platform, offering features beyond its existing Clips and Canvas.

While competitors like YouTube Music and Apple Music already offer music videos, Spotify’s seamless integration and easy switching between audio and video set it apart. As the company continues to expand its music video catalog and availability, it has the potential to attract more users and solidify its position in the streaming market.

Image Credits: Spotify