Spotify Invests $1M+ to Expand Non-English Audiobooks, Targeting French & Dutch First
Spotify is investing €1M ($1.1M) to grow its non-English audiobook catalog, starting with French and Dutch—boosting global audiobook accessibility.
Spotify’s Big Move: $1.1M Investment to Boost Non-English Audiobooks
Spotify is doubling down on audiobooks—but this time, it’s looking beyond English. On Friday, the streaming giant announced a €1 million (~$1.1M) investment to expand its non-English audiobook catalog, starting with French and Dutch titles.
This strategic move signals Spotify’s ambition to compete with Audible while addressing a major gap in its audiobook library: limited non-English content.
Why Non-English Audiobooks Matter
While English dominates the audiobook market, demand for localized content is surging:
- Non-English markets are growing faster than English-speaking ones in audiobook consumption.
- Only ~20% of Spotify’s audiobooks are in languages other than English (as of 2023).
- Audible already offers a wider selection of French, German, and Spanish titles—Spotify needs to catch up.
Did You Know? The global audiobook market is projected to hit $35 billion by 2030, with non-English segments driving much of that growth.
Spotify’s Audiobook Strategy: What’s Changing?
- €1M Investment in Local Production
- Funds will go toward licensing and producing French and Dutch audiobooks first.
- Expect more classics, bestsellers, and indie titles in these languages.
- A Play for International Subscribers
- Spotify has 602M+ users worldwide, many in non-English markets.
- Expanding audiobooks could boost Premium subscriptions in Europe and beyond.
- Taking On Audible & Apple Books
- Audible dominates with 200K+ German titles alone—Spotify’s catalog is still tiny in comparison.
- By prioritizing local-language content, Spotify can differentiate itself.
Which Languages Are Next?
While French and Dutch are the first focus, industry insiders speculate Spotify may expand to:
✔ Spanish (huge demand in LATAM & Spain)
✔ German (one of Europe’s biggest audiobook markets)
✔ Portuguese (growing Brazilian listener base)
Challenges Ahead
- Licensing Hurdles: Securing rights for non-English books can be complex.
- Narration Quality: Local accents and dialects matter—Spotify must ensure high-quality voiceovers.
- Pricing: Will non-English audiobooks follow Spotify’s current credit system?
What This Means for Listeners & Publishers
🔹 For listeners: More diverse audiobook options in native languages.
🔹 For authors & publishers: New revenue streams via Spotify’s massive platform.
🔹 For competitors: Audible and Apple Books may need to ramp up exclusives.
Final Thoughts
Spotify’s $1.1M investment is just the beginning. As it expands into French, Dutch, and beyond, the audiobook wars are heating up—and non-English audiences stand to benefit the most.
Will this move help Spotify overtake Audible? Or is it too little, too late? Share your thoughts below!
