Spotify launches audiobooks in India with 3.5 lakh English titles, regional books and a Rs 199 monthly plan offering 15 hours of listening.
Spotify has expanded its services in India by launching a dedicated audiobook platform, bringing books, music and podcasts together in one app. With more than 3.5 lakh English audiobook titles and thousands of books in Indian languages, the company is preparing to take on established platforms such as Audible.
The new Spotify Audiobooks India service aims to attract readers and listeners who prefer consuming books through audio. The launch includes international bestsellers, popular Indian literature and contemporary titles across multiple genres, including fiction, romance, thrillers, philosophy and self-help.
To make the service more accessible, Spotify has also introduced a monthly subscription plan priced at Rs 199. It offers 15 hours of audiobook listening every month and is available to both free and Premium Spotify users.
Spotify Brings 3.5 Lakh English Audiobooks to India
With its latest expansion, Spotify is introducing a large audiobook collection for Indian audiences. The platform features more than 3,50,000 English audiobook titles, along with approximately 7,000 audiobooks in Indian languages.
The regional-language collection includes Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. This gives users an opportunity to explore literature in their preferred languages without depending entirely on physical books or e-books.
The catalogue features several popular Indian literary works, including Premchand’s Godaan, Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan, Rabindranath Tagore’s Kabuliwala and Dharamvir Bharati’s Gunahon Ka Devta. Readers can also find contemporary titles such as Ami Ganatra’s Mahabharata Unravelled.
The collection covers multiple categories, making it suitable for people interested in everything from classic literature to modern storytelling.
Spotify Audiobooks+ Plan: 15 Hours of Listening for Rs 199
One of the biggest highlights of the launch is the new Audiobooks+ subscription. Spotify has introduced this plan at Rs 199 per month, offering 15 hours of audiobook listening.
Unlike some subscription services that restrict access based on membership categories, Spotify is making this plan available to both Free and Premium users.
Here are the key details of the subscription:
– Monthly Price: Rs 199
– Listening Limit: 15 hours per month
– Availability: Free and Premium Spotify users
– Additional Listening: Users can purchase extra listening hours.
– Individual Purchases: Audiobooks can also be purchased separately.
The monthly listening allowance can be used across different books. Users can switch between titles depending on their interests and available time.
However, those who regularly listen to audiobooks for several hours every day may need to purchase additional listening time once their monthly allowance is exhausted.
Useful Features Make Spotify Audiobooks More Convenient
Apart from its extensive catalogue, Spotify is introducing several features designed to improve the audiobook listening experience.
One notable feature is Page Match. It allows users to scan the ISBN of a physical book and continue listening to its audiobook from the corresponding page. This can be particularly useful for people who enjoy switching between reading and listening.
Other important features include:
– Offline Listening: Users can download audiobooks and listen without an internet connection.
– Sleep Timer: Listeners can set a timer to automatically stop playback.
– Personalised Recommendations: Spotify suggests books based on individual interests.
– Audiobook Charts: Users can explore popular titles and trending categories.
– Additional Listening Hours: Subscribers can purchase extra listening time when required.
These features are designed to make audiobooks easier to access during travelling, exercising, relaxing or performing everyday activities.
Spotify for Authors Opens New Opportunities for Indian Writers
Spotify is also expanding its Spotify for Authors programme to India. This initiative aims to give independent and self-published authors another platform to distribute their audiobooks.
Through this programme, writers can make their audiobooks available to listeners, understand audience preferences through platform insights and access marketing tools such as redemption codes.
Another important aspect is that Spotify’s author partnerships are non-exclusive. This means writers can continue distributing their audiobooks through other platforms instead of being restricted to Spotify.
The initiative could create additional opportunities for Indian writers, particularly those looking to reach audiences beyond traditional publishing channels.
How to Access Spotify Audiobooks in India
Users who want to explore the new audiobook collection can access it directly through the Spotify application.
Follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Update the Spotify application to its latest version.
3. Open Spotify and look for the Audiobooks section.
4. Browse the available titles or search for a specific book.
5. Select your preferred audiobook.
6. Subscribe to Audiobooks+ for Rs 199 per month to get the 15-hour monthly listening allowance.
Users can also manage their subscriptions through Spotify’s official account and audiobook websites.
Spotify Takes on Audible in India’s Growing Audiobook Market
With this launch, Spotify is entering a more competitive position in India’s audiobook industry. Platforms such as Audible have already established an audience among people who enjoy listening to books.
Spotify’s advantage is its existing user base and the ability to bring music, podcasts and audiobooks together under one application. Its regional-language catalogue could also help attract listeners who prefer Indian literature over international titles.
The company’s global audiobook business has reportedly witnessed significant growth, with monthly audiobook listeners increasing by around 40% year-on-year and listening hours rising by more than 30%.
The launch of Spotify Audiobooks India could therefore be an important step in expanding audio-based entertainment in the country. With 3.5 lakh English titles, regional-language collections and a Rs 199 monthly plan, Spotify is giving Indian users another option to explore books through audio.
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