Spotify: It’s not just for music streaming anymore. The hugely popular streaming app announced on Wednesday that it will add video streaming to its library of content in a bid to compete with YouTube and other popular video streaming sites. In its announcement, Spotify said that it had already signed up several partners to deliver professional video content, including Comedy Central, Vice News, ABC, BBC,
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Spotify says that it has some original video content that’s in the works as well. The first piece of original content will be a short video series called Dance Move of the Day that’s produced by comedian Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls brand.
“We’re bringing you a deeper, richer, more immersive Spotify experience,” says Daniel Ek, Founder and CEO at Spotify. “We want Spotify to help soundtrack your life by offering an even wider world of entertainment with an awesome mix of the best music, podcasts and video delivered to you throughout your day. And we’re just getting started.”
Spotify is facing fierce competition in the music streaming market, as Apple has reportedly been pressuring record companies to end their license agreements that allow for Spotify to have a free, unlimited streaming tier. Apple is widely expected to launch its revamped Beats Music streaming service at this year’s WWDC.
Check out Spotify’s full press release below.
Say hello to the most entertaining Spotify ever
May 20, 2015
- Listen and watch: Spotify evolves into your 24-hour entertainment destination
Spotify is on a mission. With over 25 billion listening hours under the hood since our launch seven years ago, we’re obsessed with figuring out how to bring music into every part of your life, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, whatever your mood.
More than ever, you’re telling us what you want: the best music to fit your mood and moment mixed with great entertainment throughout your day.
We understand that how music fits into your life is as powerful as the music itself. So today we’re rolling out a richer mobile music experience built around your day, bringing you the music you love when you need it most. Introducing:
- The Now start page. From the time you wake up until tonight’s party, the Now start page serves you the right music day and night. Need a Monday morning playlist pick-me-up? Done. The right tunes to help you focus after lunch? We’ve got you covered. And because Now learns what you like, you’ll be sure to hear the right music – selected from our in-house experts and your personal collection – whatever the occasion. Recommendations will adapt over time to fit your taste and mood.
- Spotify Running. Every week millions of you lace up and hit the road to Spotify. Music is the perfect running companion but sometimes you need even more motivation to push on. That’s why Spotify Running is all about helping you go the extra mile.We’ve combined the best music on the planet – recommendations based on your listening history, multiple-genre playlists and original running compositions written by some of the world’s foremost DJs and composers – all tuned to your tempo and seamlessly transitioned to ensure you’ll never miss a beat. Start running and Spotify will detect your tempo, matching the perfect music in time to your step – making you a harder, better, faster, stronger runner.
- And that’s not all: this Summer we’re teaming up with Nike to bring new music experiences to their audiences around the globe. And later this year, you’ll be able to access the new Spotify Running experience through the Nike+ app. We’re also integrating the RunKeeper app with Spotify Running later this year.
On top of our improved music experience, we’re also introducing an expanded world of entertainment built around you:
- More Than Music. For the first time, Spotify is adding video clips and audio shows to the music mix. We know there are times in the day you want to switch between music to catch up on the latest news, listen to your favourite podcast or simply watch something fun. And with a stellar range of entertainment to choose from there’s something for everyone. Spotify will suggest video and audio shows for you to watch and learn what you love.
- Spotify Originals. We’re also serving up an exciting slate of original content to entertain your day. Check out our Running Originals – music specifically designed for running that dynamically adapts to your running tempo. A total of six original tracks, all found within Spotify Running, are available at launch. We’re also introducing a range of exclusive content, from Dance Move of the Day produced by Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls brand, to specially curated radio shows presented by artists including Icona Pop, Jungle and Tyler the Creator.
- Spotify now comes packed with entertainment, news and clips from the likes of ABC, BBC, Comedy Central, Condé Nast Entertainment,
ESPN , Fusion, Maker Studios, NBC, TED and Vice Media, with much more to come (see Notes to Editors for full entertainment roster).“We’re bringing you a deeper, richer, more immersive Spotify experience,” says Daniel Ek, Founder and CEO at Spotify. “We want Spotify to help soundtrack your life by offering an even wider world of entertainment with an awesome mix of the best music, podcasts and video delivered to you throughout your day. And we’re just getting started.”
The new Now experience will begin rolling out today to iPhone users in the US, UK, Germany and Sweden – with more markets and platforms to follow in the near future. Spotify Running will start rolling out to iPhone users globally
That’s entertainment.
