Spotify Plans on Adding Visual Elements With 'Spotlight'

CREDIT: Reuters

Spotify already works with media brands such as Genius, which embeds lyrics and artist facts on the Spotify interface. But over the weekend, the streaming company announced plans to add more digital content on the platform via "Spotlight," a new multimedia format that will allow for podcasts, audiobooks, news, and other content.

For the project, Spotify has already partnered with eight companies like BuzzFeed News, Cheddar, Lenny Letter, Gimlet Media, Genius, and Refinery29.

Buzzfeed News Editor-in-chief Ben Smith said in a statement, “It feels like a generation ago that MTV News delivered the latest to a whole generation of music fans, but it’s not hard to imagine BuzzFeed News and Spotify doing the same in 2018." He continued, "We’re incredibly excited to bring together our award-winning audio team, world-class journalism, and Spotify’s massive, dynamic platform to get listeners up to speed every morning. I can’t wait to see this project get off the ground next week and grow along with the future of news.”

With over 70 million users worldwide, the streaming service is currently the largest of its kind in the world. "Spotlight" will only be available in the United States for now, but the new feature will be released in other countries “in the near future”.