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Spotify now does videos and podcasts

Spotify now does videos and podcasts

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No longer just a music service

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Spotify is no longer just a music service. On stage in New York City today, the company shared its new goal of finding the perfect content to accompany every moment in your day. CEO Daniel Ek said his company is taking a "massive leap forward" that "goes beyond the conventional formats." Ek and his fellow executives showcased a new version of Spotify that's more closely aligned with Songza, with playlists tailored for a listener's day. But it's not just limited to music; the new Spotify also brings podcasts to what was previously just a music app. And a new "video capsule" offers streaming video from partners like Comedy Central, Vice News, and The Nerdist. Essentially, Spotify wants to become your all-in-one jukebox. For everything.

Spotify's full slate of new partners includes:

  • ABC
  • Adult Swim
  • BBC
  • Comedy Central
  • E!
  • ESPN
  • Fusion
  • Maker Studios
  • MTV
  • NBC
  • RadioLab
  • Slate
  • TED
  • TWiT
  • Vice News
  • WNYC
Spotify partners

Spotify's expansion comes as the company is facing more competition than ever before as it attempts to maintain its position atop the subscription music business. Jay Z's Tidal is trying to lure in mainstream consumers with exclusive music videos and live-streaming concerts. In many ways, the company has made exclusive content an even greater focus than its lossless, CD-quality audio tier that subscribers can get by paying $19.99 per month.

And then there's Apple; after Beats Music largely failed to make a dent in the streaming music wars, the company has quietly been reworking the service and is expected to relaunch it — this time directly integrated into iOS and iTunes — next month. Aside from those two, you've also got Google, Rdio, and others vying for more subscribers and consumer mindshare. Spotify has fared better than all the rest so far, and has endured the loss of music from stars like Taylor Swift and Jay Z. But today's event signals that Spotify realizes it can't afford to stay still for very long.