Karachi: Spotify has announced the introduction of its audiobooks service in Pakistan, offering a new dimension for listeners in the region to explore stories alongside their favorite music. Starting November 4, Spotify users in Pakistan can subscribe to a new add-on service, Audiobooks+, which provides an additional 15 hours of audiobook listening each month for a fee of PKR 489.

According to Spotify, the Audiobooks+ service allows both Free and Premium users to purchase additional listening hours if needed, with a 10-hour top-up available for PKR 579. The company is also offering the option to purchase individual audiobooks without a subscription. This launch is part of Spotify's global audiobooks expansion strategy, announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair, aiming to reach over 180 markets by the end of 2026.

Key features of the service in Pakistan include access to a catalog of over 100,000 English-language titles, a dedicated Audiobooks tab in the Spotify app for easy browsing, and features like offline listening, automatic bookmarking, and progress saving across multiple devices. The expansion into Pakistan reflects Spotify's commitment to broadening access to audiobooks and enhancing the listening experience for millions globally.

Spotify's VP of Audiobooks, Owen Smith, emphasized the impact of books on broadening perspectives and highlighted the role of audiobooks in reaching new audiences. Since the initial integration of audiobooks into Spotify Premium three years ago, the platform has seen substantial growth in audiobook listeners and hours spent listening, with Audiobooks+ amassing over one million subscribers in just over a year.

With this new offering, Spotify aims to enrich the auditory landscape for its users in Pakistan, providing them with more opportunities to engage with diverse narratives and ideas in their everyday lives.