Spotify Looks to Expand AI-Narrated Audiobooks On Its Platform – Hollywood Reporter
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterThe company has partnered with AI software company ElevenLabs to allow more authors to use digital narration in their audiobooks.
By
Caitlin Huston
Business Writer
Spotify will now accept more AI-narrated audiobooks on its platform through a partnership with ElevenLabs.
The AI software company provides voice narration that has the ability to narrate books in 29 languages and gives the author control of the voice and intonation.
Books that use AI narration will be marked in the metadata on Spotify and the book description will lead with the statement, “This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.”
Spotify had already supported digital voice-narrated content created with Google Play Books, however, this adds in another possibility for authors, as Spotify’s audiobook production platform, Findaway has specific rules around working with AI narration services.
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“As Spotify continues to roll out audiobooks to new listeners worldwide, we’re committed to providing authors with tools that help them reach those listeners and lowering the barrier to entry so more authors than ever can have their books heard,” the company said in a statement.
Spotify launched its audiobooks offering in September 2022, following its acquisition of audiobook production platform Findaway in November 2021. The company began offering 15 free hours of listening to premium members in the U.S. starting in November 2023.
The company has been positioning its move into audiobooks as another way to diversify its business model, after heavily investing in the podcasting space. The revenue generated from this segment has not yet been broken out in the company’s earnings.
“This greatly improves our offering, which will lead to people increase their engagement with Spotify, which will then, of course, reduce churn,” Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said of the audiobooks offering in November 2023. “Now, in addition to that, this gives great flexibility to our business, which will ultimately help our revenue and profits.”Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSend us a tip using our anonymous form.
Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/spotify-ai-narrated-audiobooks-1236142068/
