Spotify, the beloved platform known for its extensive library of music, podcasts, and audiobooks, is stepping into the world of online learning with its latest experiment. In a move that might surprise some, Spotify is now offering video-based courses in the UK, expanding its repertoire to include educational content alongside its usual audio offerings.
Partnering with renowned platforms like BBC Maestro, Skillshare, Thinkific, and PlayVirtuoso, Spotify is introducing users to a new way of learning directly within its app. This bold experiment is currently limited to the UK, with no guarantees of a broader rollout in the future.
Mohit Jitani, Spotify's product director, explains the rationale behind this venture, noting that many users are already turning to Spotify for educational podcasts. With approximately half of its Premium subscribers engaging with education or self-help themed podcasts, Spotify sees an opportunity to cater to this growing demand by offering curated courses.
The courses are organized into four categories: make music, get creative, learn business, and healthy living, providing users with a diverse range of learning opportunities. Accessing these courses is convenient, as they can be found within the Spotify app itself, eliminating the need to download additional applications.
To ensure accessibility, Spotify is adopting a freemium model for its courses. Both free and premium subscribers can access a limited number of video lessons for free, with the option to purchase the full course for an additional fee. While Android users can make purchases directly within the app, iOS users must navigate to Spotify's web interface due to Apple's transaction fees.
As Spotify explores this new territory, it's also considering how learning could factor into its rumored "Supremium" subscription tier. This tier may offer additional features such as lossless-quality streaming, advanced mixing tools, and more track filtering options, potentially including access to online courses as an added incentive for users to upgrade.
While this experiment is currently in its early stages, it raises intriguing possibilities for the future of Spotify. Whether it's mastering a new skill or exploring a passion, Spotify's foray into online learning could open doors to a world of knowledge for its users.
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