Spotify goes after radio listeners with news updates

Spotify is doubling down on its attempts to pull listeners across from radio to its platform with a new playlist feature that includes music and news content.

Radio is undoubtedly still a force to be reckoned with in Australia, which is full loyal listeners despite the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

Despite the rise of DSPs and podcasting, radio’s core audience remains strong.

This has been explained by many in the industry, who reference the unique mix of news updates, traffic, music, talkback and more, that only Breakfast or Drive radio can provide.

But that could all be about to change.

Spotify’s new Your Daily Drive is a personalised playlist that will add news updates and podcasts to music and is aimed specifically at drivers.

As The Verge reports, Spotify has launched the new service in the US, with The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Public Radio International to provide the news audio.

Unlike other personalised Spotify playlists, the news and music will update throughout the day.

There is yet to be confirmation that the playlists will launch into Australia, but with these sorts of updates, we’re not usually far behind the United States.

If Spotify can pull this off successfully, it will have launched a playlist that strongly mimics the successful radio formula.

Will this new mix of music, news and podcasting pull more listeners from radio? Let us know in the comments.