Spotify Launches Video Streaming, Artist Radio Shows, Running Program, Other Features

At a press conference in New York today, Spotify announced the addition of several new features, including video content, podcasts, news, original programming, and a new running program. The new features launch on iPhones today in the U.S., with further launches coming soon.

Spotify’s video content will include original and rebroadcasted shows from partners including Vice News, the BBC, NBC, Slate, E!, Adult Swim, MTV, Comedy Central, ESPN, Condé Nast, and TED. There will be a video series presented by Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls website called “Dance Move of the Day”, a series called “Turntable” that pairs chefs and musicians, and more. 

Podcasts from WNYC, American Public Media, the BBC, PRX, and more will be available. Spotify will also host its own radio shows presented by artists like Tyler, the Creator and Odd Future, Icona Pop, Jungle, and Mike Skinner.

The “Spotify Now” feature contains activity-specific playlists, meant to sync with different times during the day, such as “early morning” or “songs to sing in the shower.” Those playlists will be generated by Spotify. 

The “Spotify Running” feature finds music that syncs to a user’s run. The feature detects the user’s pace, and then finds a song with a similar tempo. Spotify also commissioned original tracks that can play at different tempos, depending on one’s pace, from artists including Tiësto (who appeared at the press conference).

To close the press conference, D’Angelo came on stage to perform, backed by ?uestlove on drums. (Last week, he released a Spotify Sessions EP.) Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson of “Broad City” also appeared.

Read “Station to Station”, our cover story on the future of streaming music.

Below, watch a pair of promos for the service:

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