Hello and happy Friday! It’s issue #182 of the Spotify Newsletter. The news is plentiful this week, so let’s jump into it.

Firstly, the big question (as noted in the Podcast section) is whether or not Spotify and Joe Rogan will sign the dotted line for part 2 to their (wildly successful) partnership.

I am still on team Yes. Aside from the folks who wake up each morning super-bummed that Rogan has a show on Spotify, where he has the opportunity to kick around ideas and opinions with different guests, the Spotify-Rogan experiment has been a win-win for all parties.

The Joe Rogan Experience was the most popular podcast in 2021 and 2022 on the platform. It will likely reign supreme again for 2023.

Ok - so Neil Young is still not pleased, but there’s no denying the success of the Joe Rogan show. I find it hard to believe Spotify brass won’t come to the table with a solid offer to keep the show rolling along. I also can’t see Rogan finding a better platform.

The question is: will the offer be another massive $200 million, or something…. slightly less massive, but still pretty darn good?

There have been rocky waters at times, deserved or not is up for debate, but I think both Spotify and Rogan have handled their union quite well. I could be way off, but I think the deal gets done and we see Rogan stick with Spotify.

What else? Taylor Swift. I bet her streaming numbers are even more super awesome after an exhausting, 2-week NFL / pop star mash-up that kept fans and media folks hyped and happy.

In the Spotlight section there’s a quintet of ‘big’ stories that carried the week for Spotify; the audiobooks play is a big deal, plus the new Artist Profiles should make fans and artists happy.

There’s even news, of the leaked variety, on ‘Spotify Supremium’ — the long-awaited Hi-Fi plan.

Thanks! Have a great weekend!!!!

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify has patented a ‘digital mixtape’ generator that compiles users’ voice recordings with songs

The patent application’s abstract states: “The system can receive a user command to generate a digital mixtape including a user-defined compilation of music. The user command identifies a recipient of the digital mixtape and identifies one or more media content items to be included in the music compilation for the recipient. The digital mixtape can also include audio recordings from the user to be added to the digital mixtape.”

⭐️ Spotify’s new artist profiles highlight music, Stories, merch and events

Spotify today is rolling out a big change in terms of how users connect with artists on its streaming music platform. With the newly debuted artist profile pages, content has been reorganized under three main tabs, including Music, Events and Merch. The Music tab will also now not only feature the artist’s tracks and albums, but also social features like Clips — short-form videos that let artists tell their own stories.

⭐️ Spotify Supremium leaks reveal features and logo for its incoming HiFi tier

Here's what's coming... maybe.

⭐️ Spotify spotted developing AI-generated playlists created with prompts

Following the successful launch of Spotify’s AI-powered DJ feature and, more recently, added support for AI-translated podcasts, Spotify now appears to be developing another means of using AI in its app: AI-powered playlists. References discovered in the app’s code indicate the company may be developing generative AI playlists users could create using prompts.

⭐️ Spotify to Make Audiobooks Free for Premium Subscribers

Premium subscribers will be able to listen to up to 15 hours of audiobooks per month, with a launch in the U.K. and Australia on Tuesday and the U.S. to come.

⭐️ Scores, Songs, and Supper Served at the Spotify Supper in London

Good food, good conversation, and amazing music. Is there anything better? That’s what was served up last week in London at our annual Spotify Supper, which included a live performance by Olivia Dean, our EQUAL UK & Ireland ambassador and recent Mercury Prize nominee.

🗣 Podcasts 🗣

• Will Spotify Pay Another $200 Million to Keep Joe Rogan Exclusive?

• 8 New and Returning Podcasts Coming to Spotify This Fall

• Spotify boss suggests Harry and Meghan's podcast failed as it didn't 'make consumers happy'

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• The Dominant Voices of Q3 2023: Top Artists in Spotify's New Music Friday Playlists

🎧 Streams 🎧

• How We Got 11X More Discover Weekly Streams On Release Week

• Jung Kook Is Competing Against Himself On Spotify

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How To Use Spotify Jam

🤖 Spot(ai)fy 🤖

• Spotify Embraces AI, Eschews AI Music Ban and Adds AI Podcast Translation

• Spotify May Be Working on AI-Powered, Prompt-Driven Playlist Feature

• Spotify sanctions AI content amid copyright chaos: what does it mean for businesses?

⚡️ Ek Notes ⚡️

• Spotify CEO on Apple and Google: 'If You Want to Be the Referee, You Can't Also Be the Player'

• Spotify CEO Daniel Ek explains the company’s new audiobook offering

🖌 Design 🖌

• How Spotify Created Its First AI DJ

💰 Stock 💰

• Spotify’s Audiobooks Push: Wall Street Dissects How It Differs From Its Podcast Initiative

🔥 News 🔥

• Spotify Partners With Roku on CTV Advertising

• Spotify threatens Uruguay exit amid proposed changes to music copyright laws

• Spotify Premium subscription price increases in Philippines

• Streaming growth strategies must not rely on consumer complacency

• Spotify Advertising Kicks Off Spotify Sparks in Brazil to Bring Marketers and Listeners Closer Together

• New Spotify feature is my jam – literally

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

In the Morning Nina Simone

Keep the Customer Satisfied Simon & Garfunkel

Trucker's Atlas Sun Kil Moon

Snowqueen Of Texas The Mamas & The Papas

Love Can't Be Borrowed The Sextones

Guided By Wire Neko Case

Stray Cat Blues - 50th Anniversary Edition The Rolling Stones

Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of the New Day) Jethro Tull

It All Begins And Ends With Love The Jackson 5

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀