Key Points
- Spotify launches its free music and podcast service in South Korea to expand its audience base.
- The freemium model offers a free, ad-supported tier and a premium ad-free subscription.
- Since Spotify launched in 2021, South Korean artists have received over 5.8 billion monthly streams.
- Spotify’s free tier provides advertisers with effective ad placement, capturing double the attention of social media platforms.
Spotify (SPOT.N), the popular audio streaming platform, announced on Thursday that it has made its free music and podcast service available in South Korea. This strategic move aims to attract a wider audience base in the country, allowing more users to access its content while expanding the influence of Korean music on the global stage.
Spotify operates under a “freemium” business model, offering a free, limited, ad-supported service and a premium subscription service with unlimited, on-demand, and ad-free music access. With the launch of its free tier in South Korea, users can now sign up for an account and enjoy a range of Spotify’s features, including curated playlists, podcasts, and personalized mixes, such as the Daily Mix. For those seeking a more immersive experience, users can upgrade to Spotify’s premium service, which offers ad-free music and additional features.
The platform’s expansion in South Korea is particularly significant for promoting Korean music, especially K-pop, to a global audience. Spotify emphasized the growing popularity of Korean artists, stating that since the platform’s debut in South Korea in 2021, the monthly streams of South Korean artists on the platform have exceeded 5.8 billion. It underscores Spotify’s influence in promoting Korean music internationally, highlighting the worldwide demand for K-pop and other Korean genres.
Spotify also noted the advantages for advertisers using its free tier. According to the company, ads on Spotify capture twice as much attention as ads on social media platforms globally. It opens up new opportunities for brands looking to reach listeners in South Korea and beyond effectively. The free tier offers advertisers a unique space to deliver their messages in a more engaged environment, where users listen to audio content, including music and podcasts. At the same time, advertisements are seamlessly integrated into the experience.
By expanding its free service in South Korea, Spotify aims to attract more users and strengthen its role in the global music market, particularly by connecting listeners worldwide to Korean music. This step is part of Spotify’s broader mission to grow its audience base and enhance the streaming experience for users while providing brands with a powerful platform for advertising.
