Spotify Newsletter #286

Your Weekly Dose of Spotify News

Jan 07, 2026

A new year — and the same love for all things Spotify. Welcome to the first issue of 2026! I’m excited to dive into another great year of Spotify news, insights and trends.

It’s year 6 for the Spotify Newsletter, and I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for subscribing, reading, emailing, commenting, and supporting the newsletter.

★ SPOTlight

⭐️ 25 Ways Spotify Leveled Up Your Listening in 2025

From crisper Lossless audio and immersive music videos in beta to new Audiobooks+ plans, custom transitions between tracks, and in-app Messages, we keep leveling up the way people experience Spotify.

⭐️ Spotify Makes It Easier to Monetize Video Podcasts

The audio giant is broadening the eligibility criteria for the Spotify Partner Program, which gives certain podcast creators payouts based on their engagement, and partnering with independent podcast hosting platforms such as Acast and Audioboom to allow their shows to monetize their video podcasts on Spotify.

⭐️ Spotify Unveils Podcast Space Sycamore Studios in West Hollywood

Spotify Sycamore Studios will be home to Ringer podcasts like ‘The Rewatchables,’ ‘RingerVerse’ and ‘The Hottest Take,’ among others. Access is invite-only to video creators in the Spotify Partner Program.

⭐️ Spotify is finally bringing your friends’ Listening Activity to mobile

The company is also adding a Request to Jam option to mobile chats.

⭐️ Is Spotify Sunsetting the ‘Basic’ Music-Only Subscription?

Spotify’s ‘Basic’ music-only subscription now comes with an important caveat: if you cancel it, you’ll lose access to the tier forever. Is Spotify simply sunsetting this tier — and further slashing songwriter royalties?

⭐️ Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’ and ‘Purple Rain’ Spotify Streams More Than Double in ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale Surge

Since the episode debuted on New Year’s Eve, “Purple Rain” has seen a 243 percent increase in Spotify global streams and a 577 percent surge in global Gen-Z streams specifically. “When Doves Cry” also saw a 200 percent boost in global streams, as well as a 128 percent increase in Gen Z streams. Overall streams of Prince‘s catalog have climbed 190 percent, with an 88 percent uptick in Gen Z streams.