Spotify Newsletter #287
Your Weekly Dose of Spotify News
★ SPOTlight
⭐️ Spotify chooses its musicians to watch in 2026 as co-CEOs look ahead
“Our aim is to build a product that leaves people feeling better at the end of every session,” wrote Norström and Söderström. “Curating a playlist for someone you care about takes intention. Listening deeply takes dedication. When you choose to invest that energy, it should feel rewarding.”
⭐️ Spotify raises Premium subscription price in U.S.
The last U.S. price hike was in July 2024.
⭐️ Spotify unveils first ever Songwriters To Watch list including Manuka, Luis Navidad and Sam Westhoff
“Songwriters to Watch 2026 introduces an inaugural class of standout songwriters and writer-producers working across genres, from Nashville hitmakers and global pop builders to producer-writers pushing sound forward,” Spotify said a statement.
⭐️ Poland's Ticketing Leader eBilet Integrates With Spotify
As part of the integration, events available on eBilet.pl will be matched to artist profiles on Spotify and listed on album pages, the Now Playing view, the Live Events feed, and Concerts Near You in the Spotify app, making it easier for fans to discover concerts by their favorite performers.
⭐️ Why Spotify is Partnering With Labels for AI Music Products
Spotify has struck licensing agreements with Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music to develop AI music creation tools with artist compensation.
🗣 Podcasts
How is the Spotify Partner Program changing how creators earn and grow?
Spotify Toasts to the Future of Podcasting With Creators at Our New Sycamore Studios
▶️ Playlists
This Hidden Spotify Feature Makes the Best Personalized Playlists
Spotify Releases Playlists Of Artists & Songwriters To Watch In 2026
🎧 Streams
The Cure’s ‘Boys Don't Cry’ Hits One Billion Streams On Spotify
A$AP Rocky's "Don't Be Dumb" Nears 1 Million Spotify Pre-Saves
Bruno Mars Breaks Spotify Record As Fans Gush Over New Single
Ellie Goulding’s ‘Hate Me’ Hits One Billion Streams On Spotify
Black Eyed Peas's 'Meet Me Halfway' Enters Spotify's Billions Club
🖌 Design
🤖 AI
💻 Tech
📢 Marketing
🔥 News
🎵 New Adventures
photo: Mark Sullivan/Getty Images
📧 If you have a question, or request for advertising info, please email jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.
Really solid roundup of where Spotify is headed. The Sony Music partnership on AI tooling is probably the most significant development here because it signals labels are finally ready to experiment with creator tools instead of just fighting distribution models. I've noticed how Songwriters To Watch lists used to be purely editorial but now they're clearly feeding algorithm training data. The fact they're building compensaton structures upfront rather than retroactively is kinda refreshing.