Spotify to enable group listening

Spotify unveils a group session functionality: it basically allows several people to listen simultaneously to the same podcast or playlist (yes something like an old-fashioned radio...). In the practice, subscribers may define groups from two to five people by sending them a shared link. All group members will be in control of the listening process: they may pause, fastforward or stop it but also add new songs to the existing playlist.

This function is currently exclusive to Premium subscribers.

For perspective, paid audio streaming was used by 10.5% of Belgians in 2019 (+76% vs 2 years ago), and 20% of people under 35 years (+90% vs 2017) according to CIM ES. Those proportions are expected to grow as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Spotify creates Anchor to let people turn video chats into podcasts

Spotify's podcast creation platform Anchor has introduced a feature that lets people turn their video chats into podcast-ready audio.

The new video-to-audio conversion tool works with video calling platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Twitch and Instagram Live.

Not Belgian yet: Spotify Podcast Ads

As a consequence of their heavy developments in podcasts, Spotify is reported to launch an advertising system dedicated to this very particular type of channel. Based on the intake information and listening habits, Spotify claims to be able to "hyper-target" the podcast offer, which seems to be highly relevant with podcasts. Important: it also involves Spotify Premium users, even if they have the opportunity to opt-out from advertising. It is currently limited to English-speaking countries, but as podcasts seem to be on the rise everywhere in the world, it is expected to enter other countries soon.

VTM News absorbed by HLN

DPG Media further integrates brands. Effective Oct 23rd, both website and daily newsletter are now part of HLN.be and HLN-app. This does not drastically expand the reach of HLN: on a daily basis it used to reach 23.5% of all Dutch-speaking adults. The combination with VTM Nieuws hardly made a difference, at 23.7% (CIM-Internet, Sep 2019).

Proximus to launch Pickx

The portal Skynet.be from Proximus is about to be replaced by the new Proximus Pickx (www.proximuspickx.be), presented as a content platform, under the ATAWAD principle (Any Time, AnyWhere, Any Device). The transversal approach will also be translated into a new decoder, with vocal command, including Chromecast, decoder that may be used as a game console as well. This new device is said to be available at the start of the new school year.