Spotify moves to audiobooks after podcast strategy fails

Meghan Markle's Archetypes podcast reportedly failed to hit performance targets

Spotify began offering audiobooks in the UK late last year year, it challenged Amazon-owned Audible, which is the market's biggest player.

Until now, users have been able to purchase individual games, and Spotify has been channeling downloads through its own website due to an ongoing dispute with Apple on fees for in-app purchases.

The update means paid subscribers will be eligible for 15 free hours each month, the equivalent of about two average-length audiobooks. If needed, users can purchase an additional 10-hour allocation as a top-up.

Spotify partners with some of the world's largest book publishers for its audiobook service, including Harper Collins, Penguin Random House, and Hachette.

The offer is initially available only to subscribers in the UK and Australia, but is expected to be available in other English-speaking countries.