Spotify Hits 226 Million Paying Subs, Swings to Quarterly Revenue

Audio streaming large Spotify reported better-than-expected third-quarter subscriber beneficial properties and a shock working revenue.

The corporate ended September with 226 million paying premium subscribers, up from 220 million as of the tip of June, exceeding its forecast that it might attain 224 million within the newest interval.

Stockholm-headquartered Spotify, led by CEO Daniel Ek, additionally reported that it hit 574 million month-to-month lively customers (MAUs) as of the tip of the third quarter, up from 551 million on the finish of the second quarter. The corporate had beforehand estimated it might finish the most recent interval with 572 million MAUs.

“The enterprise delivered sturdy ends in the third quarter, as all of our key efficiency indicators exceeded steerage,” the corporate stated.

Third-quarter income jumped 11 p.c to €3.36 billion ($3.57 billion), as promoting income rose 16 p.c regardless of macroeconomic headwinds, pushed by podcasting and the Spotify Viewers Community, amongst different issues. “Advert-supported income grew 16 p.c year-over-year (or 24 p.c on fixed foreign money), reflecting double-digit year-over-year development throughout all areas,” Spotify stated. “Music promoting income re-accelerated and grew almost 20% year-over-year, pushed by development in impressions offered and secure pricing. Podcast promoting income development remained within the wholesome double-digit vary, pushed by important year-over-year development in offered impressions throughout authentic and licensed podcasts and the Spotify Viewers Community, which was partially offset by softer pricing.”

The music streamer, which has been stepping up its give attention to profitability, additionally swung to a quarterly working revenue of €32 million ($34 million), in contrast with a year-ago lack of €228 million. As key drivers, it “greater gross margin,” helped by subscriber development and the early influence of value will increase, “in addition to lower-than-expected personnel and associated prices, and advertising and marketing spend.” 

Amid escalating prices, Spotify has been endeavor a number of cost-cutting measures. The streaming large laid off 200 staff in June, after beforehand shedding 600 staff in January and conducting layoffs in October. The corporate has additionally made programming cuts, together with ending its unique podcasting cope with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in June. And Spotify merged podcasting studios Parcast and Gimlet right into a single division after canceling 10 reveals from the 2 corporations. 

In late July, Spotify additionally unveiled that it would improve costs on its premium plan, bringing the associated fee to $10.99 monthly.

In its forecast for the present fourth quarter, Spotify projected that it might finish 2023 with 235 million premium subscribers, implying development of about 9 million within the ultimate quarter, and 601 million month-to-month lively customers, a achieve of round 27 million. The music streamer additionally predicted a fourth-quarter working revenue of €32 million