Spotify has announced that its premium subscribers in the United Kingdom and Australia will now enjoy a generous monthly allowance of 15 hours of free audiobook content. This bold initiative, which had been rumored earlier, officially kicks off this week. While listeners in the United States will have to wait until winter for this offering to reach their shores, it is undoubtedly a significant step for Spotify in broadening its audio content horizon.

This new audiobook library will encompass an impressive array of over 150,000 titles, drawing from the catalogs of five major book publishers. What’s more, subscribers in the US can extend their listening pleasure by purchasing an additional 10 hours for a mere $11 per month, while their counterparts in the UK can do so for £10. However, it’s worth noting that for users on family plans, only the primary account holder will receive these complimentary hours, and free users will have the option to purchase individual audiobooks separately.

In a direct challenge to its biggest competitor, Amazon‘s Audible, Spotify’s offering outshines with its abundant selection. Audible offers subscribers one bestseller or new release each month, alongside a limited choice of additional titles and podcasts, all for a monthly fee of $15. In contrast, Spotify boasts that it provides access to more than 70% of the best-selling audiobooks, giving listeners an enticing variety of content.

Spotify’s strategic ambitions in the audiobook realm became evident when it finalized its acquisition of Findaway, a prominent audiobook distributor, last year. Following this acquisition, Spotify promptly made these audiobooks available for purchase through its app, signaling its intent to become a comprehensive audio destination for both consumers and creators.

Gustav Söderström, co-president of Spotify, underscored the company’s commitment to audio in a press release, stating, “It’s Spotify’s ambition to be the destination for all things audio, both for listeners and creators.” This move firmly establishes Spotify as a key player in the audiobook industry.

However, it’s worth noting that Spotify has faced challenges in selling individual audiobooks through Apple due to an unresolved dispute with the tech giant. Despite this hurdle, Spotify’s latest offering promises to redefine the audiobook experience for its premium subscribers in the UK and Australia, and soon, for its audience in the United States.