Audio streaming giant Spotify posted third-quarter subscriber gains to end September with 281 million paying premium subscribers, up from 276 million as of the end of the second quarter in June. Monthly active users (MAUs) grew to 713 million from 696 million. Management had previously forecast 281 million premium subs and 710 million MAUs.
The firm reported an operating profit of €582 million, up 28 percent from the year-ago period, on higher revenue and a 2 percent drop in operating expenses. Revenue of €4.27 billion grew 7 percent, or 12 percent assuming constant currencies, reflecting subscriber gains. But ad-supported revenue declined 6 percent, or flat when assuming constant currencies. The firm also highlighted that “unfavorable currency movements slowed total revenue year-over-year growth.”
Spotify highlighted that in the third quarter, “all KPIs met or exceeded guidance,” concluding: “Overall, we are very pleased with our performance heading into year-end and view the business as well-positioned to deliver growth and improving margins in 2025 as we reinvest to support our long-term potential.”
Gross margin was 31.6 percent in the latest period, up over the year-ago quarter. That reflected a “premium decline, driven by video podcast costs, partially offset by erevenue growth outpacing music costs net of marketplace programs and audiobook costs,” Spotify said, also noting. “ad-supported gains driven by improved contribution from podcasts and music.”
Said Ek: “The business is healthy. We’re shipping faster than ever. And we have the tools we need – pricing, product innovation, operational leverage, and eventually the ads turnaround – to deliver both revenue growth and profit expansion.”
Spotify recently unveiled that founder and CEO Daniel Ek will transition to the role of executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Gustav Söderström, co-president and chief product and technology officer, and Alex Norström, co-president and chief business officer, will then serve as its co-CEOs, reporting to Ek.
From early 2026, Spotify video podcasts will appear on Netflix under a recently struck partnership. The select podcasts from Spotify Studios and The Ringer initially include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Zach Lowe Show, The McShay Show, The Rewatchables, Conspiracy Theories and more. The video podcasts will be available on Netflix in the U.S. early next year, with other markets to follow. More titles will become available over time.
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