Spotify launches its video and podcasting service for Android and iOS devices

Spotify is launching its first video and podcasting services.

The music steaming company will have content available on Android and iOS by the end of next week in the UK.

By adding videos to its app, the firm believes it could encourage subscribers to spend more time using it and make more money through advertising.

Spotify first announced that it was working on the project to add entertainment, news and clips from a number of media providers last year.

Since then the Swedish firm has been gradually testing video on its apps with fewer than 10% of users.

Users of the Android app have access to videos now, followed by iOS users at the end of next week in the UK, US, Sweden and Germany.

Videos will only be offered through the app, despite the amount of people who use the system on a desktop.

Shiva Rajaraman, Spotify's vice president of product, said: "Obviously our primary user is a music fan, and they are not necessarily leaning in and looking into the app.

"So there are no particular recipes for how to get this right."

Video and podcasts will be provided by the likes of the BBC, Vice, ESPN and Comedy Central.

The BBC will provide clips from Top Gear, Planet Earth, Doctor Who and Blue Planet.

There will also be BBC News and podcasts on the service for international users but they can't be shown in the UK.

:story: BBC News