Spotify is officially launching its music video feature in the United States and Canada. After a successful beta rollout in international markets last year, Premium subscribers in North America can now stream full-length music videos directly through the Spotify app on iOS, Android, desktop, and TV platforms.
Seamless Integration and User Experience
The new functionality allows users to transition between audio and video modes effortlessly. When listening to a supported track, subscribers will see a “Switch to video” option. Upon activation, the music video begins playing exactly from the current timestamp of the song. Users can revert to audio-only mode at any time by selecting “Switch to audio.”
When active, the music video replaces the standard short, looping “Canvas” visuals. For mobile users, the experience supports full-screen playback when the device is held in landscape orientation.
Strategic Expansion and Content Discovery
To support the launch, Spotify is introducing video-centric playlists, including 90s Video Hits, Hip-Hop Throwbacks, Latin Party Hits, Country Music Video Hits, and Pop Music Video Hits. Personalized video recommendations will also appear on the app’s home screen.
This expansion positions Spotify as a more direct competitor to YouTube, which has long dominated the music video streaming space. By integrating video podcasts and social features like Q&As and polls, Spotify is aggressively evolving its platform into a comprehensive multimedia social network.
Licensing Agreements and Market Reach
The U.S. launch follows a critical deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) finalized in November. This agreement allows NMPA members to secure direct licenses for audiovisual rights, aiming to increase revenue for songwriters and independent publishers. Throughout 2025, Spotify also secured similar AV rights agreements with major labels, including Universal, Sony, and Warner Music Group.
While the company has not disclosed the total number of videos available at launch, a spokesperson confirmed that video streams lasting at least 30 seconds will be monetized and reported, mirroring the royalty structure applied to audio streams.
Beyond North America, the feature is rolling out in several additional territories, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Uganda, and Venezuela. A full list of beta markets remains available on the Spotify support site, where, notably, users in Brazil and Colombia can still access the video feature on the free tier.