Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets – Georgia is among them

Spotify to expand into more than 80 new markets – Georgia is among them

Streaming platform Spotify is to launch in 85 new markets, bringing the service to more than a billion extra people. Georgia is among them.

The announcement came via a livestreaming event featuring Justin Bieber, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Spotify has also announced a new higher sound-quality subscription service and a new advertising marketplace for podcasts.

Most of the new markets are developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean.

“Together these markets represent more than a billion people, with nearly half of them already using the internet,” said Spotify spokesman Alex Norstrom.

“Some of the places we’re going like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria have the fastest growing internet populations in the world,” he added.

An earlier expansion drive in India, Russia and the Middle East has already brought in millions of new subscribers.

The Swedish company, which started its service more than a decade ago, is currently available in 93 countries and has 345 million monthly active users.

Despite its enormous popularity, Spotify has long faced criticism over streaming royalties, which many musicians say are inadequate.