Spotify, the audio streaming and international media service provider, announced on Monday, March 25, the launch of its trial for video-based courses for U.K. users.

Starting today, U.K. Spotify users will notice a new addition to their streaming platform as video courses become available alongside their favourite music, podcasts, and audiobooks. The courses cover topics, organised into four main themes: make music, get creative, learn business, and healthy living.

The video-based courses in the trial are shared by renowned educational tech companies such as BBC Maestro, PLAYvirtuoso, Skillshare, and Thinkific.

Babar Zafar, vice-president of product development at Spotify, said: “Testing video courses in the U.K. allows us to explore an exciting opportunity to better serve the needs of our users who have an active interest in learning.”

Zafar said Spotify users regularly consume podcasts and audiobooks for educational purposes and is confident they will be receptive to video-based learning content.

Close to half of Spotify Premium subscribers globally engage with educational or self-help-themed podcasts and the company sees video courses as a natural progression for its platform.

During the trial period, both free users and premium subscribers will be able to sample at least two lessons per course for free before committing to additional purchases.

Spotify has expanded its product offering and its presence in various markets over the last few years. In 2021, it entered the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) market. Earlier this year, it signed a new multiyear agreement with Joe Rogan.

The platform has over 132 million active users in the LAC and implementing the service in the region could potentially spell improved distribution for EdTech content creators.