Spotify is now launching music videos in the United States and Canada, along with several other markets. This follows the feature’s initial beta release in select overseas markets last year. The videos, provided by music labels through new agreements, are exclusively available to paying subscribers on Spotify’s Premium plan. They can be streamed on the iOS, Android, desktop, and TV apps.
Users will notice a new “Switch to video” option while listening to a song. The video will begin playing from the current point in the track, an improvement over the earlier beta version. Listeners can return to audio-only playback at any time by selecting “Switch to audio.” When a phone is turned to landscape orientation, the videos can be viewed in full-screen mode.
After switching to video, the music video will replace the short, looping Canvas artwork that typically accompanies tracks, unless the user has disabled that feature in their settings.
By the end of the month, Spotify will introduce video-specific playlists for subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. These will include curated lists like 90s Video Hits, Hip-Hop Throwbacks, Latin Party Hits, Country Hits, and Pop Music Video Hits. Users will also receive personalized video recommendations directly on the app’s home screen.
Introducing music videos to the key U.S. market helps Spotify better compete with YouTube, which offers its own music streaming service and has expanded into podcasts. Spotify has countered this by adding support for video podcasts and other social features like comments, Q&As, and polls, making the app feel more like a social network.
News of the music video feature’s impending U.S. arrival was leaked last month, following Spotify’s deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association in November. This expanded partnership includes an opt-in portal allowing NMPA members to enter direct license agreements for audio-visual rights in the U.S. Spotify stated this move would increase revenue for songwriters and independent publishers.
Throughout 2025, Spotify also forged other deals that included audio-visual rights with major labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, and Warner Music Group.
The company has not shared the total number of videos available at launch, which specific labels are participating, or the details of the agreements. However, a spokesperson confirmed that music video streams of at least 30 seconds will be reported and generate royalties, consistent with existing audio streaming agreements.
In addition to the U.S. and Canada, Spotify is bringing music videos to Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Uganda, and Venezuela. In the beta markets of Brazil and Colombia, music videos are also offered to listeners on the free tier.