News

Spotify Tests Three-Tier Premium Push In UAE And Saudi Arabia

The pilot gauges whether Gulf listeners will pay more for higher-fidelity audio, AI, and third-party DJ integration and bundled audiobooks.

Published

11 months ago

November 15, 2025

Nour Nasir

spotify tests three-tier premium push in the uae and saudi arabia

Spotify has rolled out a three-tier subscription mix in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, adding Premium Lite, Premium Standard, and a new Platinum tier. It is one of the streaming company’s most granular pricing tests in the region and lands as paid use across the Gulf edges upward.

The same pilot is also moving into South Africa, Indonesia, and India, giving Spotify a broader read on what listeners value most — sound quality, extra content, or simply ad-free access. The UAE and Saudi markets, both young and mobile-heavy, are expected to offer early signals.

spotify premium platinum uae and saudi arabia

Premium Lite keeps things basic: ad-free listening without heavier features. Premium Standard covers everyday use and retains offline playback. Platinum is the biggest change: It introduces Lossless Audio, AI DJ, AI-built playlists, and hooks for third-party DJ tools, alongside existing options such as Jam and Daylist.

Platinum users also get audiobook access. The tier includes 12 hours for plan managers with optional 10-hour top-ups. At launch, the catalogue opens with more than 150,000 English-language titles, and tools like automatic bookmarking and a Sleep Timer are folded in.

Also Read: Dorsey-Backed diVine Brings Back Vine’s Looping Videos

Spotify says the test reflects shifts in listening behavior rather than a cosmetic refresh. “We know that the way people connect with audio is deeply personal,” said Akshat Harbola, Managing Director for MENAP at Spotify. The pilot, he said, is built around “more choice, flexibility, and value” as the platform probes demand for higher-fidelity sound.

The Middle East has become a useful proving ground for premium digital tiers, helped in part by Saudi Arabia’s cultural spending under Vision 2030 and the UAE’s appetite for mobile-first services. If the mix holds, Spotify could carry the model into more markets as competition over paid listeners tightens.

Related Topics:Saudi Arabia Spotify United Arab Emirates

Up Next

Emirates Airline To Roll Out Free Starlink Wi-Fi This Month

Don't Miss

Dorsey-Backed diVine Brings Back Vine’s Looping Videos

Click to comment

News

New Disney+ Streaming App Has Officially Launched In The UAE

The app’s recommendations now factor in what’s popular in the UAE, and a dedicated Junior Mode gives kids their own corner of Disney+.

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Dana Saadeh

Disney

A new Disney+ app has officially launched in the UAE, and subscribers can now keep watching their favorite titles when they travel. Disney+ says access extends across supported markets in Europe, the United States and beyond.

The app is built around a dynamic homepage and simpler navigation, with recommendations drawn from each customer’s viewing habits and what’s popular in the UAE. Content from Hulu and ESPN is now easier to find alongside Disney+’s own library, the company says. Audio and subtitles come in up to 25 languages, and supported devices get high-quality video and sound.

For families, the app includes Junior Mode, a dedicated, simplified version of Disney+ for younger viewers, built around age-appropriate shows and movies. It sits alongside existing controls such as PIN-protected profiles, customizable content ratings and account notifications when a profile is changed.

The catalog still spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu and FX. Returning series include Season 8 of “The Kardashians,” Season 23 of “Grey’s Anatomy” and Season 38 of “The Simpsons”. Also on the service are the second season of International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series “Rivals,” comedy “Only Murders in the Building,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootropolis 2” and 20th Century Studios’ “Send Help”.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

Marvel Television’s “VisionQuest” is on the way, and Disney’s live-action “Moana” is due later this autumn. Beyond Hollywood, the Turkish title “Halef” is coming to the platform alongside a lineup of Korean entertainment: Korean-Japanese romantic comedy “Merry Berry Love” is streaming now, and “The Remarried Empress” arrives November 4.

Existing subscribers will be prompted to download the new app and sign in with their current credentials, with on-screen steps covering account confirmation and profile setup. Subscriptions start at AED 49.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.

For UAE subscribers planning to travel, the update will likely be well received, but Disney has left one question open. It confirms Europe and the United States as supported markets but doesn’t yet say which others fall under and beyond.