The Weeknd's new 45-minute concert film has launched exclusively on Spotify as part of the platform's "Billions Club: The Series," marking a significant expansion in their video content strategy. The film will remain exclusive to Spotify for 48 hours.

Unlike previous Billions Club episodes featuring Ed Sheeran and Miley Cyrus that ran for about six minutes each, The Weeknd's concert film represents a major shift in content length and production value. Produced by OBB Pictures, the special includes concert footage from a Los Angeles performance and features The Weeknd's voiceover commentary.

The release comes as Spotify aggressively expands its video offerings, particularly in the podcast space. Despite YouTube overtaking Spotify as the leading podcast platform in the US in 2024, Spotify continues to invest in video content through initiatives like their Partner Program, launched in January.

However, this expansion faces several challenges:

• Content moderation issues, including unauthorized uploads and adult content
• Unclear categorization of video content as "podcasts"
• Presence of non-music audio and generic recordings affecting artist discovery
• Questions about monetization and revenue sharing with creators

The Weeknd, who currently boasts 117 million monthly Spotify listeners, represents a significant draw for the platform. The concert film's prominent placement in search results demonstrates Spotify's commitment to promoting premium video content while navigating the complexities of their expanding media ecosystem.

During its 48-hour exclusivity window, the film aims to attract both dedicated fans and casual listeners, serving as a test case for Spotify's evolving video strategy and content distribution model.

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