Spotify Signals Ambition With Purchase of Podcasting Firms

Spotify Is Acquiring Pair of Podcasting Companies, Signaling Broad Ambitions

The acquisition plans come as the company reports its first operating profit, for the fourth quarter

From the invention of the phonograph in 1877 to the boom in streaming services today, the music industry has had to constantly adapt to emerging technology. In this video, we explore whether music can continue to reinvent itself to survive. Photo: Liliana Llamas/WSJ

The world’s biggest music-streaming company wants to become the world’s most important audio-streaming company.

Spotify Technology SA is buying a pair of podcasting companies, accelerating its investment in nonmusic content as it seeks to broaden its appeal and snap up share of listening time from radio.

The company, which is already the...