Music streaming service Spotify is to buy two companies that produce and publish podcasts.

The Swedish firm is to acquire Gimlet Media, an independent producer of podcast content, and Anchor, a creation, publishing and monetisation service for podcasts.

However the terms of the sales were not disclosed.

Spotify has said with these addtions, it wants to become "the premier producer of podcasts and the leading platform for podcast creators".

Gimlet will provide Spotify with podcast studio and dedicated IP development, production and advertising capabilities.

While Anchor will provide tools for podcast creators.

Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek said: "These acquisitions will meaningfully accelerate our path to becoming the world's leading audio platform, give users around the world access to the best podcast content, and improve the quality of our listening experience as well as enhance the Spotify brand.

Spotify headquarters in Stockholm | Image: © 2019 Spotify AB

"We are proud to welcome Gimlet and Anchor to the Spotify team, and we look forward to what we will accomplish together."

Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber, co-founders of Gimlet Media, added: "The medium of audio is uniquely great at creating human connection and understanding.

"We are thrilled that Gimlet is joining Spotify to do that at a global scale, on the platform and beyond."

And Michael Mignano, CEO of Anchor, said: "We look forward to continuing to empower creators all over the world to build an audience, generate revenue, and most importantly, have their voices heard."

The sales, which are subject to customary closing conditions, are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.

Spotify is the world's largest music streaming subscription service with more than 200 million users across 78 markets.