In a nutshell: Spotify is getting ready to launch its long-awaited high-fidelity streaming service later this 12 months. Sources instructed Bloomberg that the Swedish music big might cost as a lot as $5.99 monthly for entry – and that is on prime of the usual month-to-month price that premium customers already pay.
Rumblings of a Spotify HiFi tier have endured for a number of years. In early 2023, Spotify co-president Gustav Söderström stated the trade modified after they initially introduced the service, and that they would want to rethink their technique in a approach that is sensible for them and their listeners earlier than a rollout might happen.
The trade change Söderström referenced was possible Apple’s choice to begin providing lossless high quality to its streaming music subscribers. Others, together with Amazon, adopted swimsuit shortly after.
Sources now inform Bloomberg that the HiFi tier, reportedly dubbed Music Professional, will likely be an add-on for current, paying subscribers – a “super-fan” streaming expertise, if you’ll. Along with higher-quality tracks, customers will have the ability to leverage remixing instruments and get early entry to live performance tickets. The $5.99 monthly value isn’t set in stone as the corporate continues to be hammering out particulars and licensing rights. Pricing can be anticipated to fluctuate by area, with cheaper charges in less-developed markets.
Even with mixing instruments and early entry to ticket gross sales, Spotify might have a tough time advertising Music Professional in opposition to the competitors. A person Apple Music subscription sells for $11.99 monthly, and the total catalog is obtainable in lossless. A Spotify particular person membership additionally begins at $11.99, plus the price of the Music Professional add-on. That’s practically $18 a month and let’s be trustworthy, how many individuals are actually going to care about live performance tickets or remixing software program?
Spotify beforehand thought-about including audiobook entry for HiFi subscribers, however ended up rolling this perk into its customary premium bundle. Now, premium members get 15 hours / month of listening time from the audiobooks subscriber catalog.
Picture credit score: Getty Photos, Natalia Blauth
