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Spotify Premium Users Will Get Some Albums Two Weeks Before Free Users (theverge.com)
Spotify has signed a long-term licensing agreement with Universal Music Group, allowing new albums from Universal artists to be restricted to its premium service for up to two weeks. The Verge reports: In a statement, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek admitted that Spotify understands that its policy of releasing albums across its entire service couldn't last forever. "We know that not every album by every artist should be released the same way, and we've worked hard with UMG to develop a new, flexible release policy," Ek stated. "Starting today, Universal artists can choose to release new albums on premium only for two weeks, offering subscribers an earlier chance to explore the complete creative work, while the singles are available across Spotify for all our listeners to enjoy." The agreement with UMG should allow for deals with Spotify's other two major label partners, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Group, to be completed in short order -- deals that likely will match the parameters set in the Spotify-UMG deal -- paving the way for Spotify's initial public offering.
"standard spotify user" = non-paying user
"premium spotify user" = paying user
Unless a standard user decides they like the service and want to pay for premium membership, then they are basically just an overhead to Spotify, If they are so reluctant to pay anything that they'll go elsewhere, then that is largely a good thing for Spotify, as it's one fewer freeloader to support
Spotify's cost can be justified based pretty much on lack of hassle alone. We have the family plan, which is 4 accounts for $15/month. It works on:
- My Linux box (you can use a native client, Flash (vomit), or WINE)
- Windows machines at home (with no admin privileges required to install/update)
- Android phone
- Kindle tablet
- iOS devices
- I could also sign in on my TiVo and Blu Ray player if I really wanted to.
Everyone gets their own playlist, everyone can listen offline, it all just works for four (actually, up to six) people, for $15/month. I remember on Slashdot when people would say "I'll pay when it's a reasonable price, but till then I use Napster/Kazaa/Donkeywhatever/Torrents", or "Until it's on Linux". Now it's people who whine about the free tier having ads, artists not getting paid enough (as if the piracy ever netted the artist a cent), no lossless/FLAC, etc.
I mean, come on people, there's a reasonably priced music service out there that runs on pretty much anything you can think of (including Linux!), it's not tied to Apple or Google, and if you can't swing the $10 for a single subscription or $5 if you are a student, find five friends and make a "family", although you have to go get the cash from your friends every month.