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In a nutshell: Spotify is getting ready to launch its long-awaited high-fidelity streaming service later this yr. Sources advised Bloomberg that the Swedish music big may cost as a lot as $5.99 monthly for entry – and that is on prime of the usual month-to-month payment that premium customers already pay.
Rumblings of a Spotify HiFi tier have continued for a number of years. In early 2023, Spotify co-president Gustav Söderström stated the business modified after they initially introduced the service, and that they would want to rethink their strategy in a manner that is smart for them and their listeners earlier than a rollout may happen.
The business change Söderström referenced was doubtless Apple’s choice to begin providing lossless high quality to its streaming music subscribers. Others, together with Amazon, adopted go well with shortly after.
Sources now inform Bloomberg that the HiFi tier, reportedly dubbed Music Pro, will probably be an add-on for present, paying subscribers – a “super-fan” streaming expertise, if you’ll. Along with higher-quality tracks, customers will be capable to leverage remixing instruments and get early entry to live performance tickets. The $5.99 monthly worth isn’t set in stone as the corporate remains to be hammering out particulars and licensing rights. Pricing can also be anticipated to differ by area, with cheaper charges in less-developed markets.
Even with mixing instruments and early entry to ticket gross sales, Spotify may have a tough time advertising Music Professional towards 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 almost $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 of including audiobook access for HiFi subscribers, however ended up rolling this perk into its customary premium package deal. Now, premium members get 15 hours / month of listening time from the audiobooks subscriber catalog.
Picture credit score: Getty Images, Natalia Blauth
