> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Spotify Tiers May Soon Look Different
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/spotify-tiers-may-soon-look-different/
- Published: 2017-03-31T10:23:35.000Z
- Updated: 2017-03-31T10:23:35.000Z
- Description: Although it's hoping to go public this year, Spotify's licensing deals with major labels are, for the moment, out of contract. As Spotify reworks these deals, it's expected that the. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2017/03/spotify-tiers-may-soon-look-different.html]
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Music Business, Streaming, Apple Music, Application programming interface, Drake (musician), Financial Times, Initial public offering, record label, Snap, Spotify, Streaming media, Taylor Swift, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:13

[![(1)](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d270e705970c-200wi "(1)")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d270e705970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)Although it's hoping to go public this year, Spotify's licensing deals with major labels are, for the moment, out of contract. As Spotify reworks these deals, it's expected that the different payment tiers available through Spotify will soon look different.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Guest post by *Bobby Owsinski* on [Music 3.0](http://music3point0.com/2017/03/29/spotify-tiers/?ref=hypebot.com)*As [mentioned here before](http://music3point0.com/2017/02/08/spotify-go-public/?ref=hypebot.com), **Spotify’s** licensing deals with the major labels is currently out of contract. This is a big deal since the company wants to go public this year, and that could be put in jeopardy if it doesn’t have its licensing house in order. But the labels are driving a hard bargain, not only financially but how their new music will be served up to users, and that could make Spotify tiers look different soon. [![Download](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b7c8e726e2970b-200wi "Download")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b7c8e726e2970b-popup?ref=hypebot.com)One of the things that’s already happening is that some of the hottest new releases will only be available on the paid tier (why did it take them so long to think of this?). Of course that’s an incentive for more people to upgrade from the free tier, but there may be something else coming soon that amplifies that strategy.It’s been reported that the labels are pushing for the free tier to be for singles only that are past their release “window” (the amount of time after it’s been exclusive on the paid tier), and the rest of the album will only be available on the paid tier. Again, this makes total sense in that it’s another incentive to get users to pay.Of course, should Spotify adopt that strategy, then you can be sure that the other streaming networks wouldn’t be too far behind.It’s also [been reported](http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/will-spotify-sign-new-licensing-deals-with-major-labels-within-weeks/?utm%5Fsource=newsletter%5F205&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=music-world-news) that the majors are pushing to up their stakes in Spotify in exchange for the new licensing agreements (yes, the majors all own a piece of Spotify), which could make them quite a bit of money when the company IPOs.All this means that there’s a lot going on behind the scenes at Spotify and negotiations will get more intense in the coming days and weeks. The sooner this is all worked out, the sooner the company can IPO, something that the investors are pushing heavily for. This might not be the best thing for music consumers, but reconfigured Spotify tiers will be better for artists, labels and publishers in the long run.

Related articles

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AVr2268bhrquzSebvz0O_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/7-reasons-why-spotify-has-real-leverage-negotiating-with-the-major-label-groups/)[7 Reasons Why Spotify Finally Has Real Leverage Negotiating With The Major Label Groups – hypebot](https://www.hypebot.com/7-reasons-why-spotify-has-real-leverage-negotiating-with-the-major-label-groups/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377893804_80_80.jpg)](https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/17/mulesoft-soars-46-on-first-day-of-trading/?ncid=rss&ref=hypebot.com)[MuleSoft soars 46% on first day of trading](https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/17/mulesoft-soars-46-on-first-day-of-trading/?ncid=rss&ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377872698_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-stop-free-users-listening-big-new-releases-ipo-report-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)[Spotify is reportedly going to block free users from listening to its hottest new music](http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-stop-free-users-listening-big-new-releases-ipo-report-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377882307_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/record-labels-want-spotifys-free-tier-to-get-a-lot-less-awesome-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)[Record labels want Spotify's free tier to get a lot less awesome](http://www.businessinsider.com/record-labels-want-spotifys-free-tier-to-get-a-lot-less-awesome-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377698877_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-has-reached-a-paid-user-milestone-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)[Spotify has reached a paid user milestone](http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-has-reached-a-paid-user-milestone-2017-3?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_69_80_80.jpg)](http://www.ibtimes.com/spotify-will-soon-limit-some-new-albums-paid-users-2510417?ref=hypebot.com)[Spotify Will Soon Limit Some New Albums To Paid Users](http://www.ibtimes.com/spotify-will-soon-limit-some-new-albums-paid-users-2510417?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377872798_80_80.jpg)](http://www.thefader.com/2017/03/16/spotify-paid-subscription-reduced-royalties?ref=hypebot.com)[Report: Spotify Could Pay Smaller Royalties To Labels, Make Big Albums Paid Exclusives](http://www.thefader.com/2017/03/16/spotify-paid-subscription-reduced-royalties?ref=hypebot.com)