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Spotify puzzles me. How can it be sustainable? For my listening purposes, the free version is more than adequate. I don't mind listening to a new album with two
by Tycho 16y ago
Spotify puzzles me. How can it be sustainable? For my listening purposes, the free version is more than adequate. I don't mind listening to a new album with two or three interruptions for adverts (just turn the volume down), and I don't mind needing to be near a computer to hear the music (I have good comp speakers). I subscribed to the service for a while but didn't renew it because I'm happy with the free service.
Post-Spotify, the only reason for me to spend money on the music industry is to 'support' their efforts. Previously I would happily pay for an album if that was the only legal option. And even if you do subscribe - £10 per month? I think anyone who loves music enough to really take advantage of the service could justify spending £40-£100 per month.
I don't get it. I'd like to see their revenues. And the opportunity costs. I have three theories
1)They plan to wean the public off any/all illegal filesharing by offering a far superior service for next to nothing. Then, when the public has sufficiently 'de-skilled' from piracy, they will start raising prices without losing customers.
2) They've decided the battle against piracy is futile and they're settling for a tragically reduced ROI over potentially nothing at all.
3) It's a massive blunder.
- wmf 16y agoI read somewhere that Spotify is saving money by paying virtually no royalties.
- Tycho 16y agoI heard a thousand listens is enough to buy the author/artist a cup of tea. Today I discovered another service We7.com, which allegedly offers the same range of music as Spotify but with less adverts and without the need for software client (works through browser). And supposedly pays full royalties AND turns a profit. A fourth theory could be that Apple have been planning such a service for years and labels want to beat them to the punch by backing Spotify et al
- erikstarck 16y agoI've been an early beta tester and became premium member when they launched their mobile version (which you must pay to use). Now whenever I hear someone with the ad supporter version I don't understand how they can stand all the commercials. I think they have about 5% paying customers which is pretty high. Considering they have a few million users it adds up to quite some revenue.