Spotify Inks Deal With UMG

Score another victory for Taylor Swift: Spotify has inked a deal with Universal Music Group that will give paid subscribers exclusive access to new tunes from the music corporations’ artists.

– Spotify

As of April 4, Universal artists can now choose to release albums behind a paywall, while the singles would still be available to the masses for free.

The partnership promises to “provide UMG with unprecedented access to data, creating the foundation for new tools for artists and labels to expand, engage and build deeper connections with their fans.”

The deal could also reportedly give Spotify a break on fees paid to UMG for streams.

The rumor mill is spinning that Spotify wants to go public in the near future, although the streaming giant has yet to demonstrate it can survive as a profitable company.