• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Spotify boost for Swedish music firm coffers

Published: 27 May 10 14:53 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/26894/20100527/

Swedish online music service Spotify is starting to become a major revenue stream for Swedish music companies as digital sales are forecast to account for 25 percent of income in 2010.

"We can see a continued positive trend, and that is very exciting," said Per Sundin at Universal Music Sweden.

Sundin is referring to the development of the Swedish music market to date in 2010, after a 2009 which signalled a break in the negative trend with total revenues climbing in real terms for the first time since 2002.

While digital sales accounted for the greatest part of the increase, CD and vinyl remain popular and also recorded gains.

Income from so-called streaming climbed by a whopping 438 percent to 65 million kronor ($8.24 million), which a large part coming from Spotify.

Per Sundin expects over 25 percent of sales to come from digital sources in 2010, in comparison with 16 percent in 2009. He confirmed that "a large part" of the digital money comes from Spotify.

"Spotify has been incredibly successful and attracted even more paying customers, who pay 99 kronor per month," said Sundin.

He pointed out that Apple's iTunes and Nokia's equivalent have also shown positive sales development, with Universal expecting further alternatives to come onto the market.

"We are testing subscription models, advertising-funded models... We are trying everything at the moment as we want the consumer to decide how music should be consumed."

Rival firm EMI has also reported that digital revenues are on the increase. Stefan Blom at EMI forecasts that digital revenues will account for around 20 percent of sales in 2010.

"But I want to underline, that when we talk about streaming it is not only Spotify. There are in fact other up and coming services, and YouTube also accounts for a significant proportion of listeners and watchers, Blom said.

Stefan Blom at the same time pointed out that Spotify is starting to become a very important income source for the sector, thanks to the continual increase in the number of paying users.

"It is growing month by month. This means that future prospects are very good, for us and for the artists," he said.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

14:00 May 28, 2010 by DAVID T
Good news at last for the industry
17:06 May 28, 2010 by cblanquer
Spotify, iTunes, etc. these sound to me as artificial needs converted into a big business ?

Is it really so necessary to hang the last hit to one's ears to feel happy ?

I would rather be glad if Swedish geniouses should focus on more added value activities. But money makes the world go round.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Sweden 'fails to help well-educated foreigners'

Sweden 'fails to help well-educated foreigners'

The white-collar union Saco has lambasted Sweden's Employment Agency for its failure to help well-educated, foreign-born job seekers, whose unemployment rate is more than three times the average for people born in Sweden. READ () »

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find jobs, new figures show, leading some observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »

Riksbank unveils new board members

Riksbank unveils new board members

Sweden's central bank has appointed two new board members plucked from banking and academia to replace two outgoing members, one of whom was an outspoken critic of the Riksbank's commitment to the government's inflation goal. READ () »

350 jobs lost as Ericsson shuts Swedish factory

350 jobs lost as Ericsson shuts Swedish factory

Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has buckled under the pressure of European competition and will turn off the switch on a cable production plant in Sweden, leaving 350 employees without jobs. READ () »

Sweden has 'lower tax burden' than Senegal

Sweden has 'lower tax burden' than Senegal

While Sweden has a reputation for having one of the most painful tax bills in the world, a new report ranks Sweden 20th when comparing the tax burden on salaries when social security payments and salary brackets are taken into account. READ () »

Ericsson probed over suspected bribes

Ericsson probed over suspected bribes

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson is suspected of having bribed ministers in Romania in connection with being awarded a contract for the country's emergency number and is now under investigation in the United States. READ () »

Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump

Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump

Sweden's largest business confederation has gone out guns blazing, criticizing politicians for not facing up to the challenges of "a lost year for Swedish exports" in 2012. READ () »

'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'

'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'

A Stockholm hospital saved from closure by private health care providers has been hailed by the Economist as one of modern's Sweden public-private success stories. READ () »

H&M mulls production in South America and Africa

H&M mulls production in South America and Africa

Swedish clothing giant H&M is looking into the possibility of sourcing its production to South America, Central America, and even Africa, chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said on Monday. READ () »

Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines

Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines

Gas pipeline firm Nord Stream will hold an information meeting on the Baltic island of Gotland on Monday to introduce a proposal to extend its controversial gas pipeline project. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
23/05 301751
Stockholm
23/05 Account Executive
Sverige
23/05 Account Executive/Office Manager
Toolbox Marketing
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 Accounting Manager (m/f)
Stockholm
23/05 Application Owner AX
Net Entertainment
Stockholm
23/05 Area sales Manager
Gemalto
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 Baxter is recruiting an HR Adviser, temp position 6-12 months
Experis Sverige
STHM
23/05 BI Solution Unit Lead
Sverige
23/05 Country Manager High Performance Door Solutions business area
Halmstad
23/05 E.ON are looking for a Regional Category Manager Elnät
Experis Sverige
SKÅ

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com