• Sweden edition
Science & Technology

Spotify to set limits on free music streaming

Published: 14 Apr 11 13:19 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/33208/20110414/

Swedish music streaming service Spotify has announced plans to implement new limits on its free service in hopes of encouraging more users to pay for the services premium features.

"It’s vital that we continue offering an on-demand free service to you and millions more like you, but to make that possible we have to put some limits in place going forward," Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek wrote in a blog post.

The new limits, set to go into effect on May 1st, will limit users to six months of free, unrestricted access to Spotify's catalogue of songs.

After the six-month introductory period, users will be limited to ten hours of free listening per month, and will only be able to play any individual track a total of five times.

The changes have the greatest impact on heavy users who use Spotify's free service to discover new music, according to Ek, pointing out that such users currently listen to about 50 new tracks every month.

"The average user won’t reach the limit on plays for 7 out of 10 tracks, even after a year," said Ek, who went on to encourage users who may reach the new limits to consider moving over the Spotify's fee-based services, which won't be affected by the changes.

Ek said the restrictions on Spotify's free service were necessary to "continue making Spotify available to all in the long-term" but emphasised that the company nevertheless saw its free service as "vital".

Launched in in 2006, Spotify is one of the world's largest streaming websites boasting over one million paying users.

The service allows users to stream music to their computers for free in exchange for listening to advertising.

Users can also pay 49 or 99 kronor ($7.75 or $15.70) to gain ad-free access to the service.

The 99 kronor version allows users to listen to their playlists offline and to access their music through their mobile phones.

In his blog post, Ek also mentions "awesome new features" are in store for Spotify in the coming months as well as "exciting developments" to be revealed in within a few weeks, a possible reference to the long-rumoured launch of Spotify in the United States.

According to the TT news agency, Spotify's free service has been a stumbling block in the protracted negotiations involved with bringing Spotify to the US market.

The changes announced on Wednesday may help ease discussions, thus paving the way for Spotify to establish itself in the United States.

The Local/dl (news@thelocal.se)

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.

14:17 April 14, 2011 by StockholmSam
I pay 49kr per month for the middle level option and absolutely love it! Best investment I have made all year.
15:34 April 14, 2011 by tes85
restricting spotify - hypothesising an increase in illegal downloading
15:40 April 14, 2011 by sliver
Hmm...looks like its back to good old youtube.
18:18 April 14, 2011 by Mib
It's fair as someone has to pay the artist, albeit a small amount if you believe the reports. Spotify has reinvigorated my enthusiasm for music and has led me to several new artists, I may have never discovered without Spotify.

It's also a great way to listen to new albums to see if they're worth buying.

The response to pressing the button to play a track to hearing it is virtually instant at near CD quality is amazing. While there are other competitors outside Sweden, their streaming quality is inferior.

People will download illegally regardless of whether Spotify change their terms or not. If you're lazy like me, I would continue to use Spotify and not bother with the likes of Pirate Bay. However, I decided to sign-up and taken advantage of the local cache on the iPhone and laptop. There's also a mass of amazing playlists people share out. All in all a great service, which works really well.
21:37 April 14, 2011 by jacquelinee
Not a problem..there are lots of others with no restictions. They are only decreasing their own popularity.
22:56 April 14, 2011 by superturbo
Sure, go ahead. I don't use their lousy service nowadays anyway... There are quite a few better options out there.
15:35 April 15, 2011 by bo13do
freeee sms !!

http://www.talksms.com/cat/1.aspx/KG6H8

try it !
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Eurovision in Malmö
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö

Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö

Emmelie De Forest of Denmark takes over from Sweden's Loreen as the Eurovision Song Contest champion, capping a spectacle that kept Malmö and the rest of Europe cheering on Saturday night. READ () »

Eurovision in Malmö
Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final

Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final

The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest Final is live in Malmö, southern Sweden. The Local brings you all the latest news, reactions, and details surrounding Europe's biggest pop music spectacle. READ () »

Sweden beats Finland in hunt for hockey gold

Sweden will be playing for gold in the ice hockey World Championships after dispatching longstanding rivals and co-hosts Finland with a 3-0 win on Saturday. READ () »

Three shot in jewellery heist on busy street

Three shot in jewellery heist on busy street

Three people were wounded during an armed robbery on a jewellery store in Ängelholm, southern Sweden on Saturday, with the robbers escaping on a yellow moped. READ () »

County council admits to buying out 'bomb man'

County council admits to buying out 'bomb man'

The Sörmland County Council in central Sweden 'accidentally' hired a convicted criminal who had served a long prison sentence for threatening to blow up oil storage tanks and had to pay 1million kronor in severance pay to get rid of him. READ () »

Man wounded in schoolyard shooting

Panic broke out at a Gothenburg school on Friday evening as one man was wounded in a shooting which could be linked to a violent robbery that took place in the area on the same day. READ () »

Teen girl admits to Instagram 'slut-shaming'

Teen girl admits to Instagram 'slut-shaming'

A 15-year-old girl has admitted to setting up the Instagram account that caused hundreds of teenagers to riot in Gothenburg last year, but her 16-year-old friend has denied involvement. READ () »

Scandal ousts Stockholm economics school head

Scandal ousts Stockholm economics school head

The president of the Stockholm School of Economics, one of Sweden's most prestigious universities, has been forced out in response to a scandal over his hiring of a high-ranking official who'd been convicted of insider trading. READ () »

More Science & Technology

 

Find a new job in Sweden now
18/05 LCI Coordinator
Aker Advantage
Bærum/Tranby
18/05 Tender Lead Subsea 7656
Aker Advantage
Ågotnes
17/05 Account Executive - Sweden- Sofware Sales
Stockholm
17/05 Authorization Engineer
Västerås
17/05 Backend infrastructure Team Lead
Stockholm
17/05 Baxter Home Hemodialysis ? HHD Field Service Engineer
Baxter Medical AB
Östergötland

ALL JOBS »


 

 

Highlights
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Scenes from the Arctic Council meeting, Eurovision demonstrations, and Stockholm nightlife
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Janerik Henriksson/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision - Centre State: 'It won't be easy to win again': Robin Stjernberg
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
AP
SCIENCE & TECH »
Swedish friction experts unravel curling mystery
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Juanma Perez Rabasco
SOCIETY »
Swedish kids start daycare earlier: report
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Check out some snaps from Stockholm's bustling nightlife, and scenes from the Squvalp water carnival
Screenshot: Robinson's
SOCIETY »
Iron Maiden beer stopped over skull label concerns
David Shankbone/WikiCommons
NATIONAL »
US comedy star Amy Poehler to make Swedish TV series with her brother
WikiCommons
LIFESTYLE »
The Local Quiz: It's elementary: Water, water, all around
Facebook
SOCIETY »
'Sex scandal' minister bathes in viral toilet puppy love
Photo: Private
OPINION »
Swede of the Week Catta Neuding: 'Politics has no place on my theatre stage'
Flikr
SOCIETY »
Love columnist Emilia Millicent wonders if cyber stalking has become socially acceptable, because it's just too easy to do
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Illegal apartment rentals thrive in Stockholm flat crunch
Ben Grey/Flickr
SCIENCE & TECH »
Sweden 'second best' place to become a mum
YouTube
LIFESTYLE »
Video: Watch The Local's Oliver Gee get the Swedes to sing Abba music
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Abba museum opening ceremonies
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're heading to Stockholm's Lidingö to see inside a four-bedroom home
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?
Dixie Thomas Hughes
SPONSORED ARTICLE
US expat David V. Hughes on determination and discovery by design

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

13 May 22:40

Week 20 matches »

"Div5 v IF Olympia Farsta: 2-2 Having come back from 1-0 down then 2-1 down, 10-men Stripes earned a worthy point from todays fixture. Lascelles took charge in goal after the keeper was red-carded and made some vital saves and interceptions. Robbie G scored from a low over head kick and then a penalty goal by..." READ »

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
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