Spotify has signed an American distribution deal with Universal Music Group, the world's largest music label. The pact means that the streaming music company now has U.S. deals in place with three of the four largest labels, making it likely that the company will finally be able move across the Atlantic this summer.
The service still doesn't have a pact signed with Warner Music Group, but people familiar with discussions say the two sides are closer than they have been in the past, and are optimistic a deal will get done. It's possible that Spotify could open in the U.S. without Warner, but that would leave holes in the company's catalog. And that's a crummy way to introduce a service that CEO Daniel Ek has been promising to bring to the U.S. for two years.
Even if Warner signs next week, though, it will likely take Spotify some time to ramp up a marketing campaign and other elements it would need for a U.S. launch. I wouldn't count on seeing anything in the States till July at the earliest.
More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20070597-93/
The service still doesn't have a pact signed with Warner Music Group, but people familiar with discussions say the two sides are closer than they have been in the past, and are optimistic a deal will get done. It's possible that Spotify could open in the U.S. without Warner, but that would leave holes in the company's catalog. And that's a crummy way to introduce a service that CEO Daniel Ek has been promising to bring to the U.S. for two years.
Even if Warner signs next week, though, it will likely take Spotify some time to ramp up a marketing campaign and other elements it would need for a U.S. launch. I wouldn't count on seeing anything in the States till July at the earliest.
More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20070597-93/