Google Reportedly Closer To Launching Music Subscription Services
March 6, 2013
Reports of Google/YouTube launching a subscription service to compete with the likes of Pandora and Spotify are heating up. According to Fortune, the new service already has its own negotiating team and operating unit, but will also overlap with some new music features on the Google Play platform. Essentially Google is planning two new music services: one via YouTube and the other via Android/Google Play.
Sources tell Fortune that Google Play for Android will be a digital locker for music, but the YouTube service will be free. Both services could be adding a subscription fee that will unlock additional features. This will likely mean ad-free access to the YouTube streaming service.
According to both Fortune and Billboard.biz, Warner Music Group has already signed a licensing deal with Google for the new services. WMG is the first label to commit to Google's plans, while Billboard reports Universal Music, Sony Music and other labels are still in negotiations.