Spotify just dropped another twist in the game. The streaming giant hiked prices in markets outside North America. This happened soon after the company revealed a rough Q2. Its revenue per Premium user fell, and losses mounted. Now, fees rise in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific.
The move skips North America. US growth even slowed down last quarter. Spotify confirmed that subscribers in many regions will soon get an email. This note explains how the changes will impact their subscriptions. In one unnamed European country, the rate jumped from €10.99 to €11.99 per month. Earlier this year, similar hikes hit European hotspots like the Benelux and France.
Moreover, social media lights up with reactions. Fans are not too happy. Some threaten to ditch their subs or jump ship to other services. Many point out that Spotify still lacks high-resolution audio—a feature that rivals like Apple Music offer without extra cost. India, known for its fast-growing yet challenging market, is also feeling the heat. Here, the price will jump 17% for Individual plans and 28% for Family plans.
Despite the backlash, Spotify’s share price bounced back, rising 6% on the NYSE. With 207 million subscribers outside North America, Spotify aims to recover its groove. The beat goes on, but fans now must weigh their loyalty against rising costs.
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Music In Africa
Spotify, Price Hike, Global Backlash, Q2 Performance, Premium User Revenue, Regional Pricing, North America Exclusion, European Pricing, India Subscription Increase, Social Media Reaction, Streaming Competition, Share Price Recovery
