SoundCloud targets Spotify & Apple with subscription music service
The competitive subscription streaming music sector has just got a little bit more congested following a decision by SoundCloud to launch a $9.99 per month offer with a catalogue of 125m tracks.
Initially launching in the US only the new service will seek to get one over on established rivals by dint of the sheer size of its catalogue, some four times greater than that offered by Apple Music and Spotify.
SoundCloud co-founder Eric Wahlforss told the Guardian: “We’re going to have over 125m tracks on the platform– a lot of emerging and indie artists, major artists and also DJs, remixers and mash-ups – and another bunch of millions of tracks coming straight from the major labels.”
Previously SoundCloud offered tracks free of use under "safe harbour" legislation which enables it to make use of content free of charge so long as it removes copyrighted material after being notified by rightsholders.
Following two years of tortuous negotiations SoundCloud has now agreed terms with Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music as well as indie-label licensing agency Merlin.