Spotify is reportedly planning to launch its services in India over the next six months. The world’s largest music streaming service said to have secured deals with many of the major rights holders in India over the past few months, reported Variety, as per people familiar with the Spotify’s plan.
According to report, Spotify’s talks of buying an Indian competitor have failed to materialize, so now the company will enter the market on its own within six months. To get users onboard in India, Spotify is said to offer an extended free trial period, longer than the 30 days of full-access, than what it gives users in Vietnam and South Africa.
It’s not the first time we are hearing about Spotify’s India debut, a report earlier this year in March had confirmed that CEO Daniel Ek in an investors day presentation told India launch plans to partners. He reportedly said, “We are working on launching in some of the biggest markets in the world, including India, Russia, and Africa which has a very rich musical culture.”
The company has already opened an office in Mumbai and reportedly hired 300 people.
“Indeed, office bearers doing the ground work out of a space in the Bandra Kurla Complex business district have been buzzing about a launch that could come as soon as the next six months, according to local insiders,” noted Variety.
Bloomberg has reported that Spotify’s India campaign has faced some challenges, and there were disputes over music rights initially. But Bhushan Kumar, the managing director of record label T-Series, has now confirmed that T-Series is working with Spotify. “Our deal with them is on,” he said in an interview.
