Spotify US Plans Perk With Talk Of Sony Music Deal

Spotify's fortunes in the US may have experienced a sudden turnaround, with reports from within the music industry that the streaming music service is "days away" from signing a deal with Sony Music, and has the promised support of another. According to the NYPost's music exec tipster, "Spotify is launching in the US, for sure... They've got the deals now."

Earlier this month, reports suggested that labels were demanding sizeable upfront payments, concerned that Spotify would fail to secure sufficient premium subscribers – who pay a monthly fee so as to avoid listening to adverts and to have access to higher-bitrate tracks – and thus not make as much money as paid-download alternatives like iTunes. Sources claimed that Spotify was considering axing US expansion plans, rather than risk their imminent profitability in the European market.

The company has declined to comment on any specific deals that may be underway, though says that "negotiations are progressing well." Spotify had originally intended to launch in the US in 2009, then missed their next self-imposed 2010 deadline.