Spotify may be preparing new subscriptions

Spotify and Warner Music Group have signed a new multi-year deal covering publishing and music recordings, aiming to “shape the future of audiovisual streaming.” Spotify said in a statement that the agreement will expand the streaming platform’s catalog of audio and visual content and provide “new paid subscription tiers.”

The companies did not disclose financial details of the deal, nor how many years it will last. No details were included about future subscription offerings, but they could likely include a premium streaming tier that could finally include lossless audio, which Spotify announced back in 2021. Tidal and Deezer are more appealing to users in this regard, so it's surprising that Spotify hasn't yet managed to integrate HiFi audio.

The speculation is fueled by a similar deal Spotify signed with Universal Music Group (UMG) in January. The deal involves additional subscription tiers based on UMG’s “Streaming 2.0” principles, which envision users paying “Super-Premium” subscriptions for features like higher-quality audio. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek recently mentioned that “the higher-tier Premium subscription that we’ve been discussing” is expected to launch this year, and that Spotify will be looking for opportunities to introduce new music experiences.

“2025 is a year of accelerated growth for Spotify, and our partners at Warner Music Group are equally committed to rapid innovation and continued investment in our leading music offering,” Ek said in announcing the deal. “Together, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible for listeners around the world and increasing the appeal of paid music subscriptions, while supporting artists and songwriters.”

The new deal also includes a direct licensing model with Warner Chappell Music, which is expected to build on the company's existing royalty payment platform. The latter is said to be the least competitive among rivals YouTube Music, Amazon Music and Apple Music, according to unofficial data. Authors have also repeatedly criticized Spotify in the past for its low payouts.

An official date for the arrival of new features and subscriptions is not yet known.