The fact people can't even admit that illegally downloading music is stealing no matter how may reasons and justifications you throw at it

I mean, I really don't care what someone does to acquire music. Good for them. But the borderline delusion around it is kinda silly, and it really does come down to just "I don't want to pay," regardless of what it's for (I don't want to pay for a new artist's song, I don't want to pay for music in general, etc.), and it definitely doesn't make the argument for free streaming stronger.

As for what's best financially, it's impossible to know without seeing the actual books. Chances are what Spotify wants is that SOME users upgrade. For example, I can totally buy the idea of at least 10-15% upgrading, probably more. And considering how little freemium makes for them, it's possible losing every other person but that 10-15% to pirating would STILL end in a net profit. It's not about how many people you reach, it's about how much money you make. I'd imagine Premium makes WELL over 100% more than Fremium does, so it probably is more profitable to do this and hope some upgrade

I use iTunes, so don't care either way

Ok. Where is the outrage? The drags?

Y'all are going to have to pay the same amount as a basic Tidal plan, but with Tidal you would actually be getting MORE. And I'm not advertising for Tidal because I have premium Spotify. So my view point isn't bias at all. People just hate Tidal out of spite for the artists connected.

Anyway, it will be fun to watch what happens IF Spotify does discontinue it's freemium service.

If I had a gun to my head I'd pick Tidal tbh

good, we need to break the culture of being thinking music is something they deserve to access for for free

This is actually in part from pressure from Apple

Well I'm certainly not paying so they can either stay the way they are or I'm back to my... other options

and then people wonder why the economy is ****ed up

Spotify's said tons of times that they won't be changing the free subscription. They are trying to make free accounts into premium from that service.

I can never understand how a music fan can be satisfied with using Youtube as a music listening platform with its LQ sounding mess. It makes sense to just go on youtube to check on some music quickly but to use it as a regular streaming service because you can't afford a few dollars a month?

Well.... so much for "Tidal's impact"

labels are stupid even if it isnt true, i get freemium is bad but streaming counts now for the charts so why would they want to get rid of freemium anyways and get people to illegally download again? im so glad it isnt true

oh darn it :/ well I can sock up 10$ a month I suppose. I just recently got spotify with the whole tidal mess going on and i loved it. commercials and all lol! oh well. 10$ can be swiped away for music I suppose but imma need Taylor to start putting her music on it if im about to pay like that

Spotify debunked those rumors and said they are not getting rid of their business model so UPDATE or CLOSE this thread!

It's not really up to them whether or not they get rid of it, it's completely up to the labels.

TIDAL ha resurgence Too bad for you, thieves.

I'm not satisfied with it though, which is why I'll be very disappointed if this loss of freemium service on Spotify goes through, which it thankfully won't if the updated information is correct. I'm just saying that it's the effectively the only option I'll have left for free, legal music, so that's where I'll be headed if Spotify ever eliminates freemium.