Spotify has reportedly struck a deal with EMI Music, meaning the company has achieved the second step necessary for a US launch. Unsurprisingly, both EMI and Spotify declined to comment, according to All Things Digital.
EMI is one of the four major music labels, and so Spotify has now accomplished two quarters of its mission. Last month, the company signed deal with Sony Music Entertainment. The other two are Universal Music Group, the world's biggest label, and Warner Music Group.
Ideally, Spotify needs to sign both, but it definitely needs to get the former before even considering a launch in the US. The service is popular in Europe as it lets users stream music for free with advertisements, or pay a monthly fee to access the ad-free or mobile versions. Spotify will reportedly cost $10 per month in the US.
US labels have hesitated to support Spotify's model as they don't believe it can be profitable. Spotify saw a huge financial loss in 2009. The music-streaming company enjoyed revenues of £11.32 million, but endured distribution costs of £608,711, cost of sales equal to £18.82 million, and administrative expenses of £8.29 million. The result was an operating loss of £16.40 million, and a net loss of £16.66 million after taxation.
It will be tough for Spotify to compete in the US even if it manages to sign with the big four labels. In the US, there is competition from subscriptions offered by Microsoft, Rhapsody, Napster, Rdio, MOG, and Thumbplay. Spotify has had it much easier in Europe, where such a variety of subscription services simply doesn't exist. Furthermore, most music listeners in the US buy their music from Apple's iTunes or simply don't pay for music at all.