Adele absence on Spotify due to Premium-only demands
updated 04:35 pm EST, Thu February 16, 2012
Spotify refused to split up catalog for Adele
Spotify doesn't have Adele's Grammy-winning album, 21, available to its non-paying subscribers because the artist's reps didn't want the songs available to those who aren't paying a subscription fee. The streaming music service does offer the option to listen to all of its content if they agree to ads instead of paying a monthly fee. Spotify didn't want to split up the catalog, sources told FastCompany.
Adele's latest album is on Rhapsody, however, which doesn't have an ad-supported option. Adele's model mimics that of Coldplay, who only released its Mylo Xyloto album on Spotify months after pay-per-title stores had access in order to optimize profits.
Spotify itself didn't officially comment on this matter, but its actions demonstrate that it stands behind its free, ad-supported business as it eventually results in users converting to the paid subscription, or its revenue from ads is satisfactory. The service touts a 20 percent conversion rate from free to paid.
