Spotify reportedly looking to buy SoundCloud

[Ezekiel 23:20–21]

Spotify reportedly looking to buy SoundCloud
KEN YEUNG SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 2:02 PM

Spotify is reportedly holding advanced talks with SoundCloud about a possible acquisition. The exact reason remains unknown, but one possibility is an effort by Spotify to remain one step ahead of Apple Music, which has risen in popularity since its launch out of beta earlier this year.

First reported by the Financial Times, the move would pair together two of the most used music services out today. This month, Spotify announced it had hit 40 million paying subscribers (100 million total listeners), which trumps Apple Music’s 17 million users — but it’s only been around for a year, much less time than Spotify.

With the addition of SoundCloud, Spotify could get a service with social capabilities, something it’s lacking. In addition, there’s also the inclusion of additional media such as podcasts, videos, and more. Of course, with rumors of Spotify planning an initial public offering next year, bringing on board a company with more capabilities could show investors the potential of the music service to compete against those with a more sizable war chest.

At our MobileBeat conference, Spotify’s lead on bots and A.I., Brendan O’Driscoll, talked about his goal of creating a “music concierge” that would surface music that matches your mood and preference. It’s wishful thinking, but the intelligence that SoundCloud may possess could help Spotify evolve from a music service to something much more.

Spotify has raised $1.56 billion in venture capital, including $1 billion in debt financing in March. SoundCloud has received more than $193 million.

We’ve reached out to both Spotify and SoundCloud for comment.

Updated at 4:12 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday: Both Spotify and SoundCloud have declined to comment.

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[Caviar]

I hope Spotify is able to expand their A.I capabilities by creating smarter playlists. They already have the best in the business.

[Deleted]

I'm all for spotify expanding. I have the premium free for 2 years with my cell phone and I love it.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

Sept 29, 2016 6:05:56 GMT -5 Caviar said:

I hope Spotify is able to expand their A.I capabilities by creating smarter playlists. They already have the best in the business.

Their running playlists that match the bpm of the music to your pace is kinda wonderful.

[Deleted]

I hope Soundcloud doesn't go out of business.

[Caviar]

Sept 29, 2016 7:42:59 GMT -5 YourFaveIsAFlop said:

Sept 29, 2016 6:05:56 GMT -5 Caviar said:

I hope Spotify is able to expand their A.I capabilities by creating smarter playlists. They already have the best in the business.

Their running playlists that match the bpm of the music to your pace is kinda wonderful.

Yeah I used it last summer and did the EDM playlist.

[Rican@]

I love Spotify, been with them for over 2 years too and I'm thinking about the family deal too. Anyway, I need for them to get Anita Baker back on their playlist (along with Prince). I don't want to deal with Apple as I have everything Apple related and a break from them mfs is always needed.

Spotify, bring back Anita. UGH!

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2016 11:28:29 GMT -5 Rican@ said:

I love Spotify, been with them for over 2 years too and I'm thinking about the family deal too. Anyway, I need for them to get Anita Baker back on their playlist (along with Prince). I don't want to deal with Apple as I have everything Apple related and a break from them mfs is always needed.

Spotify, bring back Anita. UGH!

Me neither. I really hate Apple Music so much.

[Caviar]

Spotify is way better as a streaming service than Apple Music. The interface and playlists are top notch but the downside is they don't "pay for play" with exclusives. If they don't have an album/artist then I'm not going to bother to look elsewhere or I'll just buy that particular album.

I've discovered many artists thru Spotify but my greatest find was Jarryd James's album High when "Can't Help It" popped up on my Discover Weekly playlist. I loved it so much I went and bought it from iTunes. Same for Zhu's album! I guess everyone wins eventually.

[Rican@]

Yes, that Discover Weekly playlist is one of the best concepts that Spotify came up with. Love it. Even though, there are hit and miss with it at times where I can love the whole playlist or just one or two songs. I have found a few songs too that I have added to my other playlists. Just love it.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

Release Radar is one of my favorites too. They give you a Playlist of new releases from artists you've listened to before

[Caviar]

Sept 30, 2016 5:56:04 GMT -5 YourFaveIsAFlop said:

Release Radar is one of my favorites too. They give you a Playlist of new releases from artists you've listened to before

Yeah it's more in line with my tastes than Discover Weekly. Spotify released a few feature called Daily Mix that continually plays music based on your listening history. Depending on your broad your taste is you can get between 1-6 personalized mixes. I haven't tried it yet though.

www.theverge.com/2016/9/27/13068196/spotify-daily-mix-discovery-personalization

[allow that]

The ONLY thing stopping me from fully converting to Spotify as a paid member/moving away from mp3's is the fact that they don't have many obscure remixes that I love and want to to download. If Soundcloud's library is synched into Spotify, it'll be a game changer for me. I just hope labels don't come clamping down on the artist freedom (read: unofficial remixes) that Soundcloud currently offers, because that would be a sad day for the musical consumer and upcoming artists alike.

[Linnethia Monique]

Sept 30, 2016 6:58:00 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Sept 30, 2016 5:56:04 GMT -5 YourFaveIsAFlop said:

Release Radar is one of my favorites too. They give you a Playlist of new releases from artists you've listened to before

Yeah it's more in line with my tastes than Discover Weekly. Spotify released a few feature called Daily Mix that continually plays music based on your listening history. Depending on your broad your taste is you can get between 1-6 personalized mixes. I haven't tried it yet though.

www.theverge.com/2016/9/27/13068196/spotify-daily-mix-discovery-personalization

I using the Daily Mix right now and it's on point! It gave me 5 different mixes with my Alternative/Rock, Country/Americana/Folk, Alt-R&B/Pop, Popular Artists, and another with a lot of experimental genres that I listen to and it flows nicely.

[Rican@]

I like the Daily Mix. I currently have three mixes right now. I don't expect too much from it as I listen to a certain sound at this point of my life. Just need to be simple and effective.