Spotify has become synonymous with music listening. It has completely changed the way that we consume music digitally. Gone are the days of downloading songs for 99 cents (or more!) and then loading them one by one onto our devices. Once Spotify came up with the streaming model, everything changed forever.
Although some people feel that they like to “own” their music with a physical copy (remember CDs??) or even with digital copies saved onto their music library, most people have come to terms with the ease and convenience that streaming devices offer.
It’s hard for people who have been using Spotify for years to remember life without it. It’s even more difficult to remember that many countries do not even have access to the platform at all. However, in India, that’s all about to change.
Spotify officially launched in India and is hoping to make its mark despite the solid competition that exists. Other music streaming platforms have existed for some time India, including Apple Music, Gaana, Saavn, and Google Play. Only time will really if Spotify will be able to disrupt the scene and take over.
Meanwhile, Spotify India’s managing director Amarjit Singh Batra shares some insight about music in India: “Indians love music. It’s an inherent part of our lifestyle and culture, whether we pray, work, or relax. The mobile internet revolution has led to a rapid rise in the number of connected Indians, making music streaming the preferred way to enjoy music here.”
What about the cost? Well, Spotify Premium will set users back 119 rupees ( about$1.68) per month. This price point is rather comparable to the already existing streaming platforms in India.
Additionally, Spotify plans to cater to the Indian market by curating playlists by Indian music experts. “City playlists” will implement algorithms to track trending music in the country’s cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.