Overview
- The Financial Times reports Spotify is preparing a U.S. subscription price hike in the first quarter of 2026, and the company has not confirmed the timing or new price.
- It would be the first U.S. increase since July 2024, with the individual plan now $11.99 per month, $1 above Apple Music.
- Major record labels have pressed streaming platforms to lift fees, saying prices trail inflation and remain low compared with video services like Netflix.
- Analysts estimate a $1 monthly rise could add roughly $500 million in annual revenue, while Deutsche Bank says uncertainty over timing has weighed on sentiment.
- The pricing plan tracks with Spotify’s leadership handoff early next year as Daniel Ek moves to executive chair and Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström become co-CEOs.