Why do we expect mobile consumers to adopt Spotify premium when they can steam any song they want on YouTube mobile already? Without a subscription to Music Key? They can do the same on SoundCloud for that matter. Further these services pay a pittance to artists compared to Spotify. Why aren’t artists outraged?
A survey of music consumption habits by students at a public university indicates just how tough it is for Spotify. When asked which services they use to listen to music, clearly YouTube dominates. The not-fully-licensed SoundCloud is a respectable 4th. (Ed Note: And what’s the deal with 8tracks.com? This was not really on our radar until now. It was a write in but had it been included in survey it would have polled at nearly 10%.)
We can also objectively conclude that Beats Music Service is DEAD. Monty Python might phrase it this way:
“This streaming service is no more. It has ceased to be. It’s expired and gone to meet its maker. This is a late streaming service. It’s a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If it had not been purchased by Apple it would be pushing up the daisies. It’s rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-streaming service.”
The Trichordist 
Now how often do I disagree with my friends at the Trichordist? Could this be a first?
I know I’m one of the few that holds out hope or interest in the Apple/Beats/iTunes trifecta. but actually I like what I read and Apple does have a problem no one else has. The worlds most successful paid music download store. Now before you laugh and tell me paid downloads are, well, dead. I beg to differ. In decline yes, but there will be an audience for a few years at least.
You saw they hired the DJ from the BBC, a real, old school DJ; looks like they’re getting into the content business and may end up signing and developing talent. You know, the music business.
Call it a hunch, but by the end of the year Apple may have a very robust portfolio that could include home AUDIO entertainment systems and exclusive high profile release by BIG artists who would ordinarily window, but with Apple they could actually sell recordings. And that may be a viable option for artists who believe their recordings are worth something.
Anyway the mind reels and one can always hope. We’ve been at this too long to quit now.