Is India Next In Line For YouTube Music?

YouTube Music is a mobile app developed by YouTube; it provides a tailored interface for the service oriented towards music streaming, allowing users to browse through music videos on YouTube based on genres, playlists, and recommendations. The service also offers a premium tier, which enables ad-free playback, audio-only background playback, and downloading songs for offline playback. These subscription benefits are also offered to subscribers of Google Play Music and YouTube Premium. The app is available in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom the United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrm50KbvGnk The YouTube Music just recently also entered 4 countries in Europe - Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Rumors have that India could be next on the cards. Prices in the new locations for YouTube Music Premium and the YouTube Premium tier — which includes access to YouTube Originals series and films — tally with the rest of Europe at €9.99 and €11.99 respectively, reports Android Police. In Denmark, those prices are 99 and 119 kroner.

Next Market India?

YouTube has been on the lookout for many new hires in India.

A Manager, Music Content Partnerships role will be responsible for establishing relationships with artists and creators to secure partnerships in the region, and to “optimize potential opportunities”.

The ad suggests YouTube is keen to grow its bank of regional content from India — the successful applicant will be responsible for prioritizing “the acquisition and onboarding of new music content partners/artists and creators”.

Indian Music Streaming  Landscape

Google Play Music launched in India in 2017 — the users of which are said to be eventually transferred over to the new YouTube subscription service, starting from 2019 at the earliest.

Apple Music also exists in the region alongside local competitors Gaana, Saavn and Hungama.

Earlier in 2018, Amazon Prime Music expanded into India via a partnership with the country’s oldest music label, Saregama.

Meanwhile, Spotify is said to have hit a roadblock in its plans to launch in India, with major labels considering blocking new territorial licenses in response to concern over direct deals with artists.

The job advert joins more than 15 newly-created senior music roles at YouTube that MBW has spotted across territories such as the US, Latin America, Germany, Japan and Singapore.