We generally enjoy Tuesdays just because of all the new albums that pour forth into the market for us to consider. This Tuesday was especially excellent for many music-loving Canadians however: Spotify finally opened up streaming operations in the United States' northern neighbor (via The Hollywood Reporter).
For the most part, Spotify use will be the exact same as what Americans have been using since 2011. Users will be able to stream music from their desktop computers or mobile devices, either for free with commercials or by upgrading to a premium subscription for a monthly fee. If anything, Spotify needed Canada more than Canada needed it. Other streaming services such as Songza and Rdio have long been set up in the nation. Spotify was later to the punch due to testy contract negotiations with music licensing contracts from Canada.
One spot of emphasis that Spotify has pursued is to ensure that a high number of Canadian label bands, particularly those from French-speaking Quebec, will be represented on the service. Although the United States has plenty of small-label bands that can't be found on Canadian streaming services, the reverse is also true. That's why you need to download an entirely different version of iTunes if you want to download tracks by someone like pop-rock group Automat for example*. Spotify wanted to ensure that at least Canadians could get to at least music from within their own borders.
The announcement has been expected for some time now. Spotify sent out e-mails to Canadian citizens during August offering them a role in testing the product.
* = bitterness
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