Spotify to raise prices in some markets, including Pakistan— report

The company logo of Swedish music streaming giant spotify is pictured on a smartphone in Berlin on January 23, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 03 April 2024
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Spotify to raise prices in some markets, including Pakistan— report

  • Spotify aims to raise prices by about $1 to $2 in five markets including UK, Australia, Pakistan, Bloomberg reports
  • Company is also going to introduce a new basic tier that will offer music and podcasts but not audiobooks, says report

Spotify Technology SA intends to raise prices on its plans by about $1 to $2 a month in five markets including the UK, Australia and Pakistan by the end of April, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of the Swedish music streaming service rose more than 5 percent in early trading.

Spotify will raise prices in the United States, its largest territory, later this year, according to the report.

The company is also going to introduce a new basic tier that will offer music and podcasts — but not audiobooks — for the current $11 monthly price of an individual premium plan, the report said.

The new basic tier is the first of what will be several new pricing options from Spotify, the report added.

Spotify declined to comment on the report, when contacted by Reuters.

CEO Daniel Ek said earlier in February the company has “plenty of levers to pull, including price increases,” adding the investments in the podcasts were a drag on the business in 2023.

On a monthly basis, the company offers premium plans including $10.99 for an individual, $14.99 for duo and $16.99 for family in the US, according to the company’s website.

Under the new pricing, individual plans will go up by about $1 a month, while family plans and so-called duo plans for couples will rise by $2, the Bloomberg report added.


India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott

Updated 05 February 2026
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India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott

  • Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka 
  • India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match

MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.

“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.

“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”

India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.

The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.

Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.

India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.

“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.

If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.

“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”

India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.

Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.

“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.