Google reportedly to launch Spotify-type music services

Google will reportedly unveil new Spotify-type music subscription services at its I/O conference today, having signed licensing deals with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment for YouTube and Google Play.

According to US tech site The Verge, citing music industry sources, Google will launch separate services for YouTube and the Google Play Android market.

Google was earlier this year reported to have struck a deal with Warner Music Group.

According to The New York Times, the Google Play service will not include a free tier. The Wall Street Journal meanwhile has reported that YouTube is attempting to obtain licences from music labels to launch a music video subscription service as well as for audio-only songs, but it is not clear where those talks stand.

YouTube last week launched a subscription channels pilot service with 53 partner networks.