Spotify's planned Super-Premium tier faces potential delays due to an ongoing dispute with music publishers, particularly regarding its remix and mashup features. The streaming giant's expansion plans have encountered resistance from the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) over licensing concerns.


The conflict centers on two key issues:

1. Bundling Controversy

• Spotify's bundling practices are generating significant royalty savings
• Publishers and songwriters are pushing back against these practices
• The NMPA has issued thousands of takedown notices targeting unauthorized use of protected works in podcasts

2. Remix Feature Concerns

• NMPA warned Spotify in May 2024 about launching remix features without proper licensing
• The planned feature would allow subscribers to speed up, mix, and edit songs
• Major publishers are moving toward direct licensing deals, but smaller publishers may hold out for better terms

The Super-Premium tier, previously known as Supremium, Deluxe, or Music Pro, has gained strategic importance in 2025 as Spotify seeks to generate more revenue from dedicated fans in established markets showing slower growth.

While two major publishing companies have already moved toward direct licensing agreements, with Sony Music expected to follow, independent publishers maintain leverage in negotiations due to their valuable catalogs. DIY distributors have already begun updating contracts to include expanded remix and mashup permissions.

Spotify reportedly plans to roll out Super-Premium features gradually rather than launching everything at once, suggesting a measured approach to addressing these licensing challenges.

The outcome of this dispute could significantly impact the timeline and feature set of Spotify's Super-Premium tier, particularly its promised remix and AI-powered mashup capabilities.

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