WMG boss Edgar Bronfman certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest with his comments on free streaming services this week. Spotify issued a statement (via Twitter) saying that “To be clear WMG is not pulling out of Spotify. Media is taking things out of context”. But actually, that’s only half true. Here’s the specific Bronfman quote: “Free streaming services are clearly not net positive for the industry. And as far as Warner Music’s concerned will not be licensed. So this sort of get all the music you want for free and then we maybe we can – with a few bells and whistles move you to a premium price strategy is not the kind of approach to business that we will be supporting in the future.”. WMG might not be pulling its catalogue from Spotify now, but it’s not taking anything out of context to wonder what will happen the next time the two companies’ licensing deal is up for renegotiation. WMG Earnings Call Transcript
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