• Spotify was obliged to delete the complete Bollywood songs.
• Zee Music also severed connections with the music app.
• Spotify removes songs after the renewal of the agreement fails.

Following the failure of discussions to renew their licencing deal last week, the music streaming service Spotify was obliged to delete the complete collection of Bollywood songs from Zee Music Company. Social media has been used by users and followers of Bollywood music to express their discontent with the decision. Some users have even threatened to revoke their app subscriptions.

Zee Music also severed connections with the music app Gaana in 2022 by declining to extend its licencing arrangement with it. Gaana switched to being a subscription-only service a few months later.

The music app stated in a statement that “Spotify and Zee Music have been unable to reach a licensing agreement. Throughout these negotiations, Spotify has tried to find creative ways to strike a deal with Zee Music and will continue our good faith negotiations in hopes of finding a mutually agreeable solution soon.”

On its website, the music app makes it clear that it cannot give users access to all of the world’s music and podcasts. It strikes licencing agreements with publishers and rights holders so that their music recordings can be played online, much like the streaming service Netflix does.

Supporters criticised the action on Twitter. What do they have against Daaru Desi and Kala Chashma, a user asked, “is spotify beefing with bollywood why are they taking off almost all the songs what do they have against daaru desi and kala chashma.” “Nagada Sang Dhol and a whole litany of Bollywood songs were removed from Spotify and my week is ruined.”   complained another user. “Another reminder that while streaming can be great and has an important role, it should NEVER be regarded as a replacement for a physical collection #Spotify #Bollywood.  while another user said the same to other music enthusiasts. Another Twitter user commented, “spotify removing all my bollywood bangers is a crime,”

Tracks like Makhna from Drive (2019), Zaalima from Raees (2017), and Maiyya Mainu from Jersey (2022) have all been taken out. Also removed were the soundtracks for the period drama Kalank (2019), the award-winning Gully Boy (2019), and the romantic comedy Veere Di Wedding (2018).

On YouTube, Zee Music has 93.6 million subscribers. T-Series, which has 239 million YouTube subscribers, finishes in second place.

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