It looks like Taylor Swift may well never, ever get back together with Spotify.
The pop star, who last released a studio album in October 2014 and whose official website lists no concerts in the foreseeable future, is taking steps to launch a music-streaming service, TMZ reported Wednesday.
Taylor’s filed docs giving her the right to brand a website ’featuring non-downloadable multi-media content in the nature of audio recordings.’ Sounds like a streaming service to us,” said TMZ. “She wants to call the website ’Swifties.’”
In November, Ms. Swift launched a video channel on AT&T, which is now also available through the company’s DirecTV satellite service and DirecTV Now streaming-video service.
Ms. Swift removed her entire music catalog from the Spotify streaming service on Nov. 3, 2014, after months of feuding with the Swedish company over its payment of royalties and song selection. One complain Ms. Swift had was the company refused to cordon off her music from users of Spotify’s ad-supported free service, permitting only paying customers to stream her works.
The singer’s move to launch her own service comes as other artists long reticent to embrace streaming have joined major platforms in the industry. Country singer Garth Brooks last October signed a deal to bring his discography to Amazon Music Unlimited. Previously he had sold his music digitally through his own Ghost Tunes website.
In February, Spotify and various other streaming services gained access to Prince’s music catalog. When he was living, the pop star zealously guarded the rights to his music, but hefty tax bills coming due on the his estate reportedly spurred the change.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.