Hi-Res streaming and download service Qobuz will launch in the US in ‘early 2019’.
Ahead of an official US launch date announcement, the company says that it has opened a US HQ in New York and secured exclusive editorial content.
In July, the company announced that it had hired three well-known music executives, including US MD Dan Mackta, to lead its US launch.
At launch, Qobuz will be available on all Mac, iOS, Android and Windows operating systems.
Founded in 2007, Qobuz is a Paris-based streaming and download service that’s currently live in 11 European markets.
It offers more than 40-million ‘CD-quality’ tracks and over 2 million hi-res tracks up to 24-bit resolution.
Qobuz says that it’s already secured a multi-million track Hi-Res catalog ahead of launch.
A beta version of Qobuz is currently being tested in the US prior to its official launch.
The company will offer four different subscription tiers for US subscribers:
The Sublime+ tier will cost $299.99/year, which gets you full Hi-Res streaming and substantial (40-60%) discounts on purchases from the Qobuz Hi-Res (up to 24-bit) download store.
The Studio tier costs $24.99/month or $249.99 annually for unlimited Hi-Res streaming.
The company’s Hi-Fi streaming tier costs $19.99/month or $199.9 annually for 16-bit CD quality.
Lastly, the Premium tier will cost $9.99/month for 320 kbps MP3 quality streaming ($99.99 annually).
Warner Music France exec Yann Miossec joined the firm as CEO in April.
That same month the company told MBW it would consider filing for an IPO over the next two years.Music Business Worldwide
