Spotify signs up UMG

GAME CHANGER? Ready for some Spotify this summer? The wildly successful European streaming service has signed a U.S. distribution deal with UMG, All Things D’s Peter Kafka reported, meaning it now has U.S. deals in place with three of the Big Four. Spotify still doesn’t have a deal with Warner Music, but people familiar with discussions are optimistic a deal will get done. So the two-year ordeal of Daniel Ek may have a happy ending, though his operation has some competition in Rdio, Rhapsody and other sub services, as well as new high-profile players in the digital space like Apple’s iCloud/iTunes Match and cloud/locker services from Amazon and Google. Even if WMG signs next week, it will likely take Spotify some time to ramp up a marketing campaign and other elements it would need for a U.S. launch. Kafka doesn’t expect to see anything in the States till July at the earliest. People familiar with the company’s plans say it would likely charge around $10 a month for the unlimited premium service. (6/11a)