Neil Freiman

individual premium subscription by $1 from $11.99 a month to $12.99 starting next billing date.

Duo subscriptions are getting an even bigger bump from $16.99 to $18.99 and family plans will go from $19.99 to $21.99.

It's Spotify's third price increase since 2023 after spending 12 years not budging its subscription cost at all.

In its announcement, Spotify said, "...occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists."

Analysts think Spotify has lots of flexibility to raise prices given how relatively low they are compared to other subscriptions and the fact that you're still going to be paying just $13 to access the entire history of recorded music.

Surveys have consistently shown users would be willing to pay more for the service.

But Spotify has always been lower than the video streaming.

And I think that's why they have a lot more pricing power.

And analysts have been telling them for years to jack up their prices.

Like, what are you doing not staying put for 12 years?

I guess it was just a growth mechanism, which actually succeeded.

But now, yeah, three price hikes since 2023.

You're going to be paying more for Spotify.

But I think people generally see it as a much better bargain than something like Netflix or HBO Max, where you're playing, you know, close to $20 a month.

Okay, but what do the party school rankings say?

I think we're still doing OK on that front.

Who's got the better tailgates?

I think that's a little bit more important than who produces the most scientific research.

But no, the United States and China are going in different directions in pulling in people to study at their higher educational institutions.

The number of international students arriving in the U.S.