Popular music streaming service Spotify has secured a multi-year licence deal with Merlin Entertainments plc (LON:MERL).
Spotify - which is said to be considering a US stock market listing - said the agreement extends on its nine-year partnership with Merlin, a digital rights agency for the independent label sector.
Under the deal, Merlin’s artists will be able to release new albums to Spotify’s paying users first before free users can access the tracks.
Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek said: "Indie music has been a huge part of our success since day one & I am super happy to say we have a new, multi-year deal with Merlin."
Earlier this month Spotify announced a similar licensing agreement with Universal.
Spotify is yet to report a profit and it invests in expanding its brand globally. It is understood Spotify has delayed an initial public offering until 2018 to allow it more time to build up a better balance sheet, TechCrunch reported, citing sources.
Merlin represents indie label Beggars Group, whose artists include Radiohead, and Domino Records, which manages the Arctic Monkeys. It also owns Legoland and Alton Towers themeparks in the UK.