There are new changes coming to TIDAL. 

The next year brings a lot of new updates to the music streaming platform as part of their ongoing mission to create a sustainable model for the music industry that puts artists and fans first. Some of these new features include a free streaming tier, "fan-centred royalties", and direct-to-artist payments. 

We're working to create a place that is better for artists and their fans. Because we love music. And the artists who create it. And the fans who crave it.

Today we're sharing progress on some new stuff: TIDAL Free, $10 HiFi, Direct Artist Payouts, and Fan-Centered Royalties. https://t.co/ovR3iR5eYT

— TIDAL (@TIDAL) November 17, 2021

SUBSCRIPTION TIERS

For the first time ever, TIDAL will be launching a free streaming tier exclusive to the US that will provide users ad-supported access to the platform's entire music catalogue with limited interruptions. In the past, TIDAL only had two paid tiers – Premium and Hi-Fi. 

In addition, the platform will be reworking its existing paid tiers into Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Plus to include an array of new features that help build and support the music ecosystem as a whole. 

TIDAL Hi-Fi is priced at USD 9.99 and will allow users interruption-free access to the platform's catalogue in Hi-Fi quality. Users will also be able to use the app's offline capabilities and several added features like Connect and My Activity. 

While TIDAL Hi-Fi Plus, which is priced at USD 19.99, includes everything from the Hi-Fi tier in addition to top-class immersive sound formats and early access to exclusive offers and features. This tier will also include the streaming platform's new fan-centric royalties model and direct-to-artists payment.

DIRECT-TO-ARTIST PAYMENTS

TIDAL is implementing a system that ensures that artists are paid fairly with a new monthly direct-to-artist payment model as part of the Hi-Fi Plus subscription tier. 

Each month, a percentage – "up to 10%," according to TIDAL COO Lior Tibon – of a user's Hi-Fi subscription fee will be directed towards their top streamed artists. This payout comes in addition to their streaming royalties.

With these new changes, TIDAL has partnered with Cash App, Square, and PayPal for seamless transactions for artists globally. The platform has also linked up with several leading music distributors to help ensure artists are able to receive their payments with ease.

FAN-CENTRIC ROYALTIES

TIDAL's new royalties system comes as the latest model in the music industry, allowing fans to have a more significant role in their favourite artists' success.  Monthly payouts will be made based on users' actual streaming activity, allowing artists to directly benefit from their biggest fans. 

These royalties will not be aggregated and will be directly paid to users' top streamed artists of the month. 

In a statement from the Head of TIDAL, Jess Dorgusker, he says, "We're building a platform that values art, artists, and culture, and for the first time opening the platform experience up to a wider group of fans with the free tier," said 

"TIDAL is also supporting artists with fairer earning terms and quicker payments, and fans are getting a better way to support their favourite artists. These offerings are the first step of many, and we're excited to collaborate with artists to evolve our tools to help them continue to grow and create on their own terms."