Removed my previous reply.

So far, because I use google home, nothing but spotify (*in this country) currently supports that (well plex does).  How can these other services, Tidal and Deezer expect to get anywhere if they don't support google.  It is rolled out in the US it seems, just not here.   WHY IS GOOGLE SUCH A PAIN!?!?!

I personally enjoy watching JR. Due to his popularity he does get access to some interesting guests. I have no problem with either his or his guests comments in as far as if I don't like what they have to say I can just stop watching. There have definitely been times that I disagree with either him or his guest. I just find it interesting to see how other people think eg those who have different views from my own.

Yes misinformation is a big issue of our times. But as we live in the era of the communication age anyone out there who has access to the internet has a voice - the power is (mostly) in our hands who we decide to watch (or listen). I believe one of the best ways to deal with misinformation is to improve access to the correct information so that people can make better informed decisions.

I'm subscribed to Spotify Family Premium and as the rest of the family are quite happy with it I doubt that we will be leaving anytime soon. I am however currently checking out Tidal (again) via a $2 3 month promotion. As a keen music lover I'm always interested in seeing what the competition has to offer. I do like the addition of the music videos that are available (although nothing compared to youtubes selection). They currently have 350k videos and is growing all the time. In addition the audio quality of these videos has significantly improved since the last time I checked Tidal out. 

I will no doubt check out Apple music next. But to date the main draw cards of Spotify for me are the UI, their algorithms, and even the search function is quite good. 

My choice of moving has nothing to do with Joe Rogan etc, Id been thinking about changing for a while and all these mentions of alternatives that are now being promoted or talked about due to the joe rogan issue made me finally look into it.
I only ever picked spotify because all those years ago it was the only thing to work on both echo devices, android, and offer a family plan. Over the years the price has crept slowly higher while adding little in the way of value for myself (other than perhaps adding lyrics recently). Like those Electricity price compares, I just want to make sure im not missing out on better value from a different service. Morals/ethics didnt play a part.

So far, my first noticeable difference has highlighted how dumb I am. Playing Youtube music (though I did sign up to You tube Premium for this whole conversation) I noticed that it sounded a lot better than spotify, yet all the comparisons I had seen mentioned Spotify could to 320k and Youtube would max at 256k quality. I looked up the settings for both apps to ensure they were both set to max quality when on wifi, yet it still seemed off. Blur - Song2, Pearl Jam - Of The Girl, sounded flatter on Spotify. After poking around I found I had 'normalise volume' enabled on the spotify app on my phone all these years. Removing that I couldnt tell a difference between the two (Im no audiophile). Via the PC they seemed the same but I listen on my phone more than anything.

Other than that, on Youtube Music after picking 5 artists when I first signed up (as it asks you to do) and playing about 3 songs, Youtube's auto generated playlist is considerably better than whatever Spotify has ever fed me, I enjoyed it from the first listen. I do wonder if that when selecting 'others liked/related' Spotify seems to pick just of the same genre, where Youtube music seems to pick what users are playing.....maybe thats where it won my vote....I could be wrong but thats how it seemed to me.

The android app for youtube is just as adequate, though the lyrics are flat, and only now do I realise I did enjoy the 'genius' info from spotify when playing a track. On PC I find the lyrics and related info give up loading after a few songs have played, at least on firefox anyway, I may give other browsers a try. Another, totally personal advantage, is my employer blocks spotify but doesnt block youtube music.

Falling asleep with a youtube playlist on without having my phone screen on, was great. And my wife is already raving about watching videos 'picture in picture' style. Ive yet to trial the free spotify account on the echo devices to see exactly what I lose, and Ive yet to cover the family use of podcasts via another app. So far, these additional benefits are only just enough to make me at least consider you tube premium over spotify, but time will tell as the month progresses.

I listened to two episodes of Rogan's podcast in the pre-pandemic times, and he reminded me of the genius of George Carlin. To paraphrase - Think how ignorant the average person is... and then realise that half of them are Joe Rogan's audience. The guy is painfully ignorant, and he is in the business of normalising ignorance.

Talking about moving off Spotify - does anyone know if YTM available on iOS? Might be a silly question but I guess with Apple you never know.

To answer my own question:

- YouTube Premium Family is $40 a month including iOS support ($30 a month without iOS)

- YouTube Music Premium Family is $30 a month including iOS support ($23 a month with iOS)

That's a bit too steep, to put it kindly.

The only podcast I have ever managed to get all the way through is The Ron Burgundy Podcast. 

I can only assume Joe Rogan is similar, but he's not doing comedy intentionally. 

I have never used Spotify but my kids do. Doesn't bother me at all that they have a large podcaster on there. I'll continue using Apple Music for my listening pleasure. 

Just got an email saying my YouTube Premium family plan price is increasing.....

Toyed with YT Music a while back but didn't like it as much as Spotify but and beginning to think having both is too much (when you add in Netflix, Apple TV....)

Handsomedan:

 

The only podcast I have ever managed to get all the way through is The Ron Burgundy Podcast. 

 

I can only assume Joe Rogan is similar, but he's not doing comedy intentionally. 

 

I have never used Spotify but my kids do. Doesn't bother me at all that they have a large podcaster on there. I'll continue using Apple Music for my listening pleasure. 

 

I used to listen to Rogan on Apple Podcasts.  He seemed to disappear.  I guess that's because he is now on Spotify.  TBH, I didn't even know Spotify did podcasts.  Their interface is so clunky I couldn't imagine using it for podcasts.  Back to Rogan: He does long format interviews/discussions with noteworthy people.  They can be interesting but sometimes he tries a bit too hard to be cool and chill and that aspect can get irksome.  I wouldn't change platforms to follow him.

Most people, including Joe Rogan shouldn't be publishing about COVID from a health/science aspect, because they don't understand the science.

huckster:

Just got an email saying my YouTube Premium family plan price is increasing.....

Toyed with YT Music a while back but didn't like it as much as Spotify but and beginning to think having both is too much (when you add in Netflix, Apple TV....)

Kookoo: Deezer family plan is $17.99 but I don't see anywhere if it's USD or NZD.
Does anyone have Deezer? What is it costing you?

$12.99 for a single user NZD is what I pay.

They do actually have regional pricing so what you see is pretty much what you would pay.

Well after all that effort, I now have two emails next to each other in my inbox. the first saying when my 30 day trial ends ill pay $23.99 a month, and the latest saying that my premium family plan will be updated on the next cycle to $29.99
So I had been questioning if the loss of spotify features but the gain of youtube features was worth paying a few dollars more per month than what I currently pay for Spotify ......... that is now $10 more per month over Spotify......I can already state that, no....it isnt worth that in its current state.

I guess next will be to trial Amazon Music/Deezer/Tidal.

edited for typos

myndlyz:

huckster:

 

Just got an email saying my YouTube Premium family plan price is increasing.....

Toyed with YT Music a while back but didn't like it as much as Spotify but and beginning to think having both is too much (when you add in Netflix, Apple TV....)

 

Yeah I just saw my email too. Going up from $23.99 to $29.99

Wow, that’s a big increase. If they increase mine, I’ll be off to Apple Music.

I just stick with YTM as get discounted rate, and can’t get it back if leave. Apple is offering two months free at moment so I’m wondering if to take it up to see if can hear any sound difference. Apple increased quality last year?

Mine says its increasing to $17.99. Currently paying $15.99

I watch a lot of YouTube and I'd probably pay more to continue to not see ads. Crikey they could surely save a lot of money by paying some of the trashy 'artists' less.

As for Spotify, stopped paying for premium when I lost my subsidy that was part of my work mobile plan.