Tencent and Spotify swap stakes
- Sara Fischer, author of Axios Media Trends
Music streaming services Spotify and Tencent Music Holdings have agreed to invest minority stakes in one another, both companies announced on Friday.
Why it matters: The investments could allow each company to expand their global footprints. Tencent Music's parent company is a dominant force in China's social internet economy, and has recently made investments in American companies like Snapchat. Spotify has been working to go public through a direct listing, and an investment from Tencent could help convinvce shareholders that it has global appeal.
Deal details: Financials haven't been disclosed, but reports suggest each company acquired roughly 10% in one another. Tencent Inc. also is investing in Spotify through secondary purchases, making both Tencent Inc. and Tencent Music Holdings minority stakeholders in the streaming giant.