Microsoft in talks to acquire Deezer

Music streaming service Deezer could be acquired by Microsoft, according to industry reports.

The technology megalith is rumoured to be in early-stage discussions with Deezer that could result in acquisition. “They aren’t in deep negotiations at this point,” a source told Digital Music News, “but it’s definitely on the table.”

The move would vastly improve Microsoft’s performance in the digital music sphere – an area the company has had little success in thus far. The news also comes in tandem with the announcement that France-based Deezer is in preparations to officially launch in the US in January next near.

Since its global launch in 2011, Deezer has quickly risen to become a major competitor in the global music streaming industry, just last week announcing it reached 5 million paying subscribers, gaining on Spotify’s official figure of 7 million.

However, while Spotify is already present in the US, Deezer’s numbers include people that have come to the service via a mobile bundle.

While there were rumours Deezer were considering entering the American market with a major mobile carrier, at this stage it looks like the music service will go it alone.

’It doesn’t look like there will be a carrier partner as of now,” one source told DMN. “But they will definitely be here in January.”

Deezer now has a presence in over 180 countries, and recently launched a music app within the new Xbox 360 game console – another sign of their ties with Microsoft.