Downloads of Tidal on iTunes plummet in Canada, as competitors enter top 10

TORONTO – Downloads of Tidal, Jay-Z’s high-quality streaming service, seem to be stumbling after the app’s initial launch and advertising blitz in March.

Downloads of the app in the Apple Store plummeted since April 1, according to AppAnnie.com which tracks download metrics. Tidal was the 52^nd most downloaded app in the United States, and the 128^th most downloaded app in Canada on April 1.

But since then, users haven’t been kind to the rap mogul as downloads have plunged to 580 and 1,265 in each country respectively on April 18.

The app wasn’t even ranked on the Canadian charts as of Tuesday morning and had fallen to the 872^nd spot in the United States, according to AppAnnie.com.

But despite that, TIDAL’s chief investment officer Vania Schloger said the company is “happy with the traction that we’ve seen.”

“There’s a lot of music lovers out there so we’re very happy about how it’s going,” the statement read.

Spotify, Tidal’s key competitor, had more downloads in that same time period, jumping into the Top 10 in Canada and hovering in the Top 20 in the United States.

Tidal also parted ways with CEO Andy Chen on Saturday.

The streaming service launched in late March with the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Daft Punk, Nicki Minaj, Arcade Fire, and Deadmau5 lending their support.

The app was promoted as a streaming service dedicated to helping artists profit from their music while also delivering high-quality audio and selling subscriptions for $20 a month, which is more expensive than Spotify. The app is available in 31 countries including Canada.