For Adele’s legions of fans, as well as for the music industry at large, a big question has hung over the release of “25,” her first album in nearly five years.  The album is all but certain to be a gigantic hit, but would Adele make it available for streaming on services like Spotify and Apple Music? 

An answer emerged on Thursday, after weeks of speculation: No. 

With less than 24 hours before the release of the album on Friday, the major digital music services were informed that “25” would not be available for streaming, according to three people with direct knowledge of the plans.  A spokesman for Adele declined to comment. 

Streaming has taken hold as the fastest-growing part of the music business and the format that record executives and technology mavens alike point to as the future of listening.  But it remains controversial among many artists over royalty payments and issues of control. 

Most artists have no choice but to opt for streaming and accede to the terms set by the services.  But Adele, along with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, are viewed as among the very few superstar acts with enough leverage to set the terms for how they want their music to be consumed.