The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Last.fm to scrap subscription streaming service

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

March 28, 2014 | 1 min read

Last.fm has announced it is to pull the plug on its subscription radio streaming service in the face of increased competition from rival providers, such as Spotify.

Users will still be able to play personal stations through third party apps however, although the music will be played from alternative sources.

Outlining its rationale Last.fm said in a statement: “From 28th April, our subscription radio streaming service will come to an end. This means subscriber radio will no longer work on any platform or device.

"We're making this change to focus on improving scrobbling and recommendations, while continuing our goal of being your #onemusichome.

“Hardware devices that currently scrobble, such as Sonos and Logitech Squeezebox, will continue to scrobble as long as the manufacturers support it.

"We understand that many of you will not like this decision."

Last.fm has promised to reimburse subscribers for any undelivered periods of their subscriptions and will introduce new features to assuage those unhappy at the services demise.

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +