It’s now Amazon Music vs. Spotify vs. Apple Music (sorry, Tidal).
Amazon is out to prove that the best services don’t need splashy announcements.
After a week filled with rumors about their upcoming music service, the company has finally launched Amazon Music Unlimited. The music service has launched at $9.99 for non-Prime members and $7.99 for Prime members. There’s also a $79/yearly plan for Prime members with a $99/yearly plan for non-members.
Actually, there’s also a rumored family plan in the works at $14.99 per month, or $149 per year (more on that later).
Amazon Music Unlimited replaces Amazon’s former ‘Prime Music’ service. The new music streaming service reportedly has tens of millions of songs. This overshadows Prime Music’s catalog of just 2 million.
Like its competitors, you’ll get access to a huge library of songs, curated playlists, radio stations, and lyrics. However, in a surprise move, Amazon has also released their Echo-only service at just $3.99 per month. This is much cheaper than the $4.99 price tag previously rumored.
The $4 price tag also undercuts Pandora Plus, a critical jab.
With the surprise Echo-only price tag, this is where Amazon is looking to stand apart from its competitors.
Amazon’s Echo and Amazon Music Unlimited on Echo devices will give Echo owners access to advanced features like voice-activated requests. Based on your history, you can tell your Echo to play back certain music. For example, if you say “play workout music,” Echo will play songs according to your music history taste.
Basic voice commands will also work, like “Alexa, play Adele’s new song,” or “Alexa, play The Chainsmokers.” This service will also work on single Alexa-powered devices, like Taps or Dots.
There’s also a redesigned Music app available for iOS and Android devices. You’ll be able to access the service directly through your smartphone and/or tablet.
You can check out the tweet below that Amazon posted earlier today.
Introducing Amazon Music Unlimited! Start your free trial today: https://t.co/N19lOp5DsJ #GoUnlimited pic.twitter.com/RLFRMOdWcV
— Amazon Music (@amazonmusic) 12 de octubre de 2016
Can’t wait to see the per stream payouts on this one!
They might be better than you think, given the paid-only approach.
Remember also that they are really in the business of selling Echo devices. That’s where the money is. They can afford the actual music to simply be a line item on an expense sheet. They can eat some of the cost if need be.
Spotify, on the other hand, doesn’t actually sell anything else. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
I think this is big news and could monetize a lot of currently un-monetized casual music listeners.
The $3.99 echo only price point is getting closer to what I have been advocating for some time..
Spotify do sell more than music, they sell “major label partnerships” in other words they sell deal making and they’re preparing for the big sell .. The I.P.O. that’s where the HUGE bucks will be…