Rdio Fights Back, Plans On Launching Free Music Service To Counter iTunes Radio
by Joe White
September 16, 2013
Music streaming service Rdio is set to take on Apple's iTunes Radio with its own free service. Having partnered with broadcaster Cumulus Media, the new ad-supported music service is expected to be announced as early as Sept. 16.
As a reminder, Apple is making its foray into the world of music streaming with iTunes Radio, which offers iTunes and iDevice users access to free ad-supported "radio stations." These stations can be based on artists, genres, and more, and are also available ad-free for customers of Apple's iTunes Match service. Rdio, Pandora, Spotify, and similar services therefore face serious competition from iTunes Radio, which will reach iDevice and Apple TV users on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Rdio, however, isn't giving up without a fight. According to a recent report from The New York Times, the music streaming service is said to have partnered with broadcaster Cumulus Media, and together the two are set to launch a free ad-supported music service. The publication explains:
In exchange for what it calls a significant equity stake in Rdio’s parent company, Pulser Media, Cumulus will give Rdio broad access to its programming and promote Rdio on its stations.Details concerning Rdio's anticipated ad-supported service aren't known. As of this writing, the company charges subscribers between $5 and $10 in order to access its music streaming service on desktop computers and mobile devices. Rdio also recently improved its service by integrating charts sourced from Twitter #music. The New York Times claims that we'll hear more later today; we'll keep you updated with further information as we receive it. In the meantime, see: Sprint To "One Up: The Competition With Its Own Early Upgrade Plan, Rovio Updates Original Angry Birds Game With New Classic Levels And Manual Targeting, and Apple's iOS 7.0.1, iOS 7.0.2, iOS 7.1 Already Being Tested Inside Cupertino.