Topline
TikTok launched a new music streaming service called TikTok Music in two countries, the company announced Thursday, in parent company ByteDance’s second attempt to compete with music streaming giants Spotify, Apple and Amazon.
Key Facts
TikTok Music—which is only available through a subscription for users in Indonesia and Brazil—will allow TikTok users to sync their accounts to a TikTok Music account to save songs heard in viral TikTok videos, as well as stream full versions of those songs.
In Brazil, a TikTok Music subscription costs $3.49 a month, and in Indonesia iOS users pay $3.25 a month, while Android users pay $2.96 a month for the first year, then $3.25 (there is no free membership option).
The company will make it possible for users to import an external playlist and play it through TikTok Music.
The new streaming service includes a number of features found on Spotify and Apple Music, including uninterrupted ad-free listening and a download function for listening offline.
The music streaming service will also allow multiple users to make playlists together.
TikTok is offering a one-month free trial of the new streaming service to users in Brazil and Indonesia.
What We Don’t Know
It’s unclear exactly when the streaming service could launch in the U.S. or other countries.
Key Background
This is not the first time ByteDance has experimented with a music streaming service. In 2019, the company launched Resso, a music streaming service in India, Indonesia and Brazil. Resso initially came with multiple tiers, including an advertised-supported free tier, but in May ByteDance announced it was scrapping the free tier. With Thursday’s announcement of the launch of TikTok Music, Resso will cease operation beginning in September, the company said.
Tangent
Last month, Spotify announced its plan to add a more expensive subscription option that included high-fidelity audio. Spotify has been known for its affordability—it’s $1 a month less than its competitors—but it may soon raise prices in an effort to stay competitive. Both Amazon Music and Spotify allow users to listen for free with advertisements. Apple Music offers users a free one-month trial.
Further Reading
Spotify Will Reportedly Launch Pricier Subscription Tier Later This Year (Forbes)
