Amazon Explores Music Streaming Service With Major Labels For Prime
Amazon's Prime service has gained a lot of traction from avid users who appreciate quick shipping and discounted overnight options, but what about the other aspects? Prime customers also have access to free books and video streaming, though outside bandwidth reports suggest that many don't take advantage of those perks -- at least in comparison to Netflix streaming. As if a good deal needed to get any better, the company is now reportedly looking into the feasibility of adding music streaming to the mix.
With Spotify, Beats, Pandora, and plenty more soaking up monthly fees from those who want to stream music and listen offline on their mobile devices, Amazon sees an opportunity to convert its own digital music store into a subscription service that's included with a $79/year Prime sub. Of course, it should be noted that Amazon has weighed an increase in the yearly cost of Prime, which may be kicked in should this music deal pan out.
The company won't comment, and some sources suggest that Amazon is farther away from landing this than we may believe. It's asking record labels for stronger discounts than other streaming services have received, which is holding things up somewhat. Interestingly, the company has hired a number of executives lately that have experience in digital music, including folks from Sony and Rhapsody.
There's little doubt that this scheme, should it work out, would make Prime exceedingly attractive. A paying Spotify user is already forking over around $120/year for the ability to stream music ad-free and offline; if Prime remained the same, you'd get movies, music, and fast shipping for $79/year.
With Spotify, Beats, Pandora, and plenty more soaking up monthly fees from those who want to stream music and listen offline on their mobile devices, Amazon sees an opportunity to convert its own digital music store into a subscription service that's included with a $79/year Prime sub. Of course, it should be noted that Amazon has weighed an increase in the yearly cost of Prime, which may be kicked in should this music deal pan out.
The company won't comment, and some sources suggest that Amazon is farther away from landing this than we may believe. It's asking record labels for stronger discounts than other streaming services have received, which is holding things up somewhat. Interestingly, the company has hired a number of executives lately that have experience in digital music, including folks from Sony and Rhapsody.
There's little doubt that this scheme, should it work out, would make Prime exceedingly attractive. A paying Spotify user is already forking over around $120/year for the ability to stream music ad-free and offline; if Prime remained the same, you'd get movies, music, and fast shipping for $79/year.
