Still Thing Music Streaming Services are a Fad? Think Again.

August 25, 2014 Alan Cross 1 Comment 1 min read

If you (a) haven’t tried a streaming music; (b) have resisted trying a streaming music service; or (c) are dead against everything streaming music services stand for, I’ve got news for you. They are the future whether you want to believe it or not.

Yes, Canada is behind the curve, but we’re quickly catching up. Meanwhile, Europe and the US have seen huge growth in this area. From Warc.com:

The number of subscribers to music-streaming services in Europe and the US has doubled in the past two years, according to new research, and the sites are exploring new ways tomonetise their content.Research firm Futuresource Consulting expected the number of paid-for subscriptions in these markets to pass 20m in 2014, twice the figure of 2010. At the same time, spending was predicted to reach $3bn, a 59% increase on 2013.Most users were now using service provider apps on smartphones or tablets to access and play out music, according to David Sidebottom, senior market analyst at Futuresource Consulting.

“Wireless audio hardware is in the driving seat,” he added, “with devices like wireless speakers key to the development of streaming music subscription services, providing an additional layer to the user experience beyond a personal listening experience via headphones or a standard docking station.”

You should keep reading. Then ponder the fact that mobile apps now account for 52% of “digital media time” in the US. And note where radio figures into those stats.

Finally, there’s this post from radio consultant Mark Ramsey where he points out the challenges radio has with the mobile phone. Look at how people are using apps these days. And notice what sorts of apps are missing from this chart.