Streaming services: Free, but at what cost?

STREAMINGSPOTIFYAlready a significant player in a number of European areas, Spotify released to much fanfare within the U.S. earlier this summer time. Distinguishing itself from rivals having a free subscription option that enables delinquent use of its entire catalog, they have apparently nabbed 1.4 million U.S. customers in the first several several weeks of operation, after some over 12% purchasing in to the premium compensated tiers.Released: 2008 (2011 in U.S.)Catalog size: 15 million songsFree service: Yes (advertisements, monthly hourly limit, no mobile)Compensated: $5/$10 per monthBitrate (killerbytes per second): 160 (free), 320 (compensated)Device compatibility: desktop, iOS, Android, Home windows, SonosLocal library sync: YesTerritories: U.S., Finland, France, Netherlands, Norwegian, The country, Sweden, U.K.Professional provenance: Sean Parker (Napster, Facebook), Daniel Ek (Stardoll), Martin Lorentzdon (TradeDoubler)RHAPSODYThe initial subscription music-streaming service, Rhapsody seemed to be the very first service available to acquire licenses all major label groups. Formerly underneath the auspices of Viacom-possessed RealNetworks, Rhapsody was spun off being an independent company in Feb of this past year, and it has accumulated 800,000 having to pay customers, the biggest quantity of any U.S. streaming service.Released: 2001Catalog size: 11 million songsFree service: NoPaid: $10/$15 per monthBitrate: 256Device compatibility: desktop, iOS, Android, BlackberryLocal library sync: NoTerritories: U.S.RDIOBoasting perhaps the very best user-interface of all of the streaming sites, Rdio enables customers to see their friends' recent listening activity, in addition to producing real-time "charts" of the very popular tracks among their personal social circle. The services are searching to grow into South Usa and Asia within the coming several weeks.Released: 2010Catalog size: 9 million songsFree service: NoPaid: $5/$10 per monthBitrate: 256Device compatibility: desktop, Android, Rim, Home windows 7, iOS, Sonos, RokuLocal library sync: NoTerritories: U.S., CanadaExec provenance: Janus Friis, Niklas Jennstrom (Skype, Kazaa)MOGInitially began like a blog platform and music-based social media site, MOG initially joined with Rhapsody to permit use of streaming music before starting like a subscription service of their own. Your blog network is constantly on the thrive, giving the service a leg-up in the simplicity of music discovery and supplemental information.Released: 2005 (2009 as music subscription service)Catalog size: 11 million songsFree service: NoPaid: $5/$10 per monthBitrate: 320Device compatibility: desktop, iOS, Android, RokuLocal library sync: YesTerritories: U.S.Professional provenance: David Hyman (GraceNote), Ron Rubin (Def Jam, American)Others: Grooveshark, Music Limitless Powered by Qriocity (The new sony), Napster, Zune PassRADIOPANDORAUsing a patented playlist-producing technology known as the background music Genome Project, The planet pandora required benefit of the proliferation of wise phones being no. 1 most-downloaded free iPad application with no. 2 most-downloaded free apple iphone application. Debuting like a openly exchanged company earlier this summer time, The planet pandora was valued at $2.6 billion on its first day available on the market.Released: 2000Catalog size: a million songsFree service: Yes (advertisements, skip limits)Compensated: $36 per yearBitrate: 192 (compensated)Device compatibility: iOS, Rim, Android, Palm Pre, Roku, Sonos, GoogleTVSubscriber base: 100 millionAuto: Native technology in certain Ford, Toyota, Mercedes, GM, Hyundai and BMW cars.On-demand listening: NoTerritories: U.S.SLACKERThough it trails The planet pandora substantially in the customer amounts, Slacker has strongly beefed up its choices recently to incorporate on-demand streaming functions and inconspicuous news and sports content.Released: 2007Catalog size: 3 million tunes (not official)Free service: Yes (advertisements, skip limits)Compensated: $4/$10 per monthBitrate: 128Device compatibility: iOS, Rim, Android, WindowsSubscriber base: n/aAuto: No native technologyOn-demand listening: Yes.Areas: U.S.IHEARTRADIOInitially meant to coordinate playlists from 1000's of Obvious Funnel-possessed terrestrial r / c right into a single online interface, Obvious Funnel lately introduced a relaunch of iHeartRadio to be able to contend with The planet pandora, permitting for customers to stream programming from Obvious Funnel stations on the mobile products, in addition to creating individual playlists. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com