Last.fm To Charge For Radio

2009-03-25 by Athom EMERITUS | 36 Comments
Music networking site Last.FM has announced that it will start charging users that are not from the US, the UK, or Germany a €3.00 monthly subscription charge for access to Last.FM's online radio service.

No reasons were given for the change in policy other than: "In order to keep providing the best radio service on the web, we need to ask our listeners from countries other than USA, UK and Germany to subscribe for €3.00 per month... There will be a 30 track free trial, and we hope this will convince people to subscribe and keep listening to the radio...”

http://blog.last.fm/2009/03/24/lastfm-radio-announcement

Tagged:

Comments:Add a Comment 
Cesar
March 25th 2009
2732 Comments


That sucks, I hope I still fall under USA.

Altmer
March 25th 2009
5714 Comments


i know i don't but I don't ever use it

Cesar
March 25th 2009
2732 Comments


I don't use it much but stil good to have.

Willie
Moderator
March 25th 2009
20674 Comments


that's kind of odd that they're singling out countries. Maybe people in the US/UK etc click enough ads or something.

Thor
March 25th 2009
10384 Comments


As long as I keep my charts for free I don't care.

Altmer
March 25th 2009
5714 Comments


saem

natey
March 25th 2009
4195 Comments


how much is it to be a paid member?

Fugue
March 25th 2009
7371 Comments


That sucks for those it applies to, I'm just glad that I won't get charged.

Phantom
March 25th 2009
9010 Comments


I DON'T HAVE TO PAY SO I DON'T CARE

DBlitz
March 25th 2009
1693 Comments


i use the recommendation station every other month, sucks i can't use it anymore

KYZAR
March 25th 2009
513 Comments


WHY? (Dont care i dont have to pay but...) this may start a new policy for last fm, charge for music you can listen to for free on that bands myspace.

MassiveAttack
March 25th 2009
2754 Comments


its not like ppl actually use this lol

Meatplow
March 25th 2009
5523 Comments


thousands use it

MassiveAttack
March 25th 2009
2754 Comments


its not difficult to use those recommendations and go to pandora or another free radio site

Willie
Moderator
March 26th 2009
20674 Comments


thanks for the explanation, Dave.

It's true that it wouldn't be hard taking the last.fm reccomendations and using another site to hear them, but part of the draw is the convienience. I'd rather use iTunes reccomendations if I can't use last.fm for both the recs and the listening.

Kiran
Emeritus
March 26th 2009
6134 Comments


As long as I keep my charts for free I don't care.


radtaste
March 26th 2009
6 Comments


I'm using the radio service at the moment.

"Take me back, take me back
Back to my home, oh, oh..."

Willie
Moderator
March 26th 2009
20674 Comments


I use the last.fm radio on my iPhone. It's a nice convienience.

Phantom
March 26th 2009
9010 Comments


radtaste's avatar nearly hypnotized me.

I'm dizzy.

Rugter32
March 26th 2009
754 Comments


As long as I keep my charts for free I don't care. This Message Edited On 03.25.09

lexicons
March 26th 2009
144 Comments


sucks to be people in somalia. now they're starving AND having to pay for last.fm

CompanionCube
March 26th 2009
977 Comments


what? Germany is free but Canada has to pay? balls

natey
March 26th 2009
4195 Comments


maybe if it wasn't so Canadian

CrazyFool84
March 26th 2009
1083 Comments


So I guess being neighbours with the states and the children of the brits, Canada still will fall under the "pay for radio" category?

Jim
March 26th 2009
5110 Comments


well i don't use it so boo

BornDeadBuriedAlive
March 26th 2009
427 Comments


For the first time in a long time, I can say that I am proud to be an American.

TrojanWhore
March 26th 2009
752 Comments


Don't use it tbh

lauriej
March 26th 2009
1713 Comments


i use it occasionally, and personally i think this policy sucks. thank fuck i like in the UK

natey
March 27th 2009
4195 Comments



For the first time in a long time, I can say that I am proud to be an American.

ok mr. first lady

taylormemer
March 27th 2009
4964 Comments


Yeah so who actually listens to last.fm?

Willie
Moderator
March 27th 2009
20674 Comments


I use it for reccomendations and as kind of a cool listing of what I've been listening to the most, and I use the radio on my iphone.

CrazyFool84
March 28th 2009
1083 Comments


it's a ridiculous way to find a myriad of new bands

MattRTS
March 29th 2009
136 Comments


that's kind of odd that they're singling out countries. Maybe people in the US/UK etc click enough ads or something.

It's a licensing issue. US, UK and Germany are the only countries that have ever allowed you to stream full catalogues.



"These are the countries in which we have the most resources to support an ad sales organization, which is how we earn money to pay artists and labels for their music. We are focused on the US, UK, and Germany as key markets, with the help of the CBS Interactive salesforce and our own sales team here in London. Our headquarters are in the UK and we’ve always had a strong presence in DE.

And so we’ve made the decision to focus on these markets for free streaming radio. We are still available worldwide and while listening is subscription, all the other rich content on the site is still free."- Matthew Ogle, last.fm staff.

Also this takes effect on March 30th.

Mendigo
March 29th 2009
2299 Comments


that really, really sucks. I don't use it that often, but it's very nice to check out the recommendations-station or just for finding new music. what makes it suck so much more is that it doesn't apply to everyone, but certain countries are singled out. I understand the reason behind it but that doesn't make it suck less.

Mendigo
March 29th 2009
2299 Comments


http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7674/nazilastfm.jpg
lol

KritikalMotion
March 29th 2009
2282 Comments


never used it



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





MOST VIEWED NEWS

Jesse Lacey Allegations
Jayyvon Opens Up About Abuse
The Fall of Troy bassist melts do..
The Story So Far's vocalist dropk..
Deftones stream new single
R.I.P. Lemmy
Killswitch Engage debut new single
Scott Weiland dead at 48
Nothing But Thieves accusations
Lil Peep Dead At 21



OTHER RECENT NEWS

A Wilhelm Scream's Cheap Heat
Phasma post new stuff
Thy Worshiper go west to Eden
Forever Autumn stream new LP
Incandescence tease new album
Babymetal celebrate 15th year
RIP ThyCrossAwaits
Kannatama releases demo track
Chrocktikal announces debut
Ichika Nito’s Grand Reveal LP
Silje Wergeland leaves The Gather..
Silver Dolls stream namesake EP
R.I.P. Perry Bamonte
VOLA gear destroyed in fire
R.I.P. Chris Rea

» see all news

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy