TikTok To Close Down Subscription Streaming Service 'TikTok Music'

TikTok is looking to shut down its subscription streaming service, TikTok Music, Billboard reports.

The platform has been around for a little over a year. TikTok Music launched in its first test markets, Brazil and Indonesia, last July and, a few weeks later, announced that it would expand to include Mexico, Singapore, and Australia.

The video-sharing platform’s music streaming app was initially launched as a closed beta service available to volunteer users.

Upon its unveiling, TikTok Music allowed users to sync the streamer to their existing TikTok accounts so they could share, stream and download songs that appeared in user-created videos. TikTok Music replaced the company’s existing streamer, Resso.

According to a new Billboard report, TikTok Music will close on 28 November as the social media company pivots to highlighting its Add To Music App, which launched late last year. The latter app allows users to save tracks they discover on TikTok and add them to their preferred streaming service.

TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development Ole Obermann said (via Billboard), “We will be closing TikTok Music at the end of November in order to focus on our goal of furthering TikTok’s role in driving even greater music listening and value on music streaming services, for the benefit of artists, songwriters and the industry.”

Earlier this year, TikTok’s Add To Music App expanded so it could be used in 163 countries.

At the time of its launch last year, a representative for TikTok Music said the platform’s launch should offer “a new kind of music service that combines the power of music discovery on TikTok with a music streaming service offering millions of tracks from thousands of artists.”

When the app launched, it followed news that TikTok inked a “first of its kind” licensing agreement with Warner Music Group that would bolster the latter music giant’s roster on the former social video app.

In a statement, TikTok CEO Shou Chew said: “We are very excited to partner with Warner Music Group to create a shared vision for the future in which artists, songwriters, music fans, and the industry can all benefit from the power of discovery on TikTok platforms.”