JB Hi-Fi To Shut Down Its Music Streaming Business

JB Hi-Fi To Shut Down Its Music Streaming Business

Tech retail giant JB Hi-Fi will be closing its doors on its music streaming service NOW, allegedly due to the dominance of ad support ‘freemium’ services such as Spotify and Pandora.

In what appears to be a company email – which you can read in full on website Gizmodo – the ‘freemium’ model makes it hard for subscription based music services to continue to operate.

We saw what happened with streaming service Rdio last year – the company told B&T the local Aussie market was one of the most competitive music streaming landscapes around, and around six months later announced it had closed and filed for bankruptcy with reports streaming site Pandora would buy its assets.

In a post on the JB Hi-Fi NOW website, the statement doesn’t provide a reason as to why the service is closing, but says it will finish streaming on 17 March, 2016. Subscriptions are not able to be bought anymore and those with a current subscription will have it turned into store credit or available for a refund.

B&T has contacted JB Hi-Fi for further comment, and was referred to an article on publication Stack.

CEO Richard Murray told Stack: ”The music department is entrenched in the DNA of JB Hi-Fi and we are committed to continuing to provide the largest range of CDs and vinyl across our 180 stores nationally and on our online store.”

“Engaging with our loyal music customers outside the store is key to the ongoing success of music at JB, and the team are very excited about future plans to amplify that engagement. We thank you for your support of the service and look forward to your continued support of music at JB Hi-Fi.”

The announcement also pushed the retail giant’s commitment to selling CDs and vinyl for those who love nostalgia.




Please login with linkedin to comment

Advertising Standards Bureau copyright Hat Tip holdem

Latest News

Choose A Path Less Trodden This Cannes In Cairns
  • B&T Exclusive

Choose A Path Less Trodden This Cannes In Cairns

Don’t be basic. Think creatively and you shall reap the benefits of Cannes in Cairns. “We want brands!” “We want the CMOs!” We heard you and we acted. The content slate at this year’s Cannes in Cairns, presented by Pinterest, is packed to the rafters with some epic brands and top marketing talent. But that’s […]

Cannes In Cairns MC Keeva Stratton Shares Her Top Session Picks
  • B&T Exclusive

Cannes In Cairns MC Keeva Stratton Shares Her Top Session Picks

Self-professed nerd and one of four top Cannes in Cairns, presented by Pinterest MCs, Keeva Stratton has a front-row seat to some fascinating minds and fierce debates. But who should you put on your must-see, must-hear list? Here, B&T grabs five with the Quip agency founder, who will be helming the lecture in the Rainforest […]

Nielsen Data Reveals Brands Spending Big To Attract Aussie Tourists
  • Advertising

Nielsen Data Reveals Brands Spending Big To Attract Aussie Tourists

Nielsen Ad Intel data has revealed that the travel and tourism industry spent more than $153 million on advertising in Australia in Q1, 2024 – an increase of 8 per cent from the previous quarter, with TripADeal the biggest spender, followed by Virgin Australia, then the Flight Centre-owned Ignite Travel. As many Australians return from […]