Songl enters the music streaming fray
New music streaming service Songl was officially launched in Sydney today after months of beta-testing, with chief executive Mark Shaw labelling it the “premium product in the market”.
Songl has been created specifically for the Australian market by Digital Music Distribution (DMD), the joint venture between Southern Cross Austereo, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music.
The platform offers both a paid for premium service for $12.99 per month and an ad funded light version of the service, Songl Free, that won’t “bombard you with ads between the songs”.
“Rather it’s a simpler linear play out of music,” a statement said.
A 30-day free trial period of the premium service is also on offer.
Southern Cross Austereo radio stations are featured in the service with users able to stream shows as they go to air.
Songl also hopes to differentiate itself from other services with a video player and “exclusive content” including playlists created by artists, stars and music experts.
The video player is available in both the free and premium service and will feature interviews and behind the scenes videos.
“We’re incredibly excited about the potential of music streaming and confident that Songl is the premium product in the market,” Mark Shaw, the chief executive of DMD, said.
“It’s designed for Australians, is simple and intuitive to use, enables users to share their music and dramatically enhances the consumer listening experience.
"We are not just a standard streaming service in that we are very focused on our content beyond just music tracks. We’ve gone aout and built a video player and we've got a real focus on creation of content by experts. Creation of content by artists and stars which is a huge part of what we do. We are working really closely with them," Shaw told B&T.
Songl can be accessed on desktop and via apps on iPad, iPhone and Android devices and automatically syncs across all devices.
Users can sync up to 1000 songs to their devices, allowing them offline access.
The service also has inbuilt Facebook integration allowing users to share their playlists with music catalogue featuring songs from the 1940’s to today’s chart toppers.
When Shaw spoke to B&T in October last year following SCA’s backing of DMD he said it was “kind of a big deal” Songl was headquartered locally.
“Being based here means we have got a huge amount of flexibility to be able to create what we want and we understand the needs of Australian clients,” he added.
“If you look at most other streaming services their head offices are overseas and they probably don’t have the flexibility to change and adapt to the Australian market like we do.”
Infusing the product with a strong local flavour was critical, as was making it a "mass market" product, said Shaw.
"We wanted to create a product that was really in tune with our Australian audience. It's got a strong bent towards supporting Australian artists and it's really easy to use. It's not just for the techies, its for people anywhere and everywhere," he said.
Australian Radio Network is still to launch its localised version of American service iHeartRadio after it announced its plans in early October 2012.
Songl is most closely linked to Spotify in terms of offered product and services. ARN's I Heart Radio product will not be a direct competitor, said Shaw.
"It's not really comparing apples to apples. I Heart Radio is a radio focused platform whereas we are a music streaming, music on demand, radio, video the whole thing service," he told B&T.
The music streaming market is still an an embryonic stage. According to Shaw, " the actual revenue coming out of streaming they actually represent less than 1% of all music revenues". But things are set to heat up in the next 12 months.
DMG Radio Australia partnered with Rdio in August and a string of music streaming services have recently entered the market including Pandora, Spotify and Deezer.
For more on the radio networks and music streaming see B&T’s ‘News Analysis: On air and On Target’.
To visit Songl's website click here.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Latest News
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.
Bumble Reveals New Brand Identity To Usher In New Era Of Dating
It's ironic that all the dating apps market themselves as having no weirdos, freaks or mummy's boys like their rivals.