Retailer JB Hi-Fi has unveiled a subscription online music service, beating Spotify to its Australian launch.
Users pay $6.67 a month for the service, called JB Hi-Fi Now, which gives them access to millions of songs via the website. Music can be streamed from multiple internet-capable devices. The service was developed by digital agency Visual Jazz.
JB Hi-Fi Now allows users to create mix tapes, browse by genre and share music. Information such as artist biographies, reviews and recommendations will also be available. A free one month trial is being offered by the retailer.
Early next year, the brand will release an app for Apple, Android and Windows devices which will allow users to play back songs while offline.
JB Hi-Fi Now's launch into the market is ahead of music streaming service Spotify, who signalled their intentions for the Australian market when it appointed former Google staffer Kate Vale to head up sales locally. Spotify has not given a firm date for its Australian debut but it is expected to be next year.
Spotify offers a tiered model including a free and premium service. The free music streaming service is punctuated with advertising.
JB Hi-Fi chief executive Terry Smart: "JB Hi-Fi Now is set to be a game-changer for the music industry here in Australia and will change the way we listen to and enjoy music. JB Hi-Fi Now is another example of our continued focus on innovation and emerging technologies.
"JB Hi-Fi Now holds the license to more than ten million songs already and this will continue to grow as the site evolves. It's designed to change continuously, with further social and community areas as our immediate focus. Visual Jazz has brought the concept to life in an amazing way, adding features that have not been seen before and there are many more exciting developments in the pipeline following the launch."
Visual Jazz managing director Konrad Spilva said: "The retail industry is at a turning point when it comes to online and JB Hi-Fi has been brave in being one of the first local majors to truly replicate one of their signature to a powerful out of store experience. We're lucky in the sense that they've completely trusted us to deliver on this project, which really is the way of the future for music retail.
"There are other music sites around but none with the features and easy usability that JB Hi-Fi Now delivers, and certainly not on a local level. It was an extensive process to develop the site and we're certainly not done."
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