TikTok Ends Music Streaming Service in November to Focus on Core Platform

TikTok Closes Music Streaming Service

ByteDance’s TikTok has announced that it will shut down the TikTok Music streaming service on November 28, 2023, amid fierce competition from industry leaders like Spotify and Google. In a statement, TikTok emphasized the need to focus on enhancing its core platform that integrates music with short videos.

Reasons for the Shutdown

Despite its ambitions, TikTok Music was unable to differentiate itself from well-established services. Ole Obermann, TikTok's global head of music business development, explained that the company aims to strengthen TikTok's role in driving music listening across platforms rather than compete directly with streaming giants.

• Users must transfer playlists by October 28.
• All account information and personal data will be deleted post-closure.
• Resso, an earlier music venture in India, was also discontinued earlier this year due to regulatory issues.

Challenges in the Music Streaming Market

The closure of TikTok Music comes at a time when competitive pressures are mounting. Major companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon.com have significantly invested in music streaming services recently. Music streaming has become increasingly difficult due to slim profit margins exacerbated by high royalty fees that plague the industry.

TikTok, known for its unique synergy between music and user-generated video content, struggled to replicate its success in a direct streaming context. Earlier disputes over licensing with major publishers, including Universal Music Group, underscore the company's challenges in maintaining a competitive edge.