The company says ad-based models are no longer "practical" and now mobile users will have to pay to continue their Last.fm service.
Online use will stay free, in the U.S, UK and Germany, adds Matthew Hawn, Last.fm's head of product.
Says Hawn (via BBC):
We think that the best experience is ad-free. It's not that we're losing buckets of money on our service... but we're trying to make rational decisions about our business model.
The company does note that Xbox Live users will still be able to access the service for free, as well.
Adds the company:
On the Last.fm website an ad-supported, free-to-listeners model is what supports our online radio services in the US, UK and Germany. In other markets and on emerging mobile and home entertainment devices, it is not practical for us to deliver an ad supported radio experience, but instead, we will migrate to what we believe is the highest quality, lowest cost ad-free music service in the world.
We believe our radio -whether it’s a personalised station or artist and tag radio – is the best in the world and we’re proud of the depth and range of our catalogue of music from major labels, indies and unsigned artists. We’re committed to building Last.fm into a bigger service that gives listeners the best music discovery experience anywhere while financially supporting and promoting the artists who make the music we love.
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 7 Feb 2011 20:28
