Amazon and Pandora to Launch Affordable Music Streaming Services

Amazon and Pandora Media have made plans to launch new versions of their streaming music services Reuters reported citing a New York Times report.

According to the plan, Pandora may have plans to reveal an expansion of its $5-per-month streaming music service this week, with possible new features including skipping more songs or storing several hours of playlists, the New York Times said.

Industry insiders said that Pandora is intent on launching a full-fledged on-demand platform by Christmas this year. The on-demand platform will most likely be priced at $10 a month and would go head to head with Spotify and Apple Music.

Citing the New York Times, Reuters said that Amazon, on the other hand, is expected to announce a platform with a large portfolio of music for $10 per month or about half that amount for customers using its Echo voice-activated speakers.

Both companies are close to completing months of negotiations for deals with record companies and music publishers that will allow them to offer the new services, the Times reported.

Amazon was mustering it resources to launch a standalone music streaming subscription service at $9.99 per month similar to what its major rivals are offering, Reuters reported in June, citing sources.

Both Amazon and Pandora did not respond to a request for comment.