Rdio Updates App to Lead with Free Internet Radio Service, Introduces Suite of Innovative Features for Personalization and Discovery

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rdio, a leading global music streaming service available in 60 countries, today updates its app to lead with a free Internet radio service and introduces a suite of new features making it even easier for subscribers to listen to music any way they want, from stations to playlists to albums and to songs. Rdio's free stations-first offering features 15 times more music than the leading Internet radio service and a wide variety of station types, including algorithmic artist- and genre-based stations, human-curated stations programmed to fit any mood or activity, personalized stations tuned to each individual listener, and stations based on tastemakers.

Anyone can now instantly enjoy rich, programmed-free stations -- no trial or subscription necessary -- and can enjoy all of the new features cross platform. This product update underscores Rdio's commitment to create the best-in-class streaming Internet radio experience through personalized music discovery, coupled with a best in class on-demand subscription offering.  

The new features include:

• Home -- An evolving and constantly refreshing feed of personalized music stories that surfaces the best of Rdio in a single destination. Stories are built around the listener's music preferences, recent activity from tastemakers and friends, recommendations from Rdio experts, and more.
• Favorites -- Expanding listeners' collections so they can keep track of everything they love, all in one place.
• Browse -- Where Rdio's new curated stations can be explored.
• Trending -- See which stations, songs, albums, artists, or playlists are popular among all Rdio music lovers, or toggle to people you follow and make it more personal.

"We are in the very early days of the era of streaming music and there is a huge opportunity to bring this remarkable experience to people around the world," said Anthony Bay, CEO of Rdio. "For the first time in history, it's possible to have access to all of the world's music through a single application – any time and anywhere – tuned to you. We're focused on offering the world's best music experience built around the listener. We now lead with a free stations experience combined with the ability to upgrade to a full on-demand subscription service that offers access to any song, album or playlist, and additional stations features. Internet radio and music subscription have traditionally been seen as two different options but we believe there are compelling reasons for them to go hand-in-hand as one."

In the U.S., the free service is made possible through an innovative advertising and promotion partnership with Cumulus, whose Westwood One advertising sales division is the radio leader, including exclusive advertising launch support from Macy's and Home Depot. Both partners will be supporting Rdio's advertising products, including running audio ads synched with high-impact display units across web and mobile, as well as creating branded stations that provide both partners with ownership of all audio ad messaging during station playback.

"This is the most exciting Internet radio product we've seen and provides a compelling complement to our nationwide broadcast radio platform," said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus. "Our partnership with Rdio creates a unique opportunity for advertisers to reach their target audiences whenever and wherever they consume audio content."

Continued Growth Through Global Reach and Strategic Partnerships

Rdio's commitment to expanding its reach to every device can be seen through strategic API partnerships with brands in connected device, mobile apps and automotive:

• Roku, a leading streaming entertainment platform, is the first to integrate Rdio's free stations API, making Rdio its featured music partner, and with certain Roku products can offer instant access with the touch of the Rdio button on the Roku remote control.
• Shazam users can now connect their Rdio account to get the tracks they discover automatically added to Rdio playlists. Rdio users can also go beyond the preview, playing full tracks from Rdio right in Shazam.
• SoundHound also connects listeners directly with Rdio and enables every song discovered to be played back "in app" and also linked to a playlist in Rdio;
• Rdio provides interactive streaming music for all Tesla Model S vehicles in Europe.

About Rdio:
A leading global digital streaming music service, Rdio is reinventing the way people discover, play, and share music. Rdio's goal is to be the world's most simple, personal, and social music experience. The company aims to provide access to every song, on every device, anywhere in the world, instantly, online or offline. Founded by Janus Friis, co-creator of Skype, in August 2010, Rdio is headquartered in San Francisco.  The service is currently available in 60 countries and offers a catalog of over 30 million songs. More information on Rdio is available at: www.rdio.com.

Contact:
Rdio
Lizzie Garlinghouse
415.603.1197
[email protected]

SOURCE Rdio