Messaging App Line Value Added Service Introduces Line Music, Music Streaming Service with In-app purchase on Trial Period in Thailand
Japanese messaging app Line seems to be branching out to music streaming as they test out a music streaming service that charges users $2 per month. This is just one of the company's many ways of generating revenue and providing services, as they rely mostly on in-app purchases to keep the business afloat.
After testing Line Music, a $2 per month music streaming add-on as one of Line's value added services, they seem to be green lighting the entertainment venture as they are launching it for a trial run in Thailand. The app can be downloaded in both the App Store (for iOS platform) and the Play Store (Android) and is incorporated into the chat app. This will allow the users to not only stream music they want to listen to but also to share with their friends on Line as well as post it in their Line timeline.
There are no details from Line on the number of tracks there are currently available in the new service but on e can assume that it could already be beyond the 100,000 mark considering that Line has already been signing license deals with music labels in Thailand. This will also allow the company to offer exclusive content from Thai artists as well as international music acts to its users. The company is hoping that such privilege will encourage its loyal users to sign up for the app, even giving users a free pass for a month to use the app, and the option to continue subscription afterwards.
Line says that they are not trying to compete against Spotify and other music streaming apps, saying that the move is to offer more services to the apps already ballooning number of users and to help the company generate revenue through other add-on services than relying solely on the games that they offer. The value added Line Music service is currently on a trial period in Thailand, and offers users free access for the first month of installation. $2 per month charge will be applied after the initial one-month free trial should the user chooses to subscribe.