The revamped Tidal went live yesterday at 5pm US Eastern time, as indicated by a large countdown timer that dominates its homepage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Streaming service relaunches, offers CD-quality streaming music across mobile, desktop
Tidal, the Jay Z-owned streaming service built around high quality tracks, is relaunching in a move that could give consumers a new option when weighing competitors like Spotify or Pandora.
Tidal logo
A company spokesman confirmed the relaunch plan but declined to comment further on how Tidal's service might change.
It's reasonable to speculate that the new Tidal may feature lower pricing, new app functions, or an expansion of its existing database of 25 million "lossless" CD quality songs.
Tidal's ad-free flagship service currently costs $19.99 per month, and can be accessed on the desktop, iOS, Android and home audio players like Sonos.
ADVERTISEMENT
A version offering standard sound quality costs $9.99 per month, ad-supported services from competitors like Spotify, Pandora, Rdio and Deezer are free, although premium versions without ads cost around $9.99 per month or less.
Tidal launched its high fidelity-oriented service last year, betting there's a large enough audience of music fans willing to pay more for better sound quality.
Musician Jay Z bought it as part of a $56 million acquisition of Swedish company Aspiro, announced earlier this month.
Tidal has sought to distinguish itself from competitors by claiming to be the only that combines high quality audio with high definition music videos and with editorial content around music interviews and features.
But there's a lot of competition. Google now offers its own Google Play Music streaming service, and Apple is said to be developing a new version of the Beats streaming service it acquired from that company, there's also Deezer, which offers its own high fidelity streaming service.
ADVERTISEMENT
But as streaming has grown, so too have complaints from artists that it doesn't generate enough revenue for them.
Tidal, however, has the backing of some major artists like Taylor Swift, who pulled her music from Spotify late last year over royalty issues and others.
With the relaunch, Jay Z might be looking to position Tidal, above all, as the service with the strongest support of artists.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
SM records issues contradictory statement to Shatta Wale's reply to GSPD
Afronita left DWP because her mother couldn't endure Endurance - Quables (VIDEO)
Counselor urges Shatta Wale to include psychologist in his management team
Lil Win bans Kwadwo Sheldon, Mr. Logic, others from attending his movie premiere
Funny Face: Mother of accident victims consoles him to forgive himself (VIDEO)
Afia Schwarzenegger calls out High Court judge who slept with her to give her job
Okyeam Kwame eyes Artiste of the Year award again
Court orders Mohbad's wife to allow DNA test on their son
