And to think I just signed up…
When Microsoft put their music streaming service MixRadio, which was exclusive to Windows Phone users, up for grabs back in July 2014, LINE, who provides a free popular call and messaging application called LINE, acquired the service in as little as 5 months. The company said they wanted to keep working on the project and even expand it. And this promise seemed to be coming true, with LINE releasing two beta apps of the music service for iOS and Android users while still improving on the Windows version, promising a universal Windows 10 app release in the near future. Then in late 2015, the Microsoft name was finally removed from the Windows Phone version of MixRadio, which seemed to indicate the progress LINE was making with the music service. However, that wasn’t the case.
You see, LINE hasn’t been able to turn a profit from MixRadio, which I guess they thought they would. It might be because the entire service is free of charge for all users, they just didn’t have enough users on the platform, or they were loosing valuable customers. However, I’ve received plenty of comments stating that users still use MixRadio and love it, mainly thanks to the ability that users can download playlists offline without paying a single cent. But rather just simply providing a free and paid subscription like everyone else does in the music streaming industry, LINE decided to keep with MixRadio’s roots and offer it for free no matter what. And that’s why today, LINE has announced that they will be shutting down MixRadio for good.
Tokyo, Japan – February 16, 2016 – LINE Corporation, owner and operator of the free call and messaging app LINE, today announced its decision to discontinue the operations of its subsidiary MixRadio Limited. The MixRadio music streaming service will be discontinued in the coming weeks as we work with the technical team and partners to ensure a smooth closure.
However my statement above declares that MixRadio is being shut down from no profits and too many paid features available for free, LINE has decided that these causes aren’t in effect with the termination of the music service. Here’s what they said in the official press release:
- Reasons for Termination of MixRadio Operations
LINE agreed to acquire the business and assets making up the music service known as MixRadio from Microsoft Mobile OY in December 2014. The newly established company continued to provide a radio-style music streaming service intended to provide a broader user experience. Nevertheless, after a careful assessment of the subsidiary’s overall performance, the financial challenges posed by the music streaming market, and priorities of LINE Corporation, LINE has determined that future growth would be difficult to ensure and decided to discontinue the MixRadio music streaming service.
“The financial challenges posed by the music streaming market” is their reason for shutting it down. Well, they’re right, but so am I. LINE already had a very popular messaging service they needed to manage, and believe me, that’s gotta be hard. But then they go and buy a music streaming service? Here’s another reason why MixRadio is being shut down: because LINE bought them. Think about it. They didn’t (and still don’t) have any experience with music streaming services. What’s more, LINE MUSIC, their other music streaming service currently in Japan and Thailand, is remains active. Seriously, how many more users does LINE MUSIC have that MixRadio didn’t? Why couldn’t you shut that down and focus on MixRadio? It just doesn’t make sense, but I guess LINE knows what they’re doing. I’m not them, so I won’t say anything else. However, I’ll bet anyone that MixRadio wouldn’t be shut down if Microsoft still owned it.
Here’s the full press release LINE released today for reference:
[Corporate Announcement]Notification of Termination of MixRadio Limited Operations
2016.02.16 Corporate Announcement
Tokyo, Japan – February 16, 2016 – LINE Corporation, owner and operator of the free call and messaging app LINE, today announced its decision to discontinue the operations of its subsidiary MixRadio Limited. The MixRadio music streaming service will be discontinued in the coming weeks as we work with the technical team and partners to ensure a smooth closure.
- Reasons for Termination of MixRadio Operations
LINE agreed to acquire the business and assets making up the music service known as MixRadio from Microsoft Mobile OY in December 2014. The newly established company continued to provide a radio-style music streaming service intended to provide a broader user experience. Nevertheless, after a careful assessment of the subsidiary’s overall performance, the financial challenges posed by the music streaming market, and priorities of LINE Corporation, LINE has determined that future growth would be difficult to ensure and decided to discontinue the MixRadio music streaming service.
LINE will continue to provide a unique user experience that blends music and communication via its LINE MUSIC service, which is currently available in Japan and Thailand.
LINE and the MixRadio team would like to thank the users of MixRadio for all of their support of the service.
Are you upset about the sudden shut down? Leave your opinion on the matter in the comments.
One Comment
You must log in to post a comment.