Published
Tue, Dec 16, 2014, 11:11
- The SFX-owned online retailer will reportedly move towards free track streams in 2015.
Online dance music retailer Beatport will relaunch in 2015 with a focus on free streaming, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Beatport, which was founded in 2004, was bought in 2013 by Robert F.X. Sillerman's SFX Entertainment. It sells dance music downloads, with DJs forming a large majority of its customer base. But next year that will change, with "a free, ad-supported music streaming service" on the way, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing "people familiar with the matter." The download store will not be shelved—it will be housed at the recently launched site Beatport Pro.
SFX is still in negotiations with major labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music and Warner Music Group over the plans, though this isn't seen as a major obstacle—about 90 percent of the retailer's database comes from smaller independent labels. The Wall Street Journal's sources say the new Beatport site will also provide "event information, artist profiles and, potentially, live-streamed performances." The aim is to consolidate SFX's online presence—the company currently operates 59 different websites.