- TikTok shuts down music streaming app
- Refocuses on discovery
- Spotify and Apple Music remain unchallenged
The End of a Four-Year Experiment
TikTok has announced the closure of its music streaming app, TikTok Music, effective November 28. This decision marks the end of a four-year foray into music streaming by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, which began with the Resso app in select markets.
Limited Success in Crowded Market
Launched in July 2023, TikTok Music expanded to five countries but never reached the U.S. market. The app’s performance in app store rankings suggests it struggled to gain traction against established players like Spotify and Apple Music.
Shifting Focus to Music Discovery
Ole Obermann, TikTok’s global head of music business development, stated the company will now concentrate on “furthering TikTok’s role in driving even greater music listening and value on music streaming services.”
This pivot underscores TikTok’s strength in music discovery and promotion.