TikTok to take on Spotify and Apple in the streaming wars with new music platform

TikTok killed the radio star as the place to discover new songs. And now they want fans to stream their favourite tunes on a new streaming platform. See how to get a free subscription.

Exclusive: Young Australian music fans are lab rats in the latest round of the streaming wars with Chinese tech behemoth ByteDance testing their new platform TikTok Music here.

The beta trial of the new music streaming platform, which will exist as a separate app, is only open to 18 to 24-years-olds.

Fans can sign up for free, in exchange for their valuable data on listening habits and likes. They will be rewarded with a complimentary three-month TikTok Music subscription when the platform officially launches.

With the TikTok video app proving to a powerful music discovery tool, it was inevitable its parent company ByteDance would launch a streaming service to take on Spotify and Apple where most TikTokers go to hear a full song.

The platform has been up and running for the past week in Indonesia and Brazil where it replaced ByteDance’s music app Resso.

The Kid Laroi has been a favourite artist on TikTok. Picture: Getty

Beta trials have also been launched in Mexico and Singapore.

While TikTok Music would not confirm how much Australian users will be charged when the platform goes live, the subscription fee in Brazil is $5.12 and $4.77 in Indonesia.

There is no free or ad-supported membership tier.

On its launch in Brazil and Singapore, TikTok Music revealed it will allow users to sync the service to their existing TikTok accounts and listen, download and share songs.

It is understood the platform has licensing deals with the big three multinational labels – Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music – to host their catalogues.

Erica Valenti, head of Music Marketing TikTok Australia said “thousands of artists and millions of tracks” would be on the closed beta site for Australian users.

Peach PRC is a TikTok content creator queen. Picture: Supplied

“TikTok is already famous for breaking artists, creating hits, and powering music discovery,” Valenti said.

“TikTok Music will help users go one step further, to listen, share and download the music they have discovered on TikTok, as well as share their favourite tracks and artists with their TikTok community.”

But will it help Australian artists break through the algorithmic geoblock which appears to put new homegrown music at a disadvantage compared to international releases?

Compelling content from artists such as pop star Peach PRC helped get her a global record deal and TikTok was also instrumental in pushing The Kid Laroi to next level stardom.

Dean Lewis enjoyed a TikTok-fuelled chart ascent with his heartwrenching hit How Do I Say Goodbye last year.

Dean Lewis generated millions of views with his videos of fans cry-singing his song last year. Picture: Supplied

Lizzo ‘s About Damn Time was among 2022’s top 5 most popular songs on Tiktok Music. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Yet the 2022 top 5 most popular songs on the video platform last year included big league pop stars including Lizzo’s About Damn Time, Harry Styles’ As It Was and the global throwback smash Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill.

Valenti would not comment on whether Australian artists and their songs would be given a boost to improve discoverability of local music during the beta trial.

“We have a dedicated Australian music team who are passionate about supporting Aussie music,” she said.

“They will continue to work closely with the local music industry to promote local artists at all levels.”

For now, only the 18 to 24-year-olds willing to give the beta site a whirl will have the inside scoop on whether TikTok Music can become the next big thing in streaming.

You can sign up via www.music.TikTok.com