The Wider Implications of Facebook's Changes

Facebook has launched its long-rumored music “service.” It’s not really a music service; instead it’s an accommodation and integration of other music services - and other media.
It became official last week when it was unveiled at the f8 conference.

Facebook will allow users who also use Spotify, iheartradio or a host of other music-related services to integrate their music experience into their Facebook account. This is just the start for Facebook Music. Down the road, several more things are likely to happen:

·         More music and media services will be added - Reportedly, a number of other music services will be integrated. Among those are Rhapsody SoundCloud, Deezer, and Vevo, giving Facebook users even more options for sharing playlists and songs.

·         Extended free services - Spotify launched earlier this year with a free service, in addition to its paid subscription model. Other music services that had only been paid are now adding a free tier, likely in anticipation of partnering with Facebook. For example, MOG just announced its new free service last week, and Rdio is expected to announce a free tier also. The music companies prefer seeing users migrate the other way (from free to paid), but making more free services available to the public will likely mean much wider adoption of these services.

·         Increased competition for traditional media - Traditional media should be concerned that Facebook’s media integrations means evens less reason for people to not only stay in Facebook, but to avoid reach for the TV remote or turn on the radio. These media need to make their content just as accessible to Facebook users as Spotify, iheartradio, Hulu and Netflix are. For example, radio stations should be prepared to make their online streams available through their Facebook pages instead of making users leave Facebook in order to get it.