Beatport to launch free streaming music service

Beatport, owned by SFX Entertainment, currently operates as an iTunes-style digital music store specialising in dance music.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Beatport will turn Beatport.com in to a "free, ad-supported music streaming service", while keeping Beatport Pro running as the download store.

It's understood that Beatport has yet to sign deals with major music labels such as Universal, Sony Music Group and Warner Music Group, but much of Beatport's catalogue comes from independent labels.

The service is expected to provide users with "event information, artist profiles, and, potentially, live-streamed performances".

Beatport has yet to confirm the news itself so until then, launch dates are unclear.

The streaming service would be entering a market already dominated by several big names, including Spotify and Deezer, along with CD-quality specialists, Qobuz and Tidal.

And it's a busy market, with the likes of Technics Tracks and even Bose set to launch music streaming services in 2015.

[via Engadget and FactMag]

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.

Latest in Streaming & Entertainment
Lucknow Super Giants' Marcus Stoinis plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match ahead of Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 Indian Premier League
DC vs LSG live stream: how to watch IPL cricket online, Delhi win toss and bowl first
Kolkata Knight Riders' Rinku Singh plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9, 2023. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP) (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
IPL live stream 2025: how to watch Indian Premier League cricket online from anywhere, teams, schedule, GT vs PBKS
Qobuz
Qobuz reveals average payout per stream – and claims it is higher than rivals
George Benson Give Me the Night album cover
This Quincy Jones-produced disco tune has become my go-to test track – and taught me a valuable lesson about hi-fi, too
A woman flicking through stacks of vinyl records in a Rough Trade shop.
Vinyl records and music streaming both hit landmark highs – but the one growing faster in revenue may surprise you
Google TV Streamer video streamer
Google TV Streamer
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position