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Facebook preparing to take on Spotify with music-streaming service

Facebook is planning to launch its own music-streaming service to take on Spotify and Apple Music, according to a new report.

Last week we heard that Facebook was talking to music labels with a view to getting into music in some way.

That report seemed a little vague, but now Music Ally has filled in some of the blanks.

While Facebook will soon expand its ad-supported video trial to include music videos, it claims, the true goal is for Facebook to follow that with the launch of its own music-streaming service.

According to sources speaking off the record, Facebook will start by setting up a royalties system on those music videos. It will also put in place a YouTube-like Content ID system, which will help artists (or those that represent them) to identify unofficial use of such videos and either take them down or claim them and their ad revenue.

Talks for this video system are said to be at an advanced stage, so we can expect a rollout in the coming months.

Read More: Apple Beats 1: 12 hours listening to Apple’s internet radio station


However, it’s what comes next that will really stir things up in the music industry. Precise launch details and pricing models for Facebook’s music-streaming service haven’t yet been worked out, but apparently it is going to happen.

The report’s suggestions appear to run counter to the cash-rich company’s usual tendency of acquiring companies in areas of interest, such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Oculus VR. Sources claim Facebook is willing to build its own music service.

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