The day the music died: Xbox Music cancels free streaming feature

By Will Fulton Published October 23, 2014

Microsoft has announced that it is discontinuing the free Xbox Music streaming feature on December 1, 2014 in all countries where it is currently offered. The free service is survived by the premium, subscription Xbox Music Pass, which costs $10 per month. Microsoft is vague as to why the free option is being cancelled, only saying “We are focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers.”

Related: Hands on: Xbox Music’s web player fights Spotify with simplicity, not features

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MP3s that you added and music purchased through Xbox Music will still be accessible. Your playlists and collections will also carry over, but you can’t listen to them unless you purchase the music or have an Xbox Music Pass. More details of the upcoming change can be found over at the Xbox Support FAQ.

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Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

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