Stingray: Streaming audio more appealing than on-demand

Eric Boyko

Streaming audio is a more appealing business to be in than on-demand unless you are Apple or Google, according to Eric Boyko, CEO and founder of Stingray, which provides audio music services for TV operators.

Stingray had acquired TV audio channels, targeting pay TV subscribers that use their TV as a radio. “TV is where most people will listen to music,” he said. Speaking at the Cable Congress event in Warsaw yesterday, Boyko said that over 50% of people in the markets in which it is present listen to its channels.

Boyko said that the TV business in general is evolving towards streaming. In terms of audio services, he said that services that offered a ‘lean-back’ experience are more appealing to consumers than those requiring interaction.

“We are strong believers in lean-back music,” he said, differentiating the company from suppliers of on-demand audio services. Boyko said this space would continue to be dominated by Apple and Google.

Boyko said that Stingray had focused on the B2B space rather than go down the direct-to-consumer route. He said that the service would shortly overtake consumer services including Spotify and Pandora. “We feel that by September we should be number one in the world,” he said, beating Spotfiy and Pandora.

Boyko said that Stingray, which has completed 32 different acquisitions over the last year, was branching out into video, adding music video content to its core audio offering.

Stingray had acquired TV audio channels, targeting pay TV subscribers that use their TV as a radio. “TV is where most people will listen to music,” he said. Speaking at the Cable Congress event in Warsaw yesterday, Boyko said that over 50% of people in the markets in which it is present listen to its channels.

Boyko said that the TV business in general is evolving towards streaming. In terms of audio services, he said that services that offered a ‘lean-back’ experience are more appealing to consumers than those requiring interaction.

“We are strong believers in lean-back music,” he said, differentiating the company from suppliers of on-demand audio services. Boyko said this space would continue to be dominated by Apple and Google.

Boyko said that Stingray had focused on the B2B space rather than go down the direct-to-consumer route. He said that the service would shortly overtake consumer services including Spotify and Pandora. “We feel that by September we should be number one in the world,” he said, beating Spotfiy and Pandora.

Boyko said that Stingray, which has completed 32 different acquisitions over the last year, was branching out into video, adding music video content to its core audio offering.