Report: Amazon prepares music streaming service

Amazon is reportedly preparing a standalone music streaming service, in a move that promises to further expand its existing entertainment options.

According to a Reuters report, the Spotify and Apple Music-rivalling service will cost US$9.99 per month and will likely launch towards the end of summer or early autumn with label deals currently being finalised.

Citing two people with knowledge of the situation, the report claims that the new service aims to boost appeal of Amazon’s voice-controlled speaker, Amazon Echo, which is currently available in the US.

The launch would also likely mark the further unbundling of Amazon’s catch-all Prime service, which already offers ad-free albums, playlists and stations via Prime Music.

The news comes two months after Amazon went head-to-head with Netflix by launching Prime Video as a standalone, pay-monthly service for the first time in the US.

At the same time, Amazon started to offer Amazon Prime – which was previously available for a flat annual fee – for US$10.99 per-month.

Prime Music is currently only available as part of the wider Amazon Prime offering – which also includes unlimited one-day delivery on physical goods, unlimited photo storage, Prime Video access and early access to ‘lightning deals’.