Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is gearing up to take on industry leader Spotify Technology SA with the relaunch of its streaming app. The new app, set to be released on December 14th, will offer customers a host of new shows and features, all for the price of $10 per month. Looking to expand its reach beyond cars, the revamped app will be available on Apple Inc. and Google app stores, as well as through Amazon.com Inc.
The upgraded streaming service aims to attract a wider audience with an impressive lineup of new channels and shows. Music icons such as Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, John Mayer, and James Corden are set to grace the platform with exclusive content. Additionally, SiriusXM plans to collaborate with audio-book service Audible to offer new titles in 2021, along with an expanded selection of podcasts.
Jennifer Witz, CEO of SiriusXM, expressed her excitement about the new streaming experience, stating that it marks a significant moment in the company's history and heralds a new era of innovation.
Originally known for its satellite radio service in cars, SiriusXM is strategically broadening its horizons to meet the ever-evolving demands of its customer base. While access to all Sirius channels in a car and on streaming devices costs $24 per month, the streaming-only plans start at just $5 per month, with the higher-end plan offering a full range of programming for $11 per month.
As music streaming giant Spotify has been expanding into podcasts, SiriusXM's move to incorporate podcasts and audio books into their platform allows them to tap into this growing market and compete directly with Spotify. With this expansion, SiriusXM is clearly aiming to challenge Spotify's dominance in the streaming industry.
SiriusXM's announcement of the new and improved streaming app at a press event in New York signifies their commitment to offering unique and compelling content to their customer base. With its affordable pricing, exclusive shows, and plans for future collaborations, SiriusXM's revamped streaming app is poised to emerge as a strong contender in the streaming space, putting pressure on rivals like Spotify to up their game in order to retain their market share.