Telecom Italia (TIM) has made the decision to shut down its TIMmusic-branded music streaming service, marking the end of a nine-year journey. The platform, which was initially launched in June 2014, has been commonly bundled with several TIM plans, specifically those aimed at younger users, and provided subscribers with access to a vast catalog of over 50 million songs, ad-free listening, unlimited skips, and offline mode capabilities. The operator had also been offering premium access via a subscription costing around EUR 3.99-4.99 (US $4.28-5.35) per month.

In an effort to alleviate any inconvenience caused by the discontinuation of TIMmusic, mobile network customers impacted by the closure will be offered 100GB of data free of charge for three months.

Tarifica’s Take

This move by TIM aligns with the broader challenges faced by telecom companies in the realm of content provision, with cord-cutting and difficulties in negotiating broadcasting licenses for over-the-top (OTT) services impacting their video content offerings. The generous offer of 100GB of complimentary data, arguably a smaller financial burden compared to continuing the service, similarly punctuates the challenges of competing in a marketplace increasingly dominated by streaming services.

The closure of TIMmusic raises further questions about the future of content within telecom bundles. As telecom companies grapple with revenue challenges, it is plausible that content may become less viable in their service portfolios. While this notion remains speculative, it highlights a potential trend that could shape the industry in the coming years.