Pandora is hoping to launch in the UK later this year.
It will likely bring a dual model to the market: a Spotify-style interactive service based on Rdio’s old frame, and its classic ad-funded internet radio offering.
Pandora will have some stiff competition in the UK, even just on the radio front. Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music have all launched radio channels in the market, alongside the likes of MixRadio – owned by Japanese social company LINE.
Now Amazon Prime Music can be added to that list, although like Apple Music, its digital radio platform doesn’t come for free.
The UK version of Prime Music has added hundreds of ad-free internet radio stations alongside an X-Ray Lyrics feature for Prime members.
“This is another feature for prime members to discover great music at no additional cost.”
Steve Bernstein, Amazon
The stations, based on artists and genres, are available to Prime Music users on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire HD/HDX, Mac, PC and the web.
“With Stations we’ve introduced another feature for Prime members to discover great music at no additional cost to their membership,” said Steve Bernstein, Director of EU Digital Music at Amazon.
“Whether customers are on the move, at work or entertaining, there’s no shortage of choice with hundreds of Prime Music Stations to choose from. And with the skip, thumbs up and thumbs down functions, customers can take full control of their stations and adapt them to their music tastes.”
Meanwhile, X-Ray Lyrics displays song lyrics on screen while tracks play. That service is available on Kindle, Fire TV, iOS and Android,
Amazon launched Prime Music in the UK six months ago. It arrived in the US last summer.
A Prime membership typically costs £79 a year in the UK market.
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