The high fidelity music streaming space is gathering momentum.
Earlier today, TIDAL revealed that it has added ‘millions’ of Master Quality tracks from Warner Music Group (WMG) to its catalog, while Amazon recently inked fresh partnerships with Universal Music Group and WMG to remaster thousands of songs and albums to Ultra HD streaming audio quality – and make them exclusively available on its Amazon Music HD service.
Today brings more news from this sector as speaker maker Sonos launches a new high-definition subscription radio streaming service, called Sonos Radio HD.
A subscription to Sonos Radio HD costs $7.99/£7.99 per month after a one-month free trial.
The new Sonos Radio HD service, which follows the launch of the ad-supported Sonos Radio streaming service in April, streams in lossless CD-quality audio and offers an expanded catalog of original genre radio stations from “expert curators” and iconic artists like Dolly Parton.
Sonos has collaborated with Parton to introduce Songteller Radio, an original station that the company claims will “continually evolve with Dolly’s hits, favorite artists, and special commentary on songs and moments throughout her career”.
In addition to Dolly Parton’s Songteller Radio, other new Sonos Radio HD artist-curated stations will be released regularly, including five new stations in early 2021.
Sonos Radio HD streams ad-free with skips and repeats, and is available on Sonos’ S2 app in the US and UK starting today (November 12) with additional countries to follow.
Sonos claims to have seen a 40% year-over-year increase in listening hours on its speakers globally, with radio representing 50% of all listening time on the platform.
The company’s ad-supported Sonos Radio service, which brings together over 60,000 broadcast radio stations, is now the fourth most listened to service on Sonos since its April 2020 launch (more than 100 streaming services are available on the Sonos platform).
Sonos Radio is available globally, pre-loaded in the Sonos app with original content streaming in 16 countries around the world, and beginning today, availability in Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium.
In addition to the artist-led stations, Sonos HD Radio will feature curators including Ann Powers for stations, Nashville Now and Americana Ramble.
Other new stations such as The Inner Now, Chill Beats and Mellow Morning aim to promote mindfulness, productivity and relaxation
The new service will also include what Sonos describes as “perfectly tuned sleep sounds” with six sleep stations featuring white noise, pink noise, brown noise, rain, rainforest and piano sounds, which have all been mastered by Sonos’ sound experience team and artist soundboard and tuned specifically for Sonos speakers.
“Sonos Radio is a result of our unwavering commitment to great sound experiences – thoughtfully curated music in incredible sound from the moment our customers set-up.”
Patrick Spence, Sonos
“Sonos Radio is a result of our unwavering commitment to great sound experiences – thoughtfully curated music in incredible sound from the moment our customers set-up,” said Patrick Spence, Sonos CEO.
“Sonos Radio HD means even more choice and better sound for Sonos customers. As we continue to innovate to make listening to your favorite audio content at home easier and more enjoyable, Sonos Radio.”
“I had so much fun getting to share little stories and tidbits from the songs that have made up my life and career.”
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton added: “I had so much fun getting to share little stories and tidbits from the songs that have made up my life and career.
“My new station brings to life some of my favorite music and stories, similar to those that readers will explore in my first lyric book, Songteller, as well as my new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas.
“Sharing stories with fans is very special to me – and hopefully new listeners will enjoy them too!”Music Business Worldwide