ROXi, a U.K.-based music video streaming app, is planning to launch in the U.S. soon with both a free ad-supported service and a fee-based, ad-free premium version.
ROXi says it is only available at present in the U.K. and Ireland but plans to expand into other countries, with a U.S. launch slated for this quarter.
The ad-free premium service will cost $8.99 per month, according to Billboard.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The app, which will offer voice-activated music videos, will be available on more than 90% of smart TVs including Samsung, LG, Vizio, Roku, Comcast, TCL, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV and Android TV. "Consumers will be able to command their TV to 'Play Taylor Swift' with their voice. The TV will then automatically turn on and start playing Taylor Swift’s music videos," ROXi said in a statement.
A way to save
You can sign up to be notified of when ROXi launches by answering 13 questions at the ROXi site — the first being "Do you live in the U.K. or Republic of Ireland?" — and entering your email address.
The launch of a free music video streaming service follows price bumps at several rivals, including music streaming giants Spotify and Apple Music.
Spotify raised prices of its premium plans in July 2023, and Apple raised the price of Apple Music in October 2022. An individual premium plan will now cost you $10.99 per month at either Spotify or Apple Music.
That makes ROXi's $8.99 per month price point a fairly attractive way to save money.
However, not everything is created equal. ROXi's service is only offered on smart TVs, while Spotify and Apple Music can be played on any smart device, including smartphones.
Other ways to save
Another consideration is to explore other services and take advantage of deals and free trials.
Tidal, for example, offers a high-fidelity streaming platform that provides more than 100 million songs and 650 thousand videos. Tidal is now offering a 30-day free trial, after which its ad-free prices start at $10.99 per month.
Related Content
-
Focus on These Five Critical Areas in Retirement PlanningWorried about how you'll pay for your retirement? It can help to structure your finances around five key areas: taxes, income, medical, legacy and investments.
-
Is Downsizing Right for Your Retirement?The lower costs of a smaller home in retirement might sound appealing, but be ready for the trade-offs that come with making this big decision.
-
Visa, Mastercard's Swipe Fee Settlement Might Save You Money, For NowThe limited-time agreement directly benefits merchants, which can potentially pass savings on to consumers.
-
New List Out On Medicare Part B Drugs Eligible for RebatesSome Medicare beneficiaries may pay lower coinsurance rates from April 1 to June 30 for the drugs, HHS says.
-
Use An iPhone? You May Be Hearing From A Class-Action Lawsuit GroupA handful of suits against the iPhone maker seek to crack down on everything from app store purchases to messaging.
-
Capital One/Discover: What's In Their Wallet For You?Push back on Capital One's planned merger with Discover is growing with one group of consumer advocates calling for a public hearing.
-
Lawmakers: Nix Social Security Offsets For Seniors In Student Loan DefaultOffsetting Social Security benefits to pay for defaulted student loans can be devastating for some beneficiaries, lawmakers say.
-
Stellantis Recalls 285K Vehicles Over Airbag ProblemsDefective airbag inflators on certain Chrysler and Dodge vehicles could rupture and cause injury or death, NHTSA says.
-
HHS Funding Secured As Major Government Shutdown AvoidedWith passage of the fiscal 2024 appropriations package, Medicare and Social Security are among the key agencies to receive funding through September 30.
-
State Farm To Exit Homeowner Renewal Policies in CaliforniaState Farm plans to send non-renewal notices to 72,000 home and apartment policyholders starting this July.
