TikTok Exits Music Streaming: Implications for the Market

: TikTok exits the music streaming business, creating opportunities for competitors. Spotify likely benefits most from TikTok’s departure. TikTok’s younger user base may not have been interested in paid music streaming. Forget Disney, instead look at ‘The Next Nvidia’ as the stock…

Published October 9, 2024, 9:30am ET · 2 min read

A large digital screen on a grand, light-colored stone building displays the bright green Spotify logo and wordmark against a dark background. Two American flags hang below the screen. In the foreground, out of focus, a person with blonde hair in a dark coat walks left, and another person in a dark jacket walks right, holding a phone. The building features ornate architectural details and arched windows.
The Spotify logo is displayed prominently on a Wall Street building. This image symbolizes its market position as investors consider its future trajectory towards 2028. © Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Key Points:

  • TikTok exits the music streaming business, creating opportunities for competitors.
  • Spotify likely benefits most from TikTok’s departure.
  • TikTok’s younger user base may not have been interested in paid music streaming.
  • Forget Disney, instead look at ‘The Next Nvidia’ as the stock to propel your portfolio higher in 2025

TikTok’s Departure from Music Streaming

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  • TikTok, despite its massive user base, has decided to exit the music streaming business after just two years.
  • The move is surprising given TikTok’s dominance in video sharing, which seemed like a natural extension into music streaming.

Demographics and Market Crowding as Possible Reasons

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  • The primary users of TikTok, who are often younger, may not be the demographic willing to pay for music streaming services.
  • The music streaming market is already crowded, with major players like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Google via YouTube.

Winners and Losers in the Streaming Battle

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  • TikTok’s exit is a potential boon for Spotify and Apple Music, who may attract former TikTok Music users.
  • Spotify, in particular, stands to benefit the most as it is more focused on music streaming, while for Apple, this would be a minor gain given its vast ecosystem.

Considerations for Investors

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  • Investors might see an opportunity in Spotify, which could capitalize on the departure of a competitor in an already competitive market.
  • While Apple may also gain users, the impact on its overall business would be minimal compared to Spotify, where music streaming is central.

The Future of Music Streaming

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  • TikTok’s withdrawal highlights the challenges of entering an already saturated market, even for a platform with a huge user base.
  • The established players, especially those with diversified offerings like Google and Amazon, will likely continue to dominate, but Spotify remains a key player to watch.

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Austin Smith

Austin Smith is a financial publisher with over two decades of experience as an investor, analyst, and advisor. He covers stocks, ETFs, Artificial intelligence and personal finance for 24/7 Wall St. Previously, he spent over a decade at The Motley Fool as a senior editor for Fool.com, portfolio advisor for Millionacres, and launched The Ascent to help reader take control of their personal finances.

His work has been featured on Fool.com, NPR, CNBC, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, AOL, Marketwatch, and many other publications. He is as an advisor to private companies, and co-hosts The AI Investor Podcast with Eric Bleeker. 

When not looking for investment opportunities, he can be found skiing, running, or playing soccer with his children. Learn more about Austin's investment approach here.

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