Mixcloud is a leading platform that hosts radio shows, DJ mixes and podcasts. In recent times they have been experimenting with different profit models and now they have announced new limitations to free users, along with a new subscription tier targetting their most dedicated users.
The new limits on non-paying users include:
- Only be able to fast forward through mixes (not backwards).
- Listen back limit to a mix, no more than three times over two weeks.
- No mixes that feature four tracks or more by the same artist
- No mixes more than three tracks from an album.
Mixcloud CEO’s Nikhil, Nico & Mat announced the changes via Medium Post saying “so that we can keep up with the costs of running a streaming service that puts artists and creators at its core, and so we can build a sustainable platform that will be here for you in the long term.. The announcement comes along with Mixcloud Premium, which will allow users to access all public shows across the platform without limits for $7.99 a month.
In 2018 they revealed plans for Mixcloud Select, a platform which would enable channel curators to charge fans for premium content – the pricing set by the channel and starting at $2.99.
The two new payment options mean if you only want to follow 1 or 2 users you can subscribe directly to them, but if you want to explore all the creators from the platform you can jump to a full membership.
The changes may prove effective to convert their most active free user base, but maybe aimed at satisfying complex terms with rightsholders in order to keep their license fee’s lower.
The company noted in the post “the royalty costs we pay for every person who listens for free have steadily risen. Today, the revenue that we make from advertising simply doesn’t come close to covering these costs”
