ByteDance has set up a team of more than 100 people to work on a Spotify-like music streaming app for its overseas users, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports.
Citing an unnamed source close to the matter, SCMP said the music app will be launched “soon”. A ByteDance spokesperson declined to comment on the SCMP report when contacted by KrASIA.
TikTok has recently launched a music talent discovery program in Japan and South Korea with 21 music labels.
It’s not immediately clear if the music talent discovery program and the potential launch of the music streaming app are part of the ongoing negotiation between ByteDance and major music labels.
The Beijing-based company behind viral short-video app TikTok, also knows as Douyin to Chinese users, has reportedly been asked by international music labels, such as Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music, to pay more royalties.