There's another big entry in the India streaming race as YouTube Music officially launches in the South Asian country. The YouTube Music app joins sister service Google Play, as well as fellow Western-based providers Amazon and Apple Music, in the sought-after market of 1.3 billion people.
Announced Tuesday (March 12) by global head of music Lyor Cohen, YouTube Music's launch in India comes a few weeks into industry leader Spotify's entry there (which was complicated by a much-publicized dispute with Warner Music over licensing). The assortment of international services will have to compete with leading domestic platforms Gaana and JioSaavn in the complex market, which boasts 22 major languages.
Costing 99 rupees ($1.42) a month, YouTube Music Premium gives users ad-free access to official songs, albums, singles and music videos, plus thousands of playlists across any genre or language. As in other markets, Premium allows fans to download content for offline listening and the service will also play videos in the background so other tasks can be performed on the phone.