China’s Music Aficionados Lament Loss of Streaming Service Xiami

The Alibaba-backed company will suspend its operations after more than a decade due to “operational adjustments.”

One of China’s first music-streaming sites is pulling the plug next month after 12 years of entertaining millions of listeners.

Xiami Music will discontinue its services from Feb. 5 “due to operational adjustments,” the Alibaba-backed company said in a statement Tuesday. As of November, the streaming site had a database of 30 million songs and 9 million active monthly users, a small fraction compared with its top competitors.

“After 12 years of companionship, it’s hard to say goodbye,” the statement said. “The beautiful stories with you all will become the most treasured memories in our hearts.”

Founded in 2008, Xiami was one of the first digital music-streaming sites in the country, once recognized as the best music service in China. It became popular for providing a wide collection of alternative tunes and was hailed for supporting independent musicians.

The site was acquired by Alibaba in 2013, as the tech giant diversified its portfolio and ventured into the entertainment business.

Following Tuesday’s announcement, many users have taken to social media to stroll down memory lane with their beloved music service. Continue to read the full article here

 

– This article originally appeared on Sixth Tone