TikTok Music To Shut Down Worldwide In November

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has announced today the global shutdown of its music streaming service, TikTok Music. According to the notice on the service’s website, TikTok Music will cease operations on November 28, 2024.

“We are sorry to inform you that TikTok Music will be closing on 28 November 2024,” the notice read, marking the end of the platform’s attempt at music streaming.

Subscribers are adviced to take action before the shutdown. Users can transfer their playlists to other platforms, such as TuneMyMusic, until October 28, 2024.

Refund requests can be submitted until November 28, 2024, and active subscribers will maintain access to premium services until their plans expire or the shutdown date arrives.

However, users who cancel subscriptions after September 24, 2024, will not be able to re-subscribe. ByteDance has provided guidelines on their notice on how to cancel subscriptions through Google Play and the Apple App Store.

The decision to shutter TikTok Music comes amidst a strained relationship between TikTok and the music industry. TechCrunch (TC) notes that the service has faced ongoing challenges with record labels.

Earlier this year, Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled its entire catalog from TikTok following disputes over royalty payments.

The move temporarily caused videos on the app to appear without audio, highlighting TikTok’s critical role in artist discovery and song promotion, as noted by TC.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that TikTok videos have been responsible for launching new artists and hits, a dynamic that has complicated its negotiations with major labels like UMG.

In response to UMG’s withdrawal, TikTok criticized the company for promoting a “false narrative.” as reported by TC.

Despite the tension, a truce was reached in March 2024, and by May, both parties signed a deal to reinstate UMG’s catalog on TikTok, as noted by WSJ.

The agreement included provisions to raise artist royalties and enhance protections against artificial intelligence misuse.

In parallel, TikTok is entangled in legal battles over potentially being banned in the U.S. According to TC, these legal issues could have influenced ByteDance’s decision to shut down TikTok Music, hindering its ability to expand into key markets like the U.S.

The closure of TikTok Music underscores the complex relationship between social media platforms and the music industry, where platforms like TikTok wield growing influence over artist visibility and revenue generation.