Google Play Music now offers free, ad supported service in Canada

Google Play Music offers Canadians access to 35 million songs now free but supported by ads

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google Play Music just announced that they will now be offering a free, advertising supported option for their music streaming service starting today and will also discontinue Songza, a music service which Google acquired and will now be integrated into Google Play Music.

The music streaming industry is really becoming more competitive. RDIO filed for bankruptcy a week ago and its technology was bought by Pandora. Apple shut down Beats Music two days ago, maybe to ensure it doesn't cannibalize its Apple Music service. Google Play Music follows suit by making the service more accessible while ending Songza, which it bought last year for $15 million.

Google Play Music now integrates Songza's smarts which determines music to stream depending on time of day, possible mood and anticipate context. Google's Daniel Cohen also said there will be a mix of human curated stations and algorithmic radio stations based on what songs users choose.

On the ad supported service, there will be some video ads as well as pre-roll ads in between songs. There will be a limit of five skips per playlist on the free tier as well.

Also announced today is the availability of Podcasts on Google Play Music. "we’re launching a portal for podcasters to start uploading their shows to Google Play Music before we open up the service to listeners in the coming months. Along with direct searches and browsing for podcasts, the service will connect new listeners with podcasts based on what they’re doing, how they’re feeling, or what they’re interested in. Similar to our contextual playlists for music, this will give podcast fans and new listeners a way of finding and listening to content that’s unique to Google Play Music. Podcasters in Canada will soon be able to upload shows now at g.co/podcastportal.

Google Play Music is available on Android, iOS and the web.