That does it for me
Last.fm had always been one of my favourite web services. Indeed, it was the first "social network" I ever joined. I've seen them go through a lot of transformations over the years, from the new website design, to being bought out by CBS, but I've always supported them. I have been a paying subscriber on and off for a while now. But the announcement they made today is just too much for me to bear.
I don't care that there's still plenty for free users to do, I don't care that the subscription cost is affordable, what I do care about though is the fact that it remains free in the three countries that could probably best afford it, while everyone else gets the shaft. Are you telling me there's not enough of an ad market to support free radio for Canadians? Because I'd have to call bullshit on that claim.
I'm sorry last.fm, but this is the last straw. I will not pay for something that has always been free for me, especially since paying subscribers no longer get all the same benefits they used to. Your service is cheap, but it's still not worth the money, so I will not be renewing my subscription until we get our choice back, or you bring more to the table.
Trackback URL for this post:
http://emington.thenewagemedia.com/trackback/1021
Posted: March 24, 2009 at 2:50pm
Comments
March 24, 2009 at 3:12pm
I only got to know about it after you tweeted this. I only began using last.fm again after months of not visiting it since their last redesign.
Now unfortunately they bring this change.
I am looking for alternatives. You have any suggestions ?
March 24, 2009 at 3:24pm
None that I know of, sorry. Last.fm was pretty much the only good free radio site available here.
March 31, 2009 at 9:31am
I agree with you!
I've deleted my account on last.fm because of this. Yes I can lack it at the beginning, but there are many music network, i.e. I like youtube and R&R World http://www.randrworld.com - new network and not so many music for now, but I like the design and the concept!!
They are completely free and they plan to make better radio than last.fm
You can at least try it
March 24, 2009 at 10:33pm
Announcement: People in rich countries will be able to use our site for free, people in poor countries have to pay.
WTF
How do we know you won't double the price every year? How do we know you won't remove half the songs? How do we know you won't restrict it to the US only next year?
As soon as a site goes back on even one ideal that its users have valued it is no longer trustworthy and doesn't deserve subscribers.
Moral: never subscribe to anything because any company that has a subscription business model WILL say "from now on you'll have to pay more" and/or "from now on you'll get less"... EVERY site does it... it's just a matter of time.
Post new comment