Shaw Communications has struck an accord with digital music streaming service Rdio.
As part of the deal, Shaw Ventures made a financial investment in Rdio’s holding company, Pulser Media, Inc. The agreement included marketing, content and promotional elements.
Rdio’s digital music service app, which features over 20 millions songs and genre-based customer stations, allows users to discover, play and share music online, on phones and offline. It also allows users to follow friends and artists to see what they’re playing.
“Canada is Rdio’s second largest market and is a huge priority for us. As one of the most diverse countries in the world, Canada has a rich and varied musical landscape of musicians and music-lovers, so we’re very excited to align with Shaw to become the top music service in Canada,” said Rdio CEO Anthony Bay.
New users in Canada can sign up on Rdio’s web site to start listening instantly for free on the Internet and get a 14-day trial of Rdio Unlimited with full access everywhere, including mobile devices.
“As Canada’s leading network and content experience company, we believe our customers should have access to the best content available,” said Shaw Communications CEO Brad Shaw. “Rdio is the best available digital streaming music experience and a great complement to our leading broadband and Shaw Go WiFi services. Our partnership with Rdio will develop great offers that will enable Shaw customers and everyone across the country to enjoy this service.”
The deal with Shaw came on the heels of a recent, similar agreement that Rdio entered into with Grupo Bandeirantes, a company that includes Brazil’s top radio stations, newspapers and magazines, television networks and out-of-home media.
Launched four years ago, Rdio is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by Janus Friis, the co-creator of Skype, and is currently available in 51 countries.
