Chinese tech behemoth ByteDance is testing a new music app called Resso in Indonesia and India to springboard off the popularity of its viral video-sharing platform, TikTok, Bloomberg reported.
The app is currently in its beta phase and has been downloaded by around 27,000 users via Google Play and the iOS App Store, according to data compiled by Sensor Tower.
Resso displays lyrics in real-time and allows users to share their favorite parts of a song on social media platforms. Users can also leave comments under individual songs to spark or join discussions with community members. Moreover, Resso also generates music-accompanied GIFs and video clips.
Resso offers paid plans where users can download tracks and listen to music without being interrupted by ads. The subscription costs USD 1.70 in India and USD 3.50 in Indonesia. Both prices are the same as Spotify’s Premium service in each country.
Streaming music—as well as podcasts and audiobooks—is becoming popular in South and Southeast Asia, reviving the format of casual audio entertainment offered by radio broadcasts. In Indonesia, Resso faces competition from YouTube Music, Tencent’s Joox, and Spotify. In India, the app will have to compete with Spotify and YouTube Music, as well as Hindi-focused music streaming platforms like Saavn and Hungama.
Resso has secured rights from Indian labels T-Series and Times Music, but the company reportedly hasn’t acquired rights deals with Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment—the companies that control the majority of popular music. Partnership with those companies is crucial for Resso if it wants to compete with globally established platforms.
ByteDance is also developing a music streaming platform with social network functionality called Yinyuebang for the China market. It does not have a mobile app yet.