Bekraf to Launch Local Music Streaming App, Competes with Spotify
26 July 2016 17:52 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) in cooperation with Telkomsel, is currently planning to launch an online streaming music service. The service, called 'Gempita', is expected to be able to compete with Spotify and iTunes and "will be released at the end of this year," according to Bekraf Infrastructure Deputy Hari Sungkari on Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
The app is said to focus on music produced by Indonesian musicians. "It will also include foreign music also, but will mainly focus on local [music]," said Hari. Gempita is also expected to protect Indonesian musicians from piracy.
The service is also said to apply cheaper subscription tariff. However, Hari was reluctant to mention the exact price. "It will certainly be cheaper than iTunes, probably Rp 50,000," Hari added.
Meanwhile for musicians, the new online streaming music service will provide a more transparent royalty payment system. Hari explained that each musician will receive Rp 50 for each song played by users and musicians will be able to view how many people are listening to their music.
"We could not stop Indonesian musicians to enlist with foreign online streaming application, but it would be difficult to check [how many times their songs were played]," said Hari.
BAGUS PRASETIYO
