Following the announcement that Microsoft will let go 18,000 employees, it looks as though the MixRadio business will also be another casualty of the streamlining. Speaking to Music Ally, head of MixRadio Jyrki Rosenberg said that the company is planning a spin-off of the music service — which was brought into Microsoft with the Nokia acquisition — into a separate company.
Though the fate of the service was initially unknown, thankfully for Windows Phone fans, Rosenberg was quick to explain that ties between Microsoft and MixRadio will remain tight, and the service will continue to be pre-loaded on Windows Phones going forward. What spinning out into an independent company offers, however, is a clearer path to offering MixRadio on Android and iOS as well.
It also means that the current model of offering unlimited ad-free listening may need to see a change-up as well since Microsoft will no longer be paying the bills, but that strategy is being kept a secret right now. Rosenberg explained that he has talked to plenty of investors who are interested in the proposition of being part of MixRadio's new independent business operation.
Source: Music Ally; Thanks, Buster, for the tip!
