Gaana (music streaming service)

This article is about a commercial music streaming service. For the Madrasi genre of music, see Gaana.

Gaana is an Indian subscription-based commercial music streaming service. It was launched in April 2010 and is currently owned by ENIL.^[2] It offers both Indian and international music content. Its entire Indian music catalog was available to users worldwide until 2023, when access to the music library was restricted based on geolocation of subscribers. Gaana features music from 21 Indian languages including the major languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Urdu, Odia, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Maithili, Malayalam and other Indian regional languages.^[3]

Gaana

Gaana's Android app
Developer	Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL)
Launch date	April 2010; 14 years ago (2010-04)
Platform(s)	Web browser Windows Android macOS iOS
Members	150 million (2019)[1]
Pricing model	Premium version: ₹99 (US$1.10) per month
Availability	India limited worldwide
Website	gaana.com

Gaana allows users to make their playlists public so that they can be seen by other users.^[4] They can view and favorite playlists. Its mobile app was launched for Android, iOS and Windows.^[5] Gaana is priced at ₹99 (US$1.10) per month (within India) and not available outside India. Gaana became a subscription-only service in 2022 after failing to secure fresh funds or find a buyer.^[6][7] In 2023, it was acquired by ENIL in a slump sale.^[8]

History

The domain name, Gaana.com, was first registered on 21 June 2005 and was launched in April 2010.

Gaana.com formed a partnership in February 2013 with South Indian Music Companies Association to acquire rights to music from 79 different labels. Consequently, Gaana.com had access to more than 45+ million songs. Gaana generated an annual revenue of US$5 million for Times Internet.

Micromax bought a stake in Gaana.com in October 2015.^[9] In February 2018, Tencent also backed the company with an investment of $115 million.^[10]

In May 2015, Gaana launched gaming innovation in their music streaming app.^[11] The music app has also introduced voice assistant feature.^[12]

On 8 July 2020, Gaana debuted a short video platform called HotShots^[13] after the Government of India banned Bytedance-owned TikTok.

Ganna was acquired by Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) for ₹25 lakh (about US$30,000).^[14]

In December 2024, Mahindra & Mahindra partnered with Gaana to provide integrated in-car audio streaming for its upcoming Mahindra electric SUVs, the BE.06 and XUV.e9.^[15][16]

References

1. "Gaana claims 100 million MAUs, launches video and artists focused products". entrackr.com. 24 April 2019.
2. "Entertainment Network India Ltd to acquire Gaana".
3. www.ETBrandEquity.com. "Prashan Agarwal joins Gaana.com as chief operating officer - ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
4. "Gaana.com records 1.4 million unique visitors in launch month". The Economic Times. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
5. "Gaana on song, new initiative 'Originals' clocks 20 mn streaming in five weeks". The Economic Times. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
6. "Fighting to Survive, Tencent-Backed Music App Gaana Turns to Subscriptions". 9 September 2022.
7. Kalra, Aditya; Vengattil, Munsif (9 September 2022). "EXCLUSIVE Fighting to survive, Tencent-backed Indian music app Gaana turns to subscriptions". Reuters.
8. "'Gaana' acquisition to boost ENIL growth'expand capacities".
9. "Micromax buys stake in Gaana, to integrate app with its smartphones". The Indian Express. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
10. "Tencent leads in Gaana's $115 million funding round". The Economic Times. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
11. "Gaana launches gaming innovation in music streaming app". The Economic Times. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
12. "Music app Gaana introduces voice assistant feature - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
13. "Gaana debuts a short video platform HotShots". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
14. "Exclusive: Gaana acquired by Radio Mirchi's parent for Rs 25 lakh".
15. "Mahindra Partners With Gaana For In-Car Audio For BE 6e And XEV 9e". Times Now News. 4 December 2024.
16. https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/mahindra-partners-with-gaana-to-redefine-in-car-audio-experience-in-be-6e-and-xev-9e-49374.htm

External links

• Official website