Tencent’s music app Joox sees surge in karaoke users as virus brings Hong Kong’s love for singing online
- Joox, which has a music library of 30 million tracks, aims to compete with global rivals by using its knowledge of local markets in the region
The karaoke function on Tencent Holdings’ Joox music streaming app has recorded a 50 per cent surge in users, according to the Chinese internet and social media giant, as the coronavirus outbreak changes the way people consume music and entertainment, and the way they pay for it.
The app recorded an increase in both users singing karaoke and those watching, Poshu Yeung, vice-president of Tencent’s international business group, said in an interview on Thursday. Users are also watching more live streaming by more than a dozen local artists performing online in “marathon-style” concerts, he added.
“It aligns with the industry trend where video-related content is receiving a boost during the pandemic,” Yeung said.
Tencent first launched the Joox app in Hong Kong in 2015 amid a move to tap burgeoning demand for digital music across the Asia-Pacific, and it now operates in five other international markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and South Africa.
At stake is a US$3 billion music streaming market in Asia in 2020, according to estimates by Statista, which has attracted international players including Spotify and YouTube’s music service. Last year Spotify launched a slimmed-down version of its music streaming app for emerging markets, aiming to win users with speedier and easier installations.