Pandora isn"t a household name in the music streaming segment, but it has been trying to offer an alternative to Spotify and other streaming giants at least in terms of pricing. Pandora"s latest attempt on that front is the addition of its Premium Family plan, which offers all of the Premium features to up to six members at $14.99 per month or $164.89 annually.
Each Premium Family member will be able to listen to ad-free music with a higher-quality audio compared to the free tier. They can also create radio stations, customize playlists, download music offline, and skip or replay songs anytime. Plus, the Premium Family plan offers exclusive access to "Our Soundtrack," a playlist updated regularly based on the unique preference of each member.
Keep in mind, though, that those currently subscribed to iTunes, Google Play, Roku, or Amazon Appstore won"t be able to upgrade to the Premium Family plan unless they cancel their existing subscription. Additionally, Pandora Plus Gift subscribers may not purchase a Premium Family plan but can join it as a member only. It"s important to note as well that Premium Family members with existing Plus Gift subscription will have their gift subscription deferred, though it will be automatically restored once they leave the plan.
The new offering is understood to be part of Pandora"s efforts to bolster its subscriber base after the company killed its unlimited free mobile listening plan in 2013, leaving users with only 40 hours of free streaming per month. Late last year, the streaming provider added the ability for all users to unlock its Premium feature for free after they watch a 15-second ad. Whether the Premium Family plan could help grow Pandora"s number of subscribers remains to be seen.