UPDATED 07:42 EDT / SEPTEMBER 21 2011

Pandora, Media Clouds Expand Globally

More and more connected devices are shipped out to consumers every day, and content streaming is one of the main things they’re used for. That’s why analysts credit so much of the big data explosion to things like online video, and why services such as music streaming platform Pandora are deciding to boost their strategy by looking for customers overseas.  According to a fresh report, Pandora is hiring a new China CEO. It has narrowed down the list to a few candidates, according to sources, who also stated that we may hear an official announcement from the company sometime in the near future.

“To operate in China, Pandora will of course need the requisite operating licenses, before it even goes about signing licensing deals. One option is for the US firm to work with a Chinese partner. Also critically important, if Pandora decides to make this a paid-for service, is choosing a popular and easy payment method – a failure which has severely limited Apple’s iTunes music store in China.”

The subscription-based music service already has some local competitors, including web giant Baidu.

Pandora’s latest update is an interesting one considering that it is the latest to join a number of content streaming services that have decided to expand to new markets. Pandora rival Spotify is one example.  They’ve had a roaring good time in the UK, several months before crossing the pond.

Netflix is headed in the other direction with its global expansion. The company revealed plans to extend access to its library to 43 new nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Users in Spain and the U.K will also be able to become customers before the second half of next year.

Competitor Hulu, currently up for sale by its co-owners, has taken a similar approach. The service will soon become available in Canada as well as Japan, though users in the latter country will only be able to access older content on a subscription-only basis.


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