Last.fm goes independent after breaking up with Paramount Skydance

Source: Engadget

Announcement

Last.fm announced on its forum that it is an independent company again, nearly two decades after being acquired by CBS. The post reads:

“Today, Last.fm begins a new chapter as an independent company. Ownership has changed, but the product you use every day has not.”

The company also confirmed that it will keep its current team.

What stays the same

• Accounts and scrobbles – All existing accounts and recorded plays (scrobbles) will remain unchanged.
• Data and privacy settings – Your personal data, privacy preferences, and any Pro subscription details will be retained.
• Billing information – If you pay for premium features, your billing information will stay on file.

When you play a track on a connected streaming service (e.g., Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music), Last.fm will continue to “scrobble” the song and log it to your profile exactly as it does today.

History

• 2002 – Last.fm launched as an internet radio station.
• Early 2000s – Scrobbling was introduced after merging with the team that created the tracking process.
• 2007 – Acquired by CBS Interactive for $280 million, which later became part of the merged Paramount Skydance Corporation.
• 2014 – Discontinued its $3‑a‑month subscription radio service to focus on tracking listening habits across other providers.

The company has promised to share more details about the transition in the coming weeks, but for now, everything on Last.fm will work “exactly as it did yesterday.”