View source for Mixcloud

{{short description|British music streaming service}}
{{Infobox dot-com company
| name                 = Mixcloud
| logo                 = Mixcloud logo 2020.svg
| logo_size            =
| company_type         = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| website_type = {{hlist|[[Streaming media#Music streaming platforms|Music streaming]]|[[Internet community]] ([[Community|Social community]])}}
| foundation           = {{start date and age|2008}}
| founder              = Nikhil Shah<br>Nico Perez<br>Mat Clayton<br>Sam Cooke
| area_served          = Worldwide
| location_city        = [[London]]
| location_country     = England
| registration         = Optional; required to upload
| launch_date          = {{start date and age|2008}}
| current_status       = Active
| url                  = {{URL|https://www.mixcloud.com/}}
}}

'''Mixcloud''' is a British online music [[Streaming media|streaming]] service that allows for the listening and distribution of radio shows, [[DJ mix]]es and [[podcast]]s, which are [[crowdsource]]d by its registered users.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7944783.stm |title=Four pioneering web innovations |author=Darren Waters |date=15 March 2009 |work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref>

In April 2018, Mixcloud announced that it raised $11.5 million from WndrCo LLC,<ref name="WndrCo">{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/mixcloud-wndrco-funding-jeffrey-katzenberg-1202753945/ |title=Jeffrey Katzenberg-Led WndrCo Invests $11.5 Million in U.K. Audio Streamer Mixcloud |magazine=[[Variety.com]] }}</ref> a [[holding company]] based in Los Angeles and San Francisco that invests in media and technology businesses for the long term. The financing will fund Mixcloud's expansion globally.

==History==
Mixcloud was founded as a [[startup company]] through the [[lean startup]] process in 2008 by Nikhil Shah and Nico Perez, who met at the [[University of Cambridge]].<ref name="TechCrunch1">{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/09/18/exclusive-mixcloud-launches-the-youtube-of-radio-on-monday/ |title=Exclusive: Mixcloud launches the 'Youtube of radio' on Monday |author=Basheera Khan |date=18 September 2009 |work=[[TechCrunch]] }}</ref> Developers Mat Clayton and Sam Cooke were added to the team in its early stages.<ref name="TechCrunch1"/> As of 2012, Mixcloud was reported to have over 3 million active users<ref name="ThinkingDigital">{{cite web |url=http://www.newmedianow.co.uk/2012/05/18/the-thinking-digital-interviews-mat-clayton-mixcloud/ |title=The Thinking Digital Interviews: Mat Clayton, Mixcloud |date=18 May 2012 |publisher=[[The Thinking Digital]] |access-date=13 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223074533/http://www.newmedianow.co.uk/2012/05/18/the-thinking-digital-interviews-mat-clayton-mixcloud |archive-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and over 500,000 registered [[Facebook]] application users. In October 2017, Mixcloud signed direct licensing agreement with Warner Music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/mixcloud-signs-direct-licensing-deal-with-warner-music/|title=Mixcloud signs direct licensing deal with Warner Music {{!}} Complete Music Update|website=www.completemusicupdate.com|access-date=2017-11-08}}</ref>

==Features==
Mixcloud allows all users to browse and stream audio content uploaded on its site. Registered users can upload content such as radio shows, DJ mixes and [[podcast]]s, as well as promote and distribute their content through Mixcloud's own [[social networking]] widget. As of November 2011, Mixcloud lifted its 100-megabyte limit on uploaded content and allows uploads of 500 megabytes.<!--- Reference Mixcloud Blog once it becomes unblocked. ---> Registered members may join a group, a collection of other users who share a common interest, which will periodically update the user when new content related to the group is available.

Mixcloud also provides an [[API]] which users can search, upload and embed its content.

Users may also share podcasts and mixes via Facebook or [[Twitter]].

Mobile apps are available for both [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].<ref name="TechCrunch2">{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/01/mixcloud-puts-its-youtube-for-radio-on-iphone/ |title=Mixcloud brings its 'YouTube-for-radio' to iPhone |date=1 June 2011 |work=[[TechCrunch]] }}</ref>

In December 2018, Mixcloud announced a new form of subscription called "fan-to-creator". Thanks to this feature subscribers can support a favourite artist directly and contribute to the licensing cost of the music played in the shows. This innovation is an attempt by the company to find a new ways of funding.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/04/mixcloud-select/|title=Mixcloud rolls out 'fan-to-creator' subscription service|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2018-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Legality==
Mixcloud prohibits its users from downloading audio content from its website for licensing reasons. Co-founder Nikhil Shah commented on this restriction: "Not offering downloads has been a challenge for us in terms of persuading the content creators to use a platform like ours."<ref name="MusicWeek">{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/mixcloud-founder-claims-service-can-be-a-piracy-beater/046136 |title=Mixcloud founder claims service can be a piracy beater |date=2 July 2011 |publisher=[[MusicWeek]] }}</ref>

He also compared Mixcloud to the model of its competitor [[Spotify]]: "So it's very similar to the Spotify model. Spotify's competitor is illegal downloading and they are trying to cannibalise illegal downloading by offering a streaming-only and superior alternative."<ref name="MusicWeek"/>

According to Mixcloud's main website, the platform is licensed only to provide its audio content through streaming, such that royalties are attributed to their respective artists.<!--- Reference Mixcloud FAQ once it becomes unblocked. --->

Mixcloud also requires its users to attribute their audio uploads with correct Artist and Song [[metadata]] in order to preserve [[intellectual property]] rights.<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2009-10/09/british-entrepreneurs-mix-up-online-radio.aspx |title=British entrepreneurs mix up online radio |date=8 October 2009 |magazine=[[Wired UK|Wired]] |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192141/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2009-10/09/british-entrepreneurs-mix-up-online-radio.aspx |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Mixcrate]]
*[[Pandora Radio|Pandora]]
*[[PLAY.FM]]
*[[Rdio]]
*[[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]]
*[[SoundCloud]]
*[[Spotify]]

{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Music digital distribution platforms}}

[[Category:Internet properties established in 2008]]
[[Category:Online music and lyrics databases]]
[[Category:DJ mixes]]
[[Category:Music streaming services]]
[[Category:British music websites]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in England]]