LiveOne has announced there are over 450,000 Tesla users tuning in to its music and entertainment streaming service, despite the automaker’s recent decision to end free premium music streaming for many owners. This shift, which took effect on December 1, 2024, required Tesla drivers to either subscribe to LiveOne or switch to the platform’s free, ad-supported tier.
The milestone comes just one month after Tesla’s policy shift, which ended complimentary LiveOne (formerly Slacker) accounts for those subscribed to Tesla’s Premium Connectivity service. Now, drivers who wish to continue enjoying ad-free, on-demand music must pay a subscription fee starting at $3.99 per month.
Despite the change, LiveOne reports that user engagement has actually increased, with Tesla drivers averaging over 50 minutes of in-car listening daily. This figure is nearly three times higher than the platform’s general engagement rate.
“I’m thrilled with the first 30 days of our upgraded Tesla partnership. This milestone demonstrates the strength of our B2B partnerships and the loyalty we’ve built with Tesla owners over the past 12 years,” said LiveOne CEO Robert Ellin.
The shift to a paid model hasn’t appeared to deter users. Tesla drivers can choose between LiveOne Plus, which costs $3.99 per month or $34.99 annually, and LiveOne Plus Premium at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. However, for those who prefer not to pay yet another monthly subscription fee, LiveOne’s ad-supported tier is free and has accounted for over 100,000 new sign-ups since the policy shift.
Tesla’s decision to remove free music streaming was initially met with skepticism, with many owners questioning whether they’d continue to use LiveOne. But it appears the new strategy has retained, and even grown, LiveOne’s Tesla audience.
