Looking Beyond Hardware, Sonos Launches Its First Streaming Service

Sonos launched its first audio service Tuesday, called Sonos Radio. It promises free and exclusive music programming across a few dozen stations. From a report: Many of these stations will be supported by advertising — a new business for Sonos, which the company is entering at a time when the ad business is feeling the pressure of an evolving economic downturn. However, for Sonos, the radio service also represents a new opportunity to lean more heavily into product partnerships like its existing relationship with Ikea, and expand to new product categories, including automotive. As such, it’s an interesting example for a consumer electronics company using services not only to generate revenue but also as a way to expand its core business.