Amazon Rolls Into Australia-New Zealand Markets With Echo, Unlimited Music Plans

Amazon Music Unlimited will be available in Australia and New Zealand starting Feb. 1, when users can sign up for a free, 90-day trial, said Amazon Wednesday. Customers will have access to more than 45 million songs, hundreds of playlists and personalized stations, Amazon said. On Wednesday, the e-commerce giant began taking orders for the Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Plus in Australia and New Zealand, with shipments slated for early February along with availability through select retailers. Amazon Music Unlimited will be available through three monthly plan options: the Echo Plan, offering full access to Amazon Music Unlimited for $3.98 per month for a single Echo device; an individual plan for $9.55 or $14.33 for a six-member family plan. Music streaming service Pandora exited Australia and New Zealand last summer (see 1708010018), when interim CEO Naveen Chopra referred to the countries as "unique properties,” saying Pandora wasn’t able to bring its full portfolio to the market.