Free Version of Xbox Music to be Axed

The free version of Xbox Music, Microsoft's Spotify-like streaming service, will be axed within weeks.

Following the removal of the ad-supported free version, on December 1, the only way to access Xbox Music will be to sign up to a paid subscription. Users will have unlimited access to Microsoft's library of millions of tracks, providing they pay $10 (or £9) per month.

"We are focusing Xbox Music to deliver the ultimate music purchase and subscription service experience for our customers," the corporation said on its FAQ page. There was no further explanation as to why the company is abandoning its ad-supported service.

The move comes despite one of the leading music streaming services, Spotify, continuing to offer limited music access for free.

For the monthly fee, Xbox Music offers unlimited access to its music servers, as well as offline listening on PC, tablet, and smartphones. For Xbox One and Xbox 360 users specifically, the service allows users to stream from a library of about 90,000 music videos.

A free 30-day trial is still available.