Music Choice Free Music Channels And Subscription Services

Music Choice is a long-standing television-based music service that has provided Americans with ad-free music channels for over 35 years. This service offers consumers access to hundreds of music channels and playlists through various platforms, with different levels of access depending on subscription packages and devices. Understanding how to access Music Choice's free offerings and what additional services may require payment is essential for consumers looking to enjoy music content without additional costs.

History and Overview of Music Choice

Music Choice, formerly known as Digital Cable Radio, holds the distinction of being the first digital audio broadcast service in the world. The service launched in test markets circa 1987 as an eight-channel audio service from Motorola's cable group. Over the years, it has evolved into a multi-platform interactive music network based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, reaching approximately 65 million households in North America via linear television channels and TV-on-demand services.

The service is owned by a consortium of major companies including Universal's Comcast, Charter Communications (through its acquisition of Time Warner Cable), Cox Communications, EMI Music, Microsoft, Arris International (formerly part of Motorola's cable technologies division), and Sony Corporation of America. Music Choice is distributed nationwide by major providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, DirecTV, and other smaller cable providers.

Free Access Through Cable Television

The most common way consumers access Music Choice is through their existing cable television packages. According to the official Music Choice website, the service provides "hundreds of ad-free channels and playlists for free with most cable packages." This means that for many households, Music channels are already included as part of their standard television subscription at no additional cost.

The service is distributed across cable providers in a freeze frame television format, where still slides appear on screen while the audio plays. These slides typically display banner advertising, which is noted as the only form of advertising shown on the service, as the audio programming remains commercial-free. Additional information such as "Did You Know?" factoids about artists, including birth dates and other details, may also be displayed.

Consumers can typically find Music Choice channels in higher channel numbers. One forum user mentioned that "if you have anything over the Basic package you should be able to get Music Choice from channel 1800 up." This suggests that while the basic cable package may not include Music Choice, most standard and premium packages do provide access to these music channels at no extra charge.

Mobile App Access and TV Everywhere

In addition to traditional cable access, Music Choice offers mobile access through its iOS and Android apps. The company released these apps starting in July 2008, allowing users to take their music content on the go. According to the official Music Choice website, the app gives users access to all 46 music channels with one tap on their mobile devices.

The mobile app operates on a TV Everywhere model, which requires users to login with their participating provider's TV Everywhere authentication credentials. This means that while the app itself is free to download, users must have a qualifying cable television subscription that includes Music Choice to access the content. The same access is also available on traditional desktop and laptop web browsers through the TV Everywhere authentication system.

The Music Choice mobile app not only provides access to the standard music channels but also offers additional content. According to one source, the app allows users to "watch your favorite music videos as well as MC Originals like 'Cosigned' and 'The F Word.'" All of this content is accessible for free through participating television providers.

Free Video on Demand Content

Music Choice offers free video on demand content to its subscribers. This includes hundreds of music videos from various recording artists, original programs, and artist features. Like the linear channels, the video on demand content is presented with still slides displaying banner advertising and "Did You Know?" factoids while the audio plays.

The video on demand service is available in both 480i/1080p resolution for video content and 480p (EDTV) for audio content. This free video on demand service enhances the basic music channel offering by providing visual content that subscribers can access at their convenience.

Additional Subscription Services

While Music Choice offers significant free content through basic cable packages and the TV Everywhere app, the company also provides several subscription services for users who want additional features and content. These services are available through extended Internet-connected services of cable set-top boxes and mobile apps.

Music Choice Karaoke is a domestic karaoke service providing access to instrumental versions of popular songs sorted into playlists with sing-along lyrics. This service allows users to practice their singing skills with professional backing tracks.

Music Choice Relax offers calming instrumentals and soothing nature imagery designed for relaxation. According to the official website, this service allows users to "slow things down with hours of calming instrumentals and landscapes created for the sole purpose of finding peace and calm."

Music Choice+ is a service exclusive to Xfinity and Cox Communications subscribers. It provides immediate access to any song and/or album in the Music Choice library, along with playlist creation, device downloads, and song skipping abilities. This enhanced service offers more control and flexibility than the standard free offerings.

Music Choice Holiday is another specialized service that allows users to "celebrate the most wonderful time of the year anytime." It provides ad-free hour-long Yule logs, enchanting landscapes, and ambient scenes for every holiday and every season.

Commercial Solutions

In addition to consumer offerings, Music Choice also provides commercial solutions for businesses. According to the official website, "Music Choice also offers commercial solutions that can help you create a custom music experience for your business." This service is designed for businesses looking to enhance their atmosphere with background music tailored to their specific needs.

Understanding Potential Fees

There appears to be some confusion among consumers about whether accessing Music Choice incurs additional fees. In a Verizon community forum, one user expressed surprise at encountering a message stating "using this widget you incur service fees" when trying to access Music Choice after not using it for nearly a year. This user wondered when the service stopped being free and how much it would cost.

Another forum user noted that they hadn't accessed Music Choice for a long time and observed that "tuning to the channels results in a re-direct to an app after a brief preview." They suggested that "as far as I can tell, the channels are free."

This discrepancy highlights the importance of understanding how one is accessing Music Choice content. The service itself is included with most cable packages at no additional cost, and the mobile app is free with proper authentication. However, certain access methods or specialized features may potentially incur fees, particularly if accessing content through third-party widgets or non-standard methods.

The official Music Choice website states that the service provides "hundreds of ad-free channels and playlists for free with most cable packages or through a paid subscription available on mobile devices and select Smart TVs." This suggests that while the core service is free with qualifying cable packages, accessing it on certain devices without a qualifying subscription may require payment.

Conclusion

Music Choice offers American consumers a substantial amount of free music content through traditional cable packages and authenticated mobile apps. The service has provided ad-free music channels for over 35 years and continues to evolve with new platforms and content offerings. While most standard cable packages include Music Choice at no additional cost, the company also offers several subscription services for users who desire enhanced features and specialized content.

Consumers should be aware that while the basic service is free with qualifying cable subscriptions, certain access methods or specialized features may potentially incur fees. The TV Everywhere authentication system ensures that mobile access remains free for existing cable subscribers, but those without qualifying subscriptions may need to explore other options for accessing Music Choice content.

For those interested in exploring Music Choice's offerings, checking with their cable provider about channel availability and downloading the mobile app with proper credentials are the best ways to access the service's free content. Additionally, the company's website provides information about specialized subscription services for users seeking more comprehensive music experiences.

Sources

1. Free Music Choice Boards for End-of-Year Review
2. Music Choice - Wikipedia
3. Official Music Choice Website
4. Music Choice App on AppleVis
5. Verizon Community Forum Discussion