Last.fm has announced it is once again an independent company, nearly two decades after being acquired by CBS. The music tracking service shared the news on its forum, reassuring users that their profiles and scrobbles will be preserved.
The move marks a significant shift for the platform, which was purchased by CBS in 2007 before being passed to Paramount and later Skydance. After years under corporate ownership, Last.fm is now striking out on its own.
According to the announcement, the current team will remain in place and the service will continue operating as normal. No details were provided about the financial terms of the separation or the ownership structure going forward.
The decision allows Last.fm to operate with greater autonomy, potentially enabling faster iteration and community-focused features. However, the company faces challenges in a competitive streaming landscape dominated by Spotify and Apple Music.
Some observers question whether an independent Last.fm can sustain itself without the resources of a larger parent company, given its niche user base and limited revenue streams.