The first music streaming service is generally considered to be SonicNet, which launched in 1994. SonicNet allowed users to listen to music online, primarily focusing on streaming radio. However, it was more of an internet radio service rather than the on-demand streaming platforms we are familiar with today.
The first true on-demand music streaming service was RealAudio, which debuted in 1995. RealAudio allowed users to stream audio content over the internet, including music, though its primary focus was not exclusively on music.
In terms of the more modern concept of streaming services with vast libraries and user control, Napster (launched in 1999) was groundbreaking. It was a peer-to-peer file-sharing platform that allowed users to share and download music, which laid the groundwork for later streaming models.
The first major, legally licensed music streaming service as we know it today was Rhapsody (later rebranded as Napster), which launched in 2001. It allowed users to stream music on-demand from a large catalog for a subscription fee, marking the beginning of the music streaming revolution.
