R.I.P. Rdio; slightly more room in a crowded and competitive market space

Struggling online music-streaming service Rdio’s has officially shut shop and is set to file for bankruptcy, with Pandora buying up their key assets for a tidy sum of US$75M. The latest casualty in the rough-and-tumble digital landscape wars leaves behind a substantial debt to various music rights holders, including Sony BMG and Shazam. While the deal is not yet inked, Pandora won’t be laying claim to Rdio’s operations, instead focusing on the technology and talent. Over the course of a steady shutdown for Rdio, Pandora could likely create its own on-demand streaming to bolster its existing radio-style service, in the hopes of crushing competitor Spotify.