Blog
Anghami Plus Restricts Lebanese Subscribers To 30 Second Previews, Users Complain
Anghami, one of the region’s leading music streaming companies, has angered some of its Anghami Plus subscribers after restricting playback on the app to just 30 second previews for a large number of songs.
In a statement released on their website, Anghami said:
“Due to the ongoing challenges in Lebanon and the request of some Music Labels, if you have subscribed to Anghami Plus using Touch or Alfa credits, some content will only be available in 30-second previews.”
It is noteworthy to mention that it costs $4.99/month to subscribe to Anghami Plus.
The streaming service justified this decision by saying that it is based on music labels increasing the price of their content. Anghami Plus subscribers, a significant portion of which are subscribed through Lebanon’s Telecom companies, have complained about the decision throughout social media.
Anghami was founded in Lebanon but has since relocated to Abu Dhabi, where it was subsequently listed on the US Nasdaq. A major complaint for plus subscribers is related to the company failing to provide prior warning to recently renewed users, with most now finding themselves locked into playing their favorite music in 30 second intervals.
It is unclear how the majority of users will move forward amidst this music inflation, with some threatening to move to competitive services, others choosing to forgo music streaming, and some committing to continuing on Anghami.
For the last group, Anghami offered the following remedy to the crisis:
“To gain full access, you will have to change your payment method to iTunes/Google Play store or credit card via plus.anghami.com using a USD card. You can also purchase Anghami Plus vouchers from the nearest BoB Finance, MoneyGram (CashUnited), LibanPost (delivered to you), Whish branches, or Toters.”
We’d love to hear how this has impacted you and how you’ll be listening to music moving forward.
1
In a statement released on their website, Anghami said:
“Due to the ongoing challenges in Lebanon and the request of some Music Labels, if you have subscribed to Anghami Plus using Touch or Alfa credits, some content will only be available in 30-second previews.”
It is noteworthy to mention that it costs $4.99/month to subscribe to Anghami Plus.
The streaming service justified this decision by saying that it is based on music labels increasing the price of their content. Anghami Plus subscribers, a significant portion of which are subscribed through Lebanon’s Telecom companies, have complained about the decision throughout social media.
I can’t play any gaga, taylor, lana, katy, camilla, harry, the weeknd, the 1975, billie, lorde, tove, aurora songs cz i’m on alfa anghami.
— ЯK (@metamorpHoes) May 1, 2023
I literally renewed my plan 5 days ago couldn’t y’all have given us at least until the end of our current plan before doing that? @anghami
After 6 years of being an anghami plus subscriber!! I swear they keep ruining this app every month pic.twitter.com/3nvcLv0krm
— ♍︎ (@yourinsecureboi) May 1, 2023
Ive used @anghami for almost 10 years and ive never been more annoyed like this time like im already paying for anghami plus to listen to songs for 30 seconds? BS!! what else do you want? my kidney? Time to move to another app saraha.
— tumi(taylor’s version) (@starrrrgirlllll) May 1, 2023
Anghami was founded in Lebanon but has since relocated to Abu Dhabi, where it was subsequently listed on the US Nasdaq. A major complaint for plus subscribers is related to the company failing to provide prior warning to recently renewed users, with most now finding themselves locked into playing their favorite music in 30 second intervals.
@anghami i just renewed my anghami plus subscription on the 26th of April, but you decide to make a big change in your plans and announce it on the 28th just 3 days before the change is set to be done. What kind of shit is this. If you announced it before I wouldn’t have renewed
— Omar Al Ahmad (@new15111999) May 1, 2023
Sar fi anghami w anghami plus w anghami mega plus
— wass (@wassimnotwissam) April 28, 2023
.@Anghami you said SOME content but all of my downloaded catalog is restricted, what’s the point of calling it an Anghami Plus plan, this is so fucking annoying. Do you realise you robbed people by not telling them sooner of your genius plan or do you not care?
— S (@everyevermore) May 1, 2023
It is unclear how the majority of users will move forward amidst this music inflation, with some threatening to move to competitive services, others choosing to forgo music streaming, and some committing to continuing on Anghami.
For the last group, Anghami offered the following remedy to the crisis:
“To gain full access, you will have to change your payment method to iTunes/Google Play store or credit card via plus.anghami.com using a USD card. You can also purchase Anghami Plus vouchers from the nearest BoB Finance, MoneyGram (CashUnited), LibanPost (delivered to you), Whish branches, or Toters.”
We’d love to hear how this has impacted you and how you’ll be listening to music moving forward.
1