Google Play Music could be killed off when YouTube Remix launches later this year (Updated)

Update (04/25 @ 5:20 p.m. EST): “YouTube Remix” might not be the service’s official name. According to 9to5Google, Google is planning to stick with the YouTube Music brand name for the music service. YouTube Remix is apparently the codename.

Original article (04/25 @ 8:23 a.m. EST): One of the worst-kept secrets in the streaming industry is that Google is preparing to launch a new music-multimedia platform called YouTube Remix. We’ve already heard from various sources that the service will launch later this year, but it now seems that its inevitable release will also lead to the death of Google Play Music.

According to Droid-Life sources, the Play Music service will begin to wind down later this year, with existing users set to be “forced off” and likely migrated over to Remix by the end of 2018.

It’s unclear how this will impact those with paid subscriptions, or whether user playlists and music library cloud backups will carry over to the new platform, although another report from 9to5Google suggests that the search giant is planning to “move the entire service over to YouTube Music [“Remix”].”

Intended to unseat Spotify’s dominance over the music streaming market, YouTube Remix will reportedly combine YouTube Red with Play Music to create an on-demand music service that also features video clips.

Despite initial concerns from major music labels, we heard late last year that Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group had joined Warner Music Group in signing deals for the upcoming service after Google assuage their fears over copyright issues on YouTube.

In an attempt to settle concerns among Play Music subscribers, a Google spokesperson issued the following statement to Droid-Life:

We’ve previously announced the combination of the YouTube Music and Google Play product teams — music is very important to Google so it’s critical we have one offering that meets the needs of consumers and artists. Nothing will change for users today and we’ll provide plenty of notice before any changes are made.

Would you mourn the death of Google Play Music? Let us know in the comments.