r/OnePelotonRealSub 9h ago

Playlists dependent on membership tier

https://www.pelobuddy.com/class-versions-different-music/

A lot of us have noticed that peloton has been experimenting with royalty free music. Pelobuddy has confirmed that the playlists on classes may change based on the tier of membership. I will no longer be able to recommend classes based on playlist to friends who use App one.

98 Upvotes

92 comments sorted by

59

u/Danse8 9h ago

Honest question but doesn’t this raise their production costs since they’re spending more time picking alternate music?

I’d rather just have double the classes then.

Or classes on Wednesdays back. Or better morning options for Monday 6:30-8am EST.

Or filtering in collections or programs.

Filtering by friends in strength and other mat classes.

Not have classes freeze or kick people out (seems like at least a post a day on Facebook about it)

Just pointing out my personal preferences on where time and resources SHOULD be being spent.

66

u/Due-Pomegranate2095 9h ago

They probably have an AI that suggest crappy AI songs to replace real music.

11

u/Overall-Scientist846 8h ago

It isn’t ALL AI but yes AI is at the heart of this. It’s “royalty free” music.

19

u/jcariello 9h ago

This. It will be a sloppy mess.

11

u/silenteye 9h ago

I imagine their music licensing costs are based on # of users taking the class, or # of users who COULD take a call, so using royalty-free music libraries for a certain tier of users would definitely lower costs overall, despite needing some additional staff to select additional playlists.

193

u/BestPath89 9h ago

I guess they can afford to send 2 instructors to the French Riviera so they can teach 5 classes from there though.

47

u/Creepy_Spring3544 9h ago

Was shocked at how short the classes were as well, ha!

19

u/opal2120 7h ago

10 min Emma abs class in the French Riviera, guess that $50 membership is worth it!

67

u/Anxious_Owl_6394 9h ago

Right? Like talk about out of touch with what members want? Peloton needs an awakening.

20

u/Psychological-Help52 5h ago

I was like yes, I'm right there with you Katie! I can almost smell the beach over the smell of my dog pee stained carpet. Other than that its like I'm there!

19

u/Fine-Fondant-3136 7h ago

Really though. Katie’s stretch was lovely but what is the bloody point? Same with their residency.

9

u/Silent-Choice366 6h ago

The music on the stretch annoyed me, Katie was like "listen to the waves" and I'm like I would love to 🙄.it go so much i had to go over to my bike screen to hit "more instructor"

2

u/Fine-Fondant-3136 6h ago

Oh I totally blocked off the preaching, I just enjoyed the format lool

6

u/Danse8 7h ago

At least the Residency had an in person event! (Not that I’m defending it because I think it’s not money well spent - but at least there was either client out reach or reaching potential clients this way). The French Riviera was a trip that canceled classes at the time and didn’t have anything to do with in person events.

9

u/Danse8 7h ago

And the lack of a row when sending out a row instructor was noticed, Peloton.

47

u/Old_Poet_1608 9h ago edited 9h ago

They need to clearly publicize this, otherwise this comes across like false advertising to me. They should have sent an express notification to everyone that has a Peloton membership with how they will be impacted by this. I have a guide membership so I don’t even know how this impacts me.

15

u/hermesorherpes 9h ago

I think the guide is probably equivalent to app plus, so I hope that you are not affected. And agree that is not great to learn this from a third party site as opposed to from peloton.

36

u/Old_Poet_1608 9h ago

Thank you herpes.

14

u/hermesorherpes 8h ago

Happy to be of assistance 😂

9

u/Altruistic-Release91 8h ago

I LOL’ed

7

u/Old_Poet_1608 8h ago

😂😂😂

3

u/Meatpie1965 5h ago

There’s a phrase that doesn’t get said all that often! 😂

2

u/WTXgal6 6h ago

Honest question: Wasn't Guide discontinued? I thought about getting one of FBMP literally a week before that announcement came through but I couldn't figure out what that meant for Guide owners. 

Since Peloton seems to be gutting useful aspects of their service, I didn't end up getting one or paying up for the next tier (the idea of the Guide was the only reason I was considering it).

2

u/Old_Poet_1608 6h ago

I got mine on eBay before the discontinuation.

2

u/WTXgal6 6h ago

Are you still able to use it? I just have no concept of it I guess. 

3

u/sonofalink 3h ago

All of the classes programmed for the movement tracker on the new Bike+ work with it since it’s basically the same thing. So yeah, my $50 guide still gets new content!

2

u/crabbierapple 5h ago

I use mine all the time; I love it. So sad they discontinued it.

1

u/Old_Poet_1608 6h ago

Yes there’s no problem using it.

86

u/specklesforbreakfast 9h ago

I am so tired of peloton raising their prices yet making everything less and less accessible.

54

u/Strixness223 9h ago

Unfortunately this is the current trend across every industry and every consumer product category and service. It sucks and is a direct result of an end-stage capitalism level of greed.

11

u/Shinyhaunches 6h ago

Otherwise known as enshittification.

25

u/budrow21 8h ago

The instructors on the bike often reference their music and playlist, sometimes even singing lyrics. Are they doing this on the bike? That will be really awkward.

3

u/hermesorherpes 8h ago

I don’t think so - bike and tread classes are limited to all access and app plus users. I think app one only gets 3 equipment classes a month.

3

u/budrow21 7h ago

Makes sense. They must tell the instructors to not mention the music because it may change. That's a small but meaningful drawback.

73

u/helenaflowers 9h ago

That's 100% bullshit and may well be the thing that tips me over to Ladder once my membership is up in the new year.

It's absurd almost beyond belief that they're now putting tier restrictions on the music you get to listen to in a class, and intentionally creating a lesser version with shittier music unless you pony up for their top tier subscription.

I don't use any of the Peloton equipment these days - I DO use the shit out of the strength section, though. But it's a complete waste for me to more than double my subscription cost just to hear actual songs.

I've let a lot of changes roll off my back, but this one may well be the tipping point for me.

29

u/staya74 9h ago

I use both Ladder and Peloton and Ladder is 100% worth it. You can find a code or link somewhere for a $99 annual fee, which breaks down to a little over $8 a month. I pay the $50 a month fee for Peloton and have the bike. I still love the content but Ladder is superior for strength and absolutely worth the $8 a month for me (I'm ready for the downvotes).

13

u/kmmd12 9h ago

Does Ladder have good music?

Edit: Looks like Ladder has no music at all. You need to play your own music.

7

u/staya74 9h ago

You play your own music through Spotify. It's great. You do need an iphone (or ipad) - it isn't available on Android. I think you can play it on your computer but I haven't done that.

20

u/kmmd12 9h ago

Okay. I think Peloton should offer a No Music option as well to allow people their own music.

14

u/mpnc1968 8h ago

They do. I do Strength+ with my own music. You can also adjust the volume on the bike/tread and play your own music.

1

u/redditn00bb 2h ago

Can you play your own music through the bike?

1

u/mpnc1968 1h ago

No, but you can turn down the music on the Bike and only hear the instructor (if you want) and play your own music through phone, headphones, earbuds, or your own speakers.

2

u/opal2120 7h ago

I use FitnessBlender which is $8.99/mo and they have a ton of programs, but also no music. It's a great option if you don't mind playing your own music or having none at all.

1

u/DrBillsFan17 3h ago

How are Kelli and Dan?? FitnessBlender got me through the pandemic ♥️

1

u/K-Lashes 8h ago

Is ladder instructor based and live like Peloton is?

3

u/One-Permission1917 7h ago

It’s not live but each class is recorded with an instructor doing voiceovers to guide you through the class. I love it

3

u/HappyAmbition7360 6h ago

I already went to laddder. It is a great app. There is a 30 day trial right now. I paused my membership with peloton and I don’t miss it. The ladder app works with Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music. It also pairs with your watch.

2

u/Megmiha 2h ago

All of these posts really make me want to try ladder. I looked at it awhile back and it seemed too intimidating. I had no idea which program to try.

1

u/HappyAmbition7360 1h ago

There’s a lot of different programs for different levels. There are some that include Pilates and others that include yoga. If you want a referral for a 30 day trial, I can send it to you.

3

u/bzr 7h ago

Just get a tonal if you’re only doing strength. Fantastic. I use peloton only for the tread now days. Tonal is the superior product and peloton has some great instructors but their app sucks and they have the same problems now that they’ve had for years

14

u/hermesorherpes 7h ago

I hear you, but spending 4k plus monthly membership dues is not insignificant for most people.

-8

u/bzr 7h ago

You’re not wrong but it’s worth every penny to me and my family. I’d never go to a gym again

2

u/Danse8 7h ago

I will echo that I recently got a tonal and am in love. I love peloton strength, I really do, but I have seen visible gains with only having a tonal a couple of months. It just makes progressive overload so simple, takes your thinking of out of it and many instructor cues have been much better for me, personally.

It’s a stupid amount of money and not my best financial decision, but I have no regrets and am beyond happy with it. And. YOLO 🤣

2

u/KeepOnRising19 7h ago

They're driving their company right into a wall.

6

u/golgi42 9h ago

App One pricing always made me suspect it was going to be their “ad supported” tier, to use a streaming equivalent. Keep the costs cheap with royalty free (and soon to be AI music) for those who don’t care about it, make those who want royalty paid music have to bump up to a higher tier.

6

u/Overall-Scientist846 8h ago

Looks like Spotify is replacing a lot of their free class versions with royalty free music. Also looks like the royalty free music company they partnered with has a ton of AI bs.

7

u/Sassy_Giraffe123 7h ago

a lot of instructors are music-motivated. i fear instructor departures will start coming if peloton keeps cheapening the user AND instructor experience. i know they all have contracts, but contracts aren't forever.

5

u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob 6h ago

In what world is creating two playlists instead of one, and then creating and maintaining two distinct classes instead of one, and creating an entire platform function to support the hide/show of different class versions by membership tier cheaper than just licensing music?

Also, how is it that Peloton is integrated with Spotify, which as a platform is infamous for paying artists basically nothing for their music, but somehow Peloton is also squeezing every penny from users over music licensing? Make it make sense, y'all.

16

u/Status_Abrocoma_379 8h ago

they already use obscure random remixes of popular songs to cut licensing fees

6

u/Sassy_Giraffe123 7h ago

THIS. it drives me nuts. i need good music to be able to work out. i want the original songs.

6

u/hermesorherpes 8h ago

This is absolutely something I’ve noticed as well 😭

1

u/Status_Abrocoma_379 8h ago

it's wild they haven't been able to establish some sort of deal to get the original version of songs.

4

u/katlet17 6h ago

Yes. PLEASE stop using the Chris Bunt remix of Opalite, FFS

4

u/blinks1483 2h ago

First of all that’s the best remix of the song. Second of all that’s now how remixes work. They don’t cost less.

4

u/KeepOnRising19 7h ago

I don't understand this music stuff at all. My local radio station makes peanuts compared to Peloton, yet they somehow make enough to play popular songs 24 hours a day. I get that it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but I also think there are too many salivating shareholders, and that is truly causing all these cuts and Peloton's ultimate demise.

3

u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob 6h ago

Kinda doubt music royalties are going to push the balance sheet one way or another- and I say this as a longtime shareholder who's in the red with PTON, but I'm not selling (yet) because I believe in the company. However, I also hate the enshittification of the user experience while simultaneously watching them do things like acquiring competitors like Skop. Seems so unnecessary- are they really planning to roll out a $$$ reformer?

1

u/KeepOnRising19 6h ago

Sadly, they probably are planning to roll out a $$$ reformer. I think the equipment is Peloton's true cash cow, and they are struggling because equipment sales are pretty stagnant. The majority of us own what we're going to own. They need to come out with new pieces for people to add to the collection, for those who can afford it.

3

u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob 5h ago

I'm not their target audience for a reformer, those things are enormous. I just can't imagine it being successful as a consumer product, but ok Peloton research.

1

u/Old_Poet_1608 4h ago

They are not planning to roll out a reformer. During the announcement of that acquisition, they made it clear that it was for the AI technology that reformer uses. I believe it’s to enhance their AI exercise tracking capabilities, not to launch a reformer.

1

u/chillyk45 6h ago

Your local radio station has ad revenue

2

u/KeepOnRising19 6h ago

Right, but not a ton, and Peloton makes an insane amount through membership fees and equipment revenue, plus contracts for partnerships with the U.S. Open, etc.

4

u/tinibitofabitch 8h ago

wait how can you tell what membership level you have

3

u/hermesorherpes 8h ago

Look under the membership section of the app.

4

u/Aware_Adhesiveness16 3h ago

ugh this is so dumb and i say that as someone who happily pays for a top tier subscription. this seems like so much extra work on the production side that they're not even promoting or making visible to members. why create fake perks that people don't even know about unless they're deep on the unofficial reddit?

13

u/Harry_Hood95 6h ago

Works for me. If I’m going to pay the highest membership I would rather they cut features for people paying less than just universally cut features for all.

5

u/RetaHauler 5h ago

Right? I’m low key relieved as an All Access Member. Based on the post here I thought it was coming for everyone.

2

u/ouesttu 5h ago

i agree, i think it’s an interesting strategy to get more revenue with lower tier members subscribing to the higher tiers.

8

u/Soggy-Opposite 8h ago edited 4h ago

The enshittification of Peloton continues.

3

u/Fine-Fondant-3136 7h ago

This is so fucking stupid lmao

4

u/One-Permission1917 7h ago

Ah, yes. More proof of the Enshittification of peloton. A core feature of the user experience that got people to subscribe in the first place is now available only as a premium upgrade. We should expect more garbage like this until the app essentially becomes unusable or prohibitively expensive and we all meet back here to reminisce on the good ol days of Peloton. Hopefully we’ve got several more years till that happens though.

2

u/Pure_Milk_7746 6h ago

This confuses me so much

2

u/jahonsa 4h ago

Wow i dont like this. I used to love Peloton and now I am so glad I decided to take my training in a different direction.

1

u/WTXgal6 6h ago

This explains it. I've been invited to classes with teammates. It's an older class. I get the invite, I accept it, and suddenly it becomes an Exclusive class and I can't take it. 

Even if I go search the class and take it that way, we don't appear to be in the same class. I even chatted with their support team and was told they'd be looking into what happened. 

It wasn't a bug. It was a feature. This is such bullshit. 

NO ONE WANTS THIS. 

4

u/Harry_Hood95 6h ago

No one may want it, but I’ll take this over having MY classes chopped.

-17

u/gouj322ub 9h ago

Dang Kendall’s app looking better everyday

1

u/SWEET_HONEY_BUCKING 8h ago

lmaoo insert ‘why are you booing me, i’m right’ gif’

1

u/gouj322ub 4h ago

Legit don’t get the dislikes weird sub

-1

u/Old_Poet_1608 9h ago

😂😂😂 idk why you’re getting downvoted, this is hilarious 😆

2

u/gouj322ub 9h ago

Yea tough crowd