Background music is played to shape a space or an activity rather than to hold full attention. It fills silences, softens nearby conversation and signals the character of a place, which is why cafés, hotels and shops treat it as part of their design. The idea is far older than streaming, as the stories of furniture music and Muzak show.
Because it competes with whatever people are doing, its features matter. Attention studies have found that songs with lyrics distract more than instrumental music, and a steady, moderate level tends to be easier to live with than loud music or abrupt changes. Jazz lo-fi suits the role: arrangements are mostly instrumental, dynamics are gentle and loops repeat without demanding focus.
Playing recorded music to the public is a different matter from listening at home. It generally needs licences, often granted by collective management organisations on behalf of authors, performers and producers, and the rules vary from country to country.