Apple Wants to Kill Free Music Streaming

Apple Wants to Kill Free Music Streaming
Earlier this week, The Verge reports that the Department of Justice (DoJ) is looking into Apple\'s business practices ahead of the rumored Beats Music revamp and integration into iOS. The DoJ has already taken interviews of highly-ranked music industry executives about the matter. Apple\'s "aggressive tactics" has gotten the attention of the DoJ, which contradicts with Apple\'s push to kill free music streaming services such as Spotify, cites multiple sources. If the company does take on this move, they have a potential of killing services such as YouTube, Rdio and Pandora. The report goes onto say that Apple is “using its considerable power in the music industry” to stop labels from renewing its deal with Spotify to stream music free. “Sources also indicated that Apple offered to pay YouTube’s music licensing fee to Universal Music Group if the label stopped allowing its songs on YouTube." Alongside its music streaming service, which, presumably is going to be running under the iTunes brand, Apple tried to reduce the price on its upcoming streaming service. Typically, services like Spotify or Rdio offer its premium unlimited ad-free service at $9.99, though Apple is trying to push a reported failed pricing of $7.99.

Apple’s Upcoming Music Streaming Service Won’t Offer a Free Tier

Apple’s Upcoming Music Streaming Service Won’t Offer a Free Tier

Unlike iTunes Radio, Apple\'s upcoming beats-based music streaming service won\'t offer a free, ad-free version, according to Re/code. This doesn\'t mean they won\'t offer a free trial to the service. According to anonymous sources who talked to SVP Eddy Cue and Beats Music co-founder Jimmy Iovine, the leads behind the project. The music business “needs to get behind a paywall.” “Sources say Apple would like to make a splash by getting high-profile artists to distribute their music with Apple before it makes its way to other services,” the report says. The timing of the services couldn\'t have been more perfect. Sony Music, back in November, said they were reevaluating the free music streaming service. Warner Music Group CEO Stephen Cooper also noted that they were losing interest in the ad-based free music streaming industry. In terms of pricing, Apple will be providing a more affordable price point of $8 a month. In comparison, Spotify, Rdio and other similar services charge a $10 premium. The streaming service is rumored to become available as apart of an upcoming iOS 8.4 update, integrated directly into the stock music app.