Apple Ending Ad-Supported iTunes Radio Stations at End of January

[MacRumors]

As part of the winding down of its iAd platform, Apple today sent out a notice to customers who listen to its radio service letting them know the radio feature is being discontinued at the end of January.

In the email, Apple says that Beats 1 radio will be the only free listening option available to those who do not subscribe to the Apple Music service. Customers who listen to radio stations sans ads with an iTunes Match subscription are also receiving the emails and will no longer be able to listen to radio stations as an iTunes Match perk.

Apple has quietly continued to offer ad-supported iTunes Radio stations in the United States and Australia even after the launch of Apple Music, but with the end of its current iAd platform on the horizon, the feature will be limited to those who pay for Apple Music going forward. Customers in Australia are receiving emails stating the radio service will end on January 29, while U.S. customers are receiving emails that suggest it will no longer be available as of January 28.

Earlier this week, BuzzFeed reporter John Paczkowski said that Apple was working towards dismantling its in-house iAd sales team in favor of a more automated platform. This afternoon, Apple announced the end of its iAd App Network, and it's likely there will be additional changes to products and services as the iAd platform is revamped.

Article Link: Apple Ending Ad-Supported iTunes Radio Stations at End of January

 

[japanime]

I use iTunes Radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

Also, one of the main reasons I subscribed to iTunes Match was so I could listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. I don't consider that a "perk," but rather an integral part of the Match service.

 

[epidote]

I use iTunes radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

Ditto, I listened to Beats 1 for about 30 secs once, that was about enough for me. Back to Spotify full time as of Feb.

 

[rbrian]

I use iTunes radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

What, you don't like hip hop? What other kind of music is there?

 

[iamMacPerson]

Ditto, I listened to Beats 1 for about 30 secs once, that was about enough for me. Back to Spotify full time as of Feb.

Ditto. I'd rather use my iPod nano and listen to the local stations for free. Redownloading Pandora.

 

[benji888]

I just read that email! While Apple has higher quality sound, and I have enjoyed it for certain types of stations that worked for me, it has been a bit limited compared to Pandora, so, I will be going back to Pandora all the time instead of alternating between the two (since I have to), but, this sucks, I was hoping they would get up to or better than Pandora.

I've listened to Beats 1 from time to time, but, if I like what's playing, it's not for very long (there was a DJ I liked a lot once).

It's too bad Apple has to do this, my music interests it generated ("play more like this"), was now just a waste of my time. I wish they would go back to being customer-centric instead of what makes the highest profit or pleases investors.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

No problem, Spotify, Pandora, Google Music all have great free Radio features that work just fine for me.

 

[GadgetDon]

Can I use that curse word now?

I don't listen to much music, definitely not worth an Apple Music subscription (and hearing what happened to some people's iTunes library would make me very leery, particularly with all the audiobooks I've in there that wouldn't match). But I've enjoyed a periodic use of iTunes Radio.

If it was became part of iTunes Match, I might find it worth paying for. But this is just not cool. And no, Beats 1 won't do for me - my tastes run to folk, early rock, pop rock.

 

[aawil]

I didn't use it much but it's disappointing given how horrible Beats 1 is, it's unlistenable

 

[Rigby]

So just like that, they are removing a feature that iTunes Match subscribers paid for? Nice going, Apple. The chances of me joining Apple Music just went from slim to zero, and perhaps I'll cancel iTunes Match too.

 

[nagromme]

I don't need a streaming service: the number of songs I'd add to my library would cost less than the monthly fee. These services just aren't for me. But I DO like Apple Radio, and accept ads to pay for it. Sorry to see that go.

Happily, Pandora is a reasonably suitable substitute

 

[Rogifan]

Oh well Pandora is better anyway. And Beats One is awful. As bad as the clowns on my local iHeart radio stations.

 

[rbrian]

Pretty much every real radio station streams from their own website, or their own app, on any of a dozen or more apps which stream them all. Beats 1 had the chance to Sherlock them, with carefully curated tracks, from every genre. But they chose hip hop and gangsta rap. Even the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show is better.

 

[Ellmer]

Dr. Dre, Drake, and Pharrell Williams? Nothing could get me to join another service faster to be honest.

 

[Whitelobster]

I paid for iTunes Match solely to listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. And because of iTunes Radio, I have found new artists whose albums I've then gone ahead and purchased on iTunes. That will no longer happen.

Not cool, Apple.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

"We unapologetically take away your features."

I'll pay for SiriusXM before I pay for Apple Music. I mean it.

 

[Yelmurc]

Pandora is probably happy about this

 

[Paradoxally]

I use iTunes Radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

Also, one of the main reasons I subscribed to iTunes Match was so I could listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. I don't consider that a "perk," but rather an integral part of the Match service.

Well, they're not ending the stations, just limiting them to Apple Music subs. So for people who have AM already, this is a non-issue. Those who don't have AM will probably find better playlists on Spotify anyway.

 

[FSMBP]

Wow - Apple has really became an upsell company...

 

[Woodstockie]

I paid for iTunes Match solely to listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. And because of iTunes Radio, I have found new artists whose albums I've then gone ahead and purchased on iTunes. That will no longer happen.

Not cool, Apple.

Pretty much same thing here. Big bummer, got iTunes Match for my devices and listened to the ad free radio stations frequently. Will switch to my complimentary T-Mobile Rhapsody subscription exclusively now.

Not cool, Apple!

 

[BJMRamage]

Back to Spotify for me. Or Amazon Prime Music.

I clicked on Beats1 by accident and it sucked.

 

[japanime]

Well, they're not ending the stations, just limiting them to Apple Music subs. So for people who have AM already, this is a non-issue. Those who don't have AM will probably find better playlists on Spotify anyway.

Except a yearly Apple Music subscription costs about six times what I pay for iTunes Match.

 

[Four oF NINE]

I use iTunes Radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

Also, one of the main reasons I subscribed to iTunes Match was so I could listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. I don't consider that a "perk," but rather an integral part of the Match service.

I have zero interest in subscribing to their Beats service

Likewise, very disappointing news here. I'm really losing respect for Tim Cook.

 

[eyeseeyou]

iHeart Radio Loves this move. Pretty messed up apple.

 

[gixxerfool]

I never used AM. Or any other streaming service for that matter. I buy my music and locally store to listnen where and whenever. This is pretty much shooting themselves in the foot before the service gets off the ground.