Apple Ceases Free iTunes Radio Streaming Worldwide

[StupidMac]

StupidMac just want to say 3 things:
1. People complain Radio suck when it's available, and complain again when it is taken. People loves to complain.
2. Nothing is free, even Radio is ad-supported. iAd is gone, so must Radio.
3. There are plenty of free ad-supported streaming radio out there. Apple has nothing to lose. You get everything with Apple Music or nothing, it;s only 10 bucks per month for unlimited music. Stupid if not to.

Close full stop

 

[whsbuss]

Haven't used the radio part for a few weeks till today. I noticed right away that the stations I had listened to before now are playing music I've not heard before. My main complaint with the Radio stations was repeats, repeats, repeats. Even before when we had the control to tune each station, I still got repeats galore. Wonder if now that its AM subscription only, things have changed? Maybe its just me.

 

[jujufreeze]

On a serious note, does anyone use Apple Music and/or Spotify, Google play music, Deezer, Tidal? I'm ready to sign up for a service and Apple Music seems cool but Spotify has a bigger library, any long-term users?

 

[whsbuss]

On a serious note, does anyone use Apple Music and/or Spotify, Google play music, Deezer, Tidal? I'm ready to sign up for a service and Apple Music seems cool but Spotify has a bigger library, any long-term users?

Not sure about Spotify having a larger library..... thought they were equal. I know before I got AM, Spotify had some music iTunes didn't and visa-versa. For me, siri integration and cloud storage of songs not available on AM is why I chose it. Head over to the forum on AM and there's lots of reviews/comments/complaints

 

[Leighwest]

Apple today officially ended free streaming of its iTunes Radio channels worldwide, incorporating the catalogue of stations into its subscription-based Apple Music service.

The change follows Apple's announcement earlier this month that its free radio-listening feature would be discontinued at the end of January but would remain available to Apple Music subscribers.

As of this morning, iOS Music app users who tap on a radio station are bounced to a screen prompting them to join Apple's premium streaming music service.

Likewise, iTunes users on a Mac who attempt to access the stations or create their own are met with a dialog window asking them to "Get on Our Wavelength" and join Apple Music.

Users with an iTunes Match subscription are also no longer able to access the stations. However, Apple's Beats 1 radio channel remains available to iTunes users worldwide as a free listening option.

Apple had quietly continued to offer ad-supported iTunes Radio stations in the United States and Australia even after the launch of Apple Music on June 30, 2015. However, after the company's decision to wind down its mobile iAd platform, the feature was already being limited in other regions to those who pay for Apple's streaming music service.

iTunes Radio was originally released with iTunes 11.1 and iOS 7 as a free ad-supported service, offering music discovery through featured and genre stations provided by Apple or through the creation of new stations based on a specific artist or song.

Article Link: Apple Ceases Free iTunes Radio Streaming Worldwide

[doublepost=1455295601][/doublepost]

Apple today officially ended free streaming of its iTunes Radio channels worldwide, incorporating the catalogue of stations into its subscription-based Apple Music service.

The change follows Apple's announcement earlier this month that its free radio-listening feature would be discontinued at the end of January but would remain available to Apple Music subscribers.

As of this morning, iOS Music app users who tap on a radio station are bounced to a screen prompting them to join Apple's premium streaming music service.

Likewise, iTunes users on a Mac who attempt to access the stations or create their own are met with a dialog window asking them to "Get on Our Wavelength" and join Apple Music.

Users with an iTunes Match subscription are also no longer able to access the stations. However, Apple's Beats 1 radio channel remains available to iTunes users worldwide as a free listening option.

Apple had quietly continued to offer ad-supported iTunes Radio stations in the United States and Australia even after the launch of Apple Music on June 30, 2015. However, after the company's decision to wind down its mobile iAd platform, the feature was already being limited in other regions to those who pay for Apple's streaming music service.

iTunes Radio was originally released with iTunes 11.1 and iOS 7 as a free ad-supported service, offering music discovery through featured and genre stations provided by Apple or through the creation of new stations based on a specific artist or song.

Article Link: Apple Ceases Free iTunes Radio Streaming Worldwide

Seriously!!? *deletes iTunes - downloads Spotify Premium never to look back at iTunes again! *

 

[Juicy Box]

StupidMac just want to say 3 things:
1. People complain Radio suck when it's available, and complain again when it is taken. People loves to complain.
2. Nothing is free, even Radio is ad-supported. iAd is gone, so must Radio.
3. There are plenty of free ad-supported streaming radio out there. Apple has nothing to lose. You get everything with Apple Music or nothing, it;s only 10 bucks per month for unlimited music. Stupid if not to.

Close full stop

1. The complaints are probably not from the same people, and what is a little ironic is you are complaining about people complaining.
2. Totally agree, but what about people that are paying for iTunes Match that no longer can use the service.
3. The first part is true, there are many good ad-supported streaming services. But the last part:

Stupid if not to.

I can't agree, it would be just as cheap for many of use to buy the songs we want to listen to, instead of renting them.

 

[chairguru22]

I actually started using Spotify after Apple got rid of iTunes radio and it's awesome! Much better than what Apple offered. Looks like Apple just created a new Spotify user.. irony...

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Same here, they are often the same price or cheaper than iTunes and you usually get an instant MP3 download if you buy from Amazon.

Ditto.

I buy singles from iTunes; otherwise, I buy music on CDs. They're usually a lot cheaper on Amazon. Import into iTunes, and I have a better quality recording that I have everywhere.

I used to use iTunes as my go-to for music, but now it's Amazon. As for video, there's no contest: Amazon is way, way cheaper than iTunes. Films are often less than £1.50 (used) as opposed to £5-£10 on iTunes. TV shows are also generally cheaper.

 

[TAZ911]

Not particularly happy with the removal of the free iTunes Radio, but given his spare the ads were; I'm betting they couldn't sell enough ads to make it work out financially. I've bought a few albums and singles from hearing songs from the radio. I pay for sa too much junk as is, so not going to dump more $$ to a music service. Guess it's Amazon time.

 

[Kgeo752]

I don't see how this goes well for Apple and the iTunes Store. I listened to several stations to hear new music that I would later buy. Now I can't listen to new music so I guess I won't discover or buy much now. And I will not subscribe - I pay once only for a song. The drug dealer model, I will not support.

Really? So how did you discover new music before iTunes gave you free music?

 

[Thunderhawks]

myTunerRadio is a great iOS app to listen to streaming radio stations from all over the world.
There is a paid and a free app (some ads, but not annoying)
Apple was never as international as all these stations are. Lots of content and new and different music to discover.

If one really has to listen to specific songs , youtube usually has them.

There are so many options to listen to or discover new music, that this is a non issue.

 

[Juicy Box]

myTunerRadio is a great iOS app to listen to streaming radio stations from all over the world.
There is a paid and a free app (some ads, but not annoying)
Apple was never as international as all these stations are. Lots of content and new and different music to discover.

If one really has to listen to specific songs , youtube usually has them.

There are so many options to listen to or discover new music, that this is a non issue.

There are a lot of good apps out there, the ones I have been using lately is Amazon Prime Music and Pandora. I use Amazon on my phone, but Pandora at home on the ATV4. I also like 8tracks.

I was one of the iTunes Match subscribers that lost the iTunes Radio access after Apple dropped it.

I was pretty annoyed by this, especially considering that the Match sub was not free.

I have since tried some other free/semi-free apps, and have noticed that every app I have tried so far ended up being much better at accurately playing the genre of music that I selected.

For example, a few years ago, my wife and I went on vacation. I was giving her a relaxing massage in a heart shaped tub while playing iTunes Radio's relaxation/meditation station. It was all going fine until Korn started playing. It totally killed the mood, and I had to get out of the tub to switch to the next song.

I have no idea why Korn was mixed in Apple's own relaxation/meditation station, but this doesn't type of stuff doesn't really happen that much on other apps.

Another bad thing for Apple, since they dropped iTunes Radio, I no longer buy any music from their iTunes Store. Before, if I was listing to something I really liked, I would just purchase it right in the app, as it was pretty easy and convenient to do. But, now I hardly ever buy any music from them. I think the last song I bought was when iTunes Radio was on iTunes Match.

 

[Thunderhawks]

There are a lot of good apps out there, the ones I have been using lately is Amazon Prime Music and Pandora. I use Amazon on my phone, but Pandora at home on the ATV4. I also like 8tracks.

I was one of the iTunes Match subscribers that lost the iTunes Radio access after Apple dropped it.

I was pretty annoyed by this, especially considering that the Match sub was not free.

I have since tried some other free/semi-free apps, and have noticed that every app I have tried so far ended up being much better at accurately playing the genre of music that I selected.

For example, a few years ago, my wife and I went on vacation. I was giving her a relaxing massage in a heart shaped tub while playing iTunes Radio's relaxation/meditation station. It was all going fine until Korn started playing. It totally killed the mood, and I had to get out of the tub to switch to the next song.

I have no idea why Korn was mixed in Apple's own relaxation/meditation station, but this doesn't type of stuff doesn't really happen that much on other apps.

Another bad thing for Apple, since they dropped iTunes Radio, I no longer buy any music from their iTunes Store. Before, if I was listing to something I really liked, I would just purchase it right in the app, as it was pretty easy and convenient to do. But, now I hardly ever buy any music from them. I think the last song I bought was when iTunes Radio was on iTunes Match.

.... haha, that relaxing massage in the heart shaped tub is an interesting story. Hope for you there was more to it,
which Korn couldn't ruin

I don't know how old you are. I am 65 and used to be glued to the radio in Germany for the latest English and American songs to tape off the radio. Some were only available on AM radio, so when my mother would switch on a mixer or vacuum cleaner in the house the signal got distorted, crackling and all and I would still tape it, if I really liked and wanted that song.

Bought lots of albums then (The real kind = vinyl) and then converted all of these when possible to CDs. Still keep moving the boxes I store them in every once in a while, being annoyed to still have them. Just can't get myself to get rid of them.

That kind of dedication to music has gone over the years. Say, I was interested until in my 30s.
Must be an age thing to stop caring about must have/owning music.

I no longer will buy music, know where to find what I like when I feel like it (doesn't happen often) via an app or youtube or SiriusXM and of course all my old stuff is on my iPhone.

So, you have something to look forward to. (as in: not caring to own music)

 

[Juicy Box]

.... haha, that relaxing massage in the heart shaped tub is an interesting story. Hope for you there was more to it,
which Korn couldn't ruin

I may have exaggerated how much Korn was a mood killer, but it was a memorable example on how iTunes Radio would sometimes randomly stray from the genre of the station listened to.

It could be somewhat related, but a positive thing about iTunes Radio was the large library the music came from. You could listen for a while before hearing a repeat. I cannot say that about some of the other apps I have used, especially if it was an uncommon genre playing.

I don't know how old you are.

35

I no longer will buy music, know where to find what I like when I feel like it (doesn't happen often) via an app or youtube or SiriusXM and of course all my old stuff is on my iPhone.

I still buy CDs, but not as often as I used to buy songs on iTunes. My music collection is very large (well, relatively), and is a mix of iTunes, CDs, Vinyl, and cassettes.

While I have not stopped adding to my music collection, it has definitely slowed. I personally would not get a music subscription though. I feel like the cost over time would not be worth it for me.

 

[japanime]

Another bad thing for Apple, since they dropped iTunes Radio, I no longer buy any music from their iTunes Store. Before, if I was listing to something I really liked, I would just purchase it right in the app, as it was pretty easy and convenient to do. But, now I hardly ever buy any music from them. I think the last song I bought was when iTunes Radio was on iTunes Match.

My reaction has been the same. I was really disappointed when the radio feature was taken away from my iTunes Match subscription. I subsequently allowed my subscription to expire, and I no longer buy any music from iTunes.

My most recent digital-music purchases, in fact, have been directly from the artist's labels (SubPop for the new Father John Misty album, and Johnny Jewel's self-owned Italians Do It Better label for his new album). That's the route I plan to go from now on.

Also, I think the fact that we're still talking about this matter more than a year later goes to show just how arrogant it was for Apple to take away the radio feature we paid for without offering any kind of refund, pro-rated or otherwise.

 

[whsbuss]

My reaction has been the same. I was really disappointed when the radio feature was taken away from my iTunes Match subscription. I subsequently allowed my subscription to expire, and I no longer buy any music from iTunes.

My most recent digital-music purchases, in fact, have been directly from the artist's labels (SubPop for the new Father John Misty album, and Johnny Jewel's self-owned Italians Do It Better label for his new album). That's the route I plan to go from now on.

Also, I think the fact that we're still talking about this matter more than a year later goes to show just how arrogant it was for Apple to take away the radio feature we paid for without offering any kind of refund, pro-rated or otherwise.

I understand your opinion but Apple never implicitly said the radio feature was part of the match service. It was an additional add-on feature.

 

[Juicy Box]

I understand your opinion but Apple never implicitly said the radio feature was part of the match service. It was an additional add-on feature.

This is not true. I am not sure why this false information is being spread around, as Apple used to advertises Ad-free iTunes Radio as benefit of subscribing to iTunes Match.

Obviously, when iTunes Match came out, iTunes Radio was not included, but iTunes Radio did not exist then. After iTunes Radio was released, Apple started advertising Ad-free iTunes Radio with a Match sub. They continued to advertise it until the iTunes Radio was removed.

 

[whsbuss]

This is not true. I am not sure why this false information is being spread around, as Apple used to advertises Ad-free iTunes Radio as benefit of subscribing to iTunes Match.

Obviously, when iTunes Match came out, iTunes Radio was not included, but iTunes Radio did not exist then. After iTunes Radio was released, Apple started advertising Ad-free iTunes Radio with a Match sub. They continued to advertise it until the iTunes Radio was removed.

You answered your own statement. Action phrase "as a benefit".

 

[Juicy Box]

Apple used to advertises Ad-free iTunes Radio as benefit of subscribing to iTunes Match.

You answered your own statement. Action phrase "as a benefit".

I am not sure what you mean, but saying Apple never implicitly said that iTunes Radio was a part of the iTunes Match is false. They directly advertised right the iTunes App that Ad-free iTunes Radio was a part of iTunes Match. Why would it matter if I described it as a benefit. Would it have been better to label it a feature?

Either way, this statement is not correct:

Apple never implicitly said the radio feature was part of the match service.

All that said, after losing the Ad-free iTunes Radio feature of iTunes Match, I am not sad about it. Other streaming apps seemed to have filled the void, and in some ways, they are better.

 

[japanime]

I understand your opinion but Apple never implicitly said the radio feature was part of the match service. It was an additional add-on feature.

You are incorrect. It was advertised as being part of the iTunes Match subscription. I have the screenshot to prove it.

If the text in the low-resolution image is difficult to read, here's the relevant part: "iTunes Match also lets you listen to ad-free on-demand music stations. And it's built right into iTunes on your computer and the Music app on your iOS devices. All you have to do is subscribe."

You can call it an "add-on feature" if you want. But that isn't what Apple called it. Apple advertised it as part of the iTunes Match paid subscription.

 

[Appleind]

Spotify all the way.