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

[Juicy Box]

Right now people are upset about this decision in term of doing away with iTunes Radio. However, I have always found Apple a company that studies these kind of moves and usually they have little impact on the company overall. Yes, some folks will get mad, some will leave for greener pastures and like usual, many will eventually come back.

In my eyes, it is not just one thing to point to. If it was just the issue with Apple Radio and Match, I wouldn't even of made a comment on the forum. It is multiple things that are happening, one multiple products and services, like 24GB SSD fusion drives, smaller batteries in the iPhones, the Mac Pro, just to name a few. A bunch a little things, and a few big ones.

I am not saying that Apple is going to lose their customers, or even that I will be switching to some other brand for my electronic needs. But, my enthusiasm for Apple products is at an all time low.

A decade ago, before Apple was "cool", I would be the guy that would talk to anyone that would listen to me about my Macs, and how much I love them. I would highly recommend Apple products with a few exceptions.

I noticed about a few years ago, I stopped talking about them. Now, I find it hard to recommend Apple products to my family and friends. They might be spending a premium price on what I think is becoming a sub-premium product.

I hope I am wrong, and Apple changes my mind.

 

[OTACORB]

In my eyes, it is not just one thing to point to. If it was just the issue with Apple Radio and Match, I wouldn't even of made a comment on the forum. It is multiple things that are happening, one multiple products and services, like 24GB SSD fusion drives, smaller batteries in the iPhones, the Mac Pro, just to name a few. A bunch a little things, and a few big ones.

I am not saying that Apple is going to lose their customers, or even that I will be switching to some other brand for my electronic needs. But, my enthusiasm for Apple products is at an all time low.

A decade ago, before Apple was "cool", I would be the guy that would talk to anyone that would listen to me about my Macs, and how much I love them. I would highly recommend Apple products with a few exceptions.

I noticed about a few years ago, I stopped talking about them. Now, I find it hard to recommend Apple products to my family and friends. They might be spending a premium price on what I think is becoming a sub-premium product.

I hope I am wrong, and Apple changes my mind.

I've never been one that got Apple products because they were cool. I got them because they performed the task that I needed and of course were generally premium compared to other products on the market.

All those decisions you state were all business decisions made by Apple for one reason or another. A. to fit into a profit model, B. fit into a design model. I would not think you and I are the typical Apple customer. Most use these products and they never come to forums like this. Most don't even notice the changes you mention and if they do they think about it about 2 seconds and then never again.

Apple products in my mind have always sold themselves and while family and friends know I used Apple products I've never been one for showing them off or even pushing them to get those products. If they have question I'll answer it and if they ask me for a recommendation I'll make one. However me just talking about Apple products very unlikely.

I don't think Apple will change your mind, I think you have to decide if what Apple is doing is really such and deal that you need to move on. I wanted a bigger screen and when they didn't provide one sooner I switched to Android to get one. I am back now though. Folks just have to do what they need to do.

 

[MacBergin]

I subscribe to Apple Music and I love it. I will say I listened to Beat 1 about 3 times and each time couldn't make it through an entire song. I tried Pandora once and couldn't stand the ads that seem to go up in volume...so annoying. I think its funny how so many complain about paying $9.95/mo for Apple Music and yet have no problem paying $7.99/mo for Netflix that is fair at best or $120/month for cable or satellite. Skip 2 specialty coffees a month and get Apple Music instead.

 

[OllyW]

I think its funny how so many complain about paying $9.95/mo for Apple Music and yet have no problem paying $7.99/mo for Netflix

I have a different emotional attachment with music and video.

I rarely watch films or TV shows more than once which is why I don't mind paying a subscription for Netflix or Amazon Prime. I buy the odd DVD or Bluray every now and again but it doesn't mean as much to me as music as I usually get bored with them once I know how the story ends. I'm constantly coming back to my music though and still regularly play albums I bought 40 years ago and they can still sound just as fresh as the day I bought them.

I've built up a big collection over the years so I've got plenty to choose from and I'm still discovering new and old stuff all the time. If I was 30 years younger I would probably be tempted by streaming but I'm happy enough with what I've got.

 

[topdrawer]

I subscribe to Apple Music and I love it. I will say I listened to Beat 1 about 3 times and each time couldn't make it through an entire song. I tried Pandora once and couldn't stand the ads that seem to go up in volume...so annoying. I think its funny how so many complain about paying $9.95/mo for Apple Music and yet have no problem paying $7.99/mo for Netflix that is fair at best or $120/month for cable or satellite. Skip 2 specialty coffees a month and get Apple Music instead.

you can collect a huge music collection of your favorite music for cheaper than you can collect a tv and movie collection. you can also store your whole music collection in a small device and play it anywhere, whilst is not as easy to do with a movie collection. netflix service is way more valuable than a music service.

 

[fiveainone]

Good news for my Pandora stocks.

 

[Juicy Box]

I think its funny how so many complain about paying $9.95/mo for Apple Music and yet have no problem paying $7.99/mo for Netflix that is fair at best or $120/month for cable or satellite. Skip 2 specialty coffees a month and get Apple Music instead

I am not sure if that was directed at me, but I didn't mean to put down AM. It is great for the people that love it it, and it is nice that Apple has a service that suits you.

As for me, the $10 a month is not worth it. I would rather own, and use a free or near-free streaming service for discovery.

Think of this scenario, I could pay the $10 a month for AM for the next 10 years. Then, Apple decides to discontinue the service for what ever reason. That is more than $1200 I spend on music that I did not own. Actually, it would be a lot more than that if you take the time value of money into account.

Or, I could just buy songs and have something of value when the subscription ends.
[doublepost=1453236597][/doublepost]

I have a different emotional attachment with music and video.

I rarely watch films or TV shows more than once which is why I don't mind paying a subscription for Netflix or Amazon Prime. I buy the odd DVD or Bluray every now and again but it doesn't mean as much to me as music as I usually get bored with them once I know how the story ends. I'm constantly coming back to my music though and still regularly play albums I bought 40 years ago and they can still sound just as fresh as the day I bought them.

I've built up a big collection over the years so I've got plenty to choose from and I'm still discovering new and old stuff all the time. If I was 30 years younger I would probably be tempted by streaming but I'm happy enough with what I've got.

you can collect a huge music collection of your favorite music for cheaper than you can collect a tv and movie collection. you can also store your whole music collection in a small device and play it anywhere, whilst is not as easy to do with a movie collection. netflix service is way more valuable than a music service.

Good posts, great point.

 

[rhaezorblue]

What makes my choice more difficult for me than saying "screw it then I'm going to pandora's ad supported service" I consume/enjoy my music mostly in my car via bluetooth connectivity from my phone. So instead of getting in my car, starting it up and driving off and using Siri eyes free to say "Play XYZ radio", I won't be able to do that now unless I subscribe to Apple Music. If they would just let 3rd party's like Pandora and Spotify integrate with Siri it would make the choice easier. I don't like being forced into paying a new monthly fee just so I can use the phone's features in the most convenient way, which up until this announcement, was part of my iTunes match once a year fee.

 

[dancingbrook]

From the top of the current iTunes Match page:
"Subscribe to iTunes Match on your Mac, PC, or iOS device, and listen to on-demand music stations without ads."
[doublepost=1453298670][/doublepost]

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.

From the top of the current iTunes Match page:
"Subscribe to iTunes Match on your Mac, PC, or iOS device, and listen to on-demand music stations without ads."
[doublepost=1453298825][/doublepost]

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.

From the top of the current iTunes Match page:
"Subscribe to iTunes Match on your Mac, PC, or iOS device, and listen to on-demand music stations without ads."

 

[attila]

Something tells me most of the people in this thread don't realize Beats 1 has a schedule, with different shows featuring different genres.

But how many people below 90 years old listen to scheduled radio?

 

[DUCKofD3ATH]

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

How can you not like iDiversity radio? Don't you appreciate other cultures?

 

[TsMkLg068426]

So people enjoy curated radio stations like Pandora instead of deciding on their own what music or playlist made of your own that you can listen to? I thought people were tired of this so they went to Spotify and once Apple Music came out people complained but still appreciated Spotify but people are still complaining. Apple here is a better idea kill the iTunes but the people with iTunes Cloud move them over to Apple Music because no one wants a 2011 iTunes Match which was barebones.

 

[Juicy Box]

So people enjoy curated radio stations like Pandora instead of deciding on their own what music or playlist made of your own that you can listen to? I thought people were tired of this so they went to Spotify and once Apple Music came out people complained but still appreciated Spotify but people are still complaining. Apple here is a better idea kill the iTunes but the people with iTunes Cloud move them over to Apple Music because no one wants a 2011 iTunes Match which was barebones.

Judging from the comments of this thread and others, some people like full service subscriptions like AM, and some like to own music while using things like Pandora or iTunes Radio to discover music.

If Apple tries to push one form of media, like they are doing now with AM, there will always be a large group of people that are unhappy with the lack of choice.

Actually, if Apple wanted to please their customers, they would have a few choices of ways to enjoy music, instead of pushing one way over the others.

 

[japanime]

Well, January 28 has come and gone, but iTunes Radio is still working via my iTunes Match account.

 

[Aussiemate]

Well, January 28 has come and gone, but iTunes Radio is still working via my iTunes Match account.

This just appeared today whilst I was listening to a station and my radio Stopped working!!! ...

 

[japanime]

This just appeared today whilst I was listening to a station and my radio Stopped working!!! ...View attachment 613176

Yes, I spoke too soon. I'm now getting that message was well.

 

[Juicy Box]

It is not working on my ATV3 either.

 

[JackieInCo]

The icon is gone from my ATV2. Still on my iPhone for now.

 

[Mike1715]

I have been having issues with using iTunes radio on my iPhone 6 plus for weeks now. Finally a senior advisor said they were making changes. You know you can listen to most radio stations using their own app. Why should I pay Apple to get the unasked for beats and Apple music all over my iPhone. I swear Apple is becoming more like Microsoft everyday. It's time for someone else to redesign a machine with the intentions that Steve Jobs started.
[doublepost=1454161779][/doublepost]

Oh ffs - I love iTunes Radio :/ there's no way I'm subscribing back to Apple Music. Too expensive, disorganised etc and plus it's a waste of money if you want to buy your own music.

[doublepost=1454161817][/doublepost]Totally agree
[doublepost=1454161900][/doublepost]

Can't lose what we didn't have in Canada...

Sucks for those who did use it, paid or ad-supported...

181.fm works for me. lots of variety.
[doublepost=1452913563][/doublepost]Oh, and I agree. Beats 1 is absolute garbage for those that don't like the rap/hiphop stuff.

If they would come up with maybe 5 total stations with some more variety of genres, i could give it a try. But Beats 1 is absolute crap.

[doublepost=1454162068][/doublepost]Beats 1 sucks. I totally resent having it in front of my face all of the time. Apple is going downhill again. Time to replace Tim Cook with someone who thinks out of the box like Steve Jobs did.

 

[colourfastt]

How can you not like iDiversity radio? Don't you appreciate other cultures?

NO! ... Baroque only

 

[TheMacApple]

Least Apple could have the decency to remove all the non functioning crap from radio and give an option to hide beats
Shameful

 

[Macyourdayy]

I have a different emotional attachment with music and video.

I rarely watch films or TV shows more than once which is why I don't mind paying a subscription for Netflix or Amazon Prime. I buy the odd DVD or Bluray every now and again but it doesn't mean as much to me as music as I usually get bored with them once I know how the story ends. I'm constantly coming back to my music though and still regularly play albums I bought 40 years ago and they can still sound just as fresh as the day I bought them.

I've built up a big collection over the years so I've got plenty to choose from and I'm still discovering new and old stuff all the time. If I was 30 years younger I would probably be tempted by streaming but I'm happy enough with what I've got.

Exactly. When did iTunes stop TV show renting? It sucks that you have to buy them, so if you watch more than 3 shows a week, one subscription service is worth it. Trouble is, there's virtually no way one service will have all the shows you want, while almost everything is available on iToons.