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

[OllyW]

So they're shutting down the free stations that you could listen to without being a Match or Apple Music subscriber? I wonder if that means Match will be going away and you'll have to sign up for Apple Music to get the benefits?

I think the free stations have been doomed since the launch of Apple Music.

Apple only managed to make iTunes Radio available in two countries despite promises it was going to be more widespread. When Apple Music launched as a worldwide service it was the ideal time to bring other countries onboard but the free stations were still unavailable outside the USA and Australia. I guess it sucks for the iTunes Match subscribers who are losing this service but a lot of us never got it in the first place.

 

[MH01]

What is this iTunes Radio people speak of??

Shame we never got it in Europe.

 

[djeeyore25]

You'd think they would remove the perk from the iTunes Match information page before sending the emails.

 

[japanime]

As long as I can bookmark opened streams I am totally fine.

I just need to hear this, when I press play on the keyboard
http://tunein.com/radio/La-Grosse-Tambouille-s103223/
or this
http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Swiss-Classic-s25582/

Now, this is NICE. But I'm not clear on how it is done. Through Safari, or an app?

 

[j-beda]

So does this mean the traditional Internet Radio feature we've had for over a decade is going away? Is it just that crap Radio feature they added that has nothing to do with the Internet Radio?

I think the the "Internet Radio" feature is unlikely to change - it doesn't cost Apple anything to maintain it. If they do decide to remove it from iTunes, there are at least a few other pieces of software that have similar features. I think VLC can be used for streaming audio, but perhaps without the nice listing of stations: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/streaming-services-side-vlc-player/

 

[SkippyThorson]

So does this mean the traditional Internet Radio feature we've had for over a decade is going away? Is it just that crap Radio feature they added that has nothing to do with the Internet Radio?

I wanted to ask the same thing. I'm unclear, as is this article. The day they get rid of the genre-sorted lists of Internet radio I protest.

Ad-supported iTunes Radio going away is no loss; I never used it. Spotify is king. Pandora is great, and if I had to buy anything, it would be SiriusXM.

iTunes and Beats aren't even in the cards for me.

 

[whsbuss]

iHeart Radio and Pandora are still available for you non-subscriber AM users. I choose AM for me and my family and we love it.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Beats 1 is a free radio station that does not need a subscription. Perhaps you mean Apple Music?

I suppose so... because a single station is no substitute for the thousands currently offered with iTunes radio. Especially a station with content I don't particularly care for, especially being an iTunes Match customer.

 

[itguy06]

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

Good music. IE: Not the crap they play on Beats 1
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I've tried Beats 1 on numerous occasions and only occasionally found something I've enjoyed, compared to iTunes radio where you get music in genres you like mixed with songs you may never have heard, with the ability to skip forwards if you don't like a song. Beats 1 does not compare to that at all.

This x100. iTunes Radio even turned me on to music I never thought I'd like because it sounds like stuff I do like. Sucks to see it going away but I guess I'll have to try the alternatives.

 

[gt1948]

Sorry to see Radio go. Beats One sucks, sorry Apple but its just a junk station with no options.

Hope you reconsider

 

[2013.1]

Now, this is NICE. But I'm not clear on how it is done. Through Safari, or an app?

You do it in iTunes. There it has been moved to the File menu.
Connect to an Internet broadcast: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19478?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US (how to at apple)

Edit: You can't use the above TuneIn URLs though. In the above examples the URLs would be this original sources:
http://tunein.com/radio/La-Grosse-Tambouille-s103223/
and
http://stream.srg-ssr.ch/m/rsc_de/mp3_128

 

[arkmannj]

Bummer, i really enjoyed using the iTunes Radio stations. I don't mind "paying" by listening to some targeted ads, but I'm not paying a monthly subscription.

After reading the email here's what I have to say:

 

[kds1]

Back to Pandora. No problem.

 

[colourfastt]

Tim Cook is shaping up to be Apple's John Sculley of the 21st century.

 

[JM]

Great! Less competition for Pandora so it won't die.

 

[akadafni]

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

I was using iTunes Radio for variety and an alternate to boring local radio when driving. I guess I'll have to get the Music Choice App since I already pay for that in my cable bill.

 

[GregoryOrme]

Oh no, the end of free music. If this trend carries on I will have to pay for my shopping at the supermarket. Bloody producers, wanting money for their work. That is just outrageous!!!

If it was part of iTunes Match, which is a paid service, and also ad-supported, then exactly how was it "free music"?

 

[Kar98]

Welp, the only Apple media service I'm using anymore is playing movies and TV shows "manually imported" to iTunes to my 3rd gen AppleTV. No more iBooks, iTunes Store, match, ping, radio, nothing. And if it wasn't such a pain in the arse, I'd throw a different OS on my Mac mini, too. Too much "we really need you to do it OUR way, peon!", too many features and functions going away. I don't even have an iPod anymore. Music plays just fine from my Lumia with Windows 10.

 

[DaveN]

At first I was shocked to hear that iTunes Radio was still around as I don't see it on my idevices. Then I was mad as it does seem like Apple is losing touch with reality. $10 a month may not seem like much when you are an Apple executive making millions per year but it is significant when you are a working stiff or retired like I am.

Then I started checking what I have available and checked my Apple TV 2 radio option. I listen to classic country and checked out A-1 Classic Country. Because the copyright royalty board implemented new royalty rates beginning January 1 and small low-power and small internet stations went from $40 per month to $150 per month or more. They couldn't afford it so they shut down. Their web site is myhillbillymusic.com

 

[pondosinatra]

What???? Are they talking about the Internet Radio option in iTunes? They bloody well better not be! I listen to Zeilstein all the time. Hell, Sonus just updated their SW to allow streaming iTunes - I was planning on using it along side with XM radio.

 

[nt5672]

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.

That's Apple, been doing it for years. If people don't slobber praise and money all over their poor service they just drop it, oops, our mistake, gone, poof. You can never count on Apple to stick with anything. Now I am not saying that is bad, it is just their DNA. Apple used to do niche, not anymore once the iPhone was successful and they tasted the greed.

 

[geta]

Im using the radio for ages, got few 80's channels i like and im listening almost daily. if they think that now i will move to Apple music or Beat 1 and also pay for that crap, they should think again!

Time to find new 80's radio station, whats the best free option in Europe, since Pandora not working here?

PS - apparently i can copy all the URL's from all my favorite channels and streaming them with safari or to use in iTunes build-in 'open stream' option and listen there.

 

[0098386]

That's a shame. Back when Beats Radio (or iMusic? What's it called now?) launched I took that 3 month free subscription and gave it all a go. I found myself listening to those non-Beats One radio stations more and every so often I used to play them when my subscription ended. I guess I'll just go back to my own music library.
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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.

It wasn't bad, but yeah most of the time I do just want to listen to my music (or my partners). But sometimes I like to put the radio on to discover new music, and they did this really well. You could mark off songs you liked so you could buy them later.

Not a fan of streaming in general. I prefer to buy my music on iTunes or Amazon, get my films on Bluray, games on disc etc.

 

[npmacuser5]

In the US we have other choices, iHeart Radio, Accuradio, Pandora, Amazon, to name a few. All have channels for almost every genre. Amazon requires Prime but other then that totally free. I am not renewing my iTunes Match and moving my radio listening to the above.

 

[jayducharme]

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.

Very disappointed in this. I assume it won't be long before Apple discontinues Match entirely, trying to force people over to Music. I assume the same will apply to the Apple TV, getting rid of the Radio app. Well, back to Pandora....