More details are emerging about Apple’s mysterious new music streaming service. The company wants people to pay a subscription to listen to music, but is apparently in negotiations with music labels to allow free users to access a limited amount of free music.
There isn’t much to go on yet, but it is being reported that Apple is telling music label executives that free music streaming will not bring in enough money through advertising. Cupertino is telling the recording industry that the way to go is paid subscriptions, which is something like what Jay Z is doing with his music streaming service Tidal.
That being said, Apple is preparing to allow users to sample what its service can offer. How it intends to do this is uncertain, but rumour has it that the company is looking into offering a limited free trial or perhaps allowing music owners to upload a small selection of songs for free listening. It is also reportedly looking into creating a new version of Apple iTunes Radio, except with playlists created by humans.
Apple’s negotiations with music labels have managed to trigger investigations from the European Commission and the US Federal Trade Commission. The bodies are looking into whether Apple is using its position in the tech industry to put rival music streaming services at a disadvantage. Investigators are worried that Apple is asking music executives to put pressure on ad-supported services to reduce the amount of free content available to users.
Apple has declined to comment on anything to do with its music streaming service, but that is not entirely unusual for the company that favours secrecy over everything else.
[Source: Recode]
