Apple Music will expand its curated radio stations to a global network of home speakers and connected cars, aiming to broaden its music service’s reach. Through a partnership with TuneIn, Apple Music’s six radio stations will be available outside of the Apple Music app for the first time, accessible to TuneIn’s 75 million monthly active users starting Wednesday.
Rolfe Winkler for The Wall Street Journal:
Apple wants to bring some of those users into its own ecosystem. Many of the company’s music subscribers sign up through free trial deals after they buy a new device. The aim is to convert Apple Music’s radio listeners into paying subscribers to its music service, which has fallen further behind Spotify in recent years.
Apple’s market share of digital music subscribers in the U.S. fell to 25% at the end of last year from 30% in 2020, according to MIDiA Research, while Spotify’s share increased to 37% from 31% over that period. Apple’s share also has fallen globally, to 12% from 16% since 2020, MIDiA estimates.
Apple approached TuneIn about the tie-up around the end of last year, according to TuneIn’s Chief Executive Richard Stern. He said he was excited to bring the new radio offering to his platform. The stations have no commercials and offer a good listener experience, he said. TuneIn’s network of connected devices helps terrestrial radio operators reach beyond their local markets.
A link inside the TuneIn app and on its website will redirect users back to Apple Music, where Apple can convert them to paying subscribers.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple Music operates six live global radio stations, with the first launched in 2015 and three additional stations added in December 2024.
Apple Music radio stations and debut dates:
• Apple Music 1 (originally Beats 1): June 30, 2015
• Apple Music Hits: August 18, 2020
• Apple Music Country: August 18, 2020
• Apple Música Uno: December 10, 2024
• Apple Music Club: December 10, 2024
• Apple Music Chill: December 10, 2024
These stations are available globally through the Apple Music app, smart speakers, and now via TuneIn’s platform, reaching 75 million monthly active users.
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