Anonymous “sources with knowledge of the situation” have told The Verge that there are some bright points to consider in the otherwise troubled start of Apple Music. Pointing to the comparatively successful launch of the streaming radio station Beats 1, The Verge suggests that Apple’s contracts with major music labels included the right to launch up to five more stations — for instance, “a Beats 2 station headquartered in Australia or Asia,” or seasonally available stations. The report claims that labels already receive more money for plays on Beats 1 than on Pandora, hinting that the launch of additional stations could be lucrative for artists…
The report notes that the labels are taking a “wait and see approach” regarding Apple Music’s subscriber base, viewing all of the current users as “trialists” until Apple’s initial free trial period with early adopters ends in October. Thus far, Apple Music does not appear to have caused further erosion of paid iTunes music downloads, but downloading has been declining, and the download numbers are expected to fall further if more people sign up for Apple’s streaming service. Should subscriptions radically increase, however, payouts to the labels and artists could rebound relative to their currently low numbers.
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Beats 1 continues to surprise me. Crazy variety, always good energy, interesting hosts. It’s become my favourite part of Apple Music and it doesn’t even require the subscription so this is especially great news.
Is it pretty much a hip-hop station? Or does it vary?
It varies depending on when you listen to it. I find in the afternoon hours, they play a lot of hiphop and pop. But during the morning they play some good stuff. The girl from London (cant remember her name) really mixes things up. She plays artist from all over the world.
`in the otherwise troubled start of Apple Music.` is upsetting. Thats a pure clickbait sentence. Apple Music has had a great start. Then to link it to a “Poll” article that you created isn’t news or reporting. It’s clickbait. So chill with that.
I’d like to see some different variety within Beats. For example,
Beats 1: Mainstream/Billboard
Beats 2: Jazz/Instrumental
Beats 3: Christian/Gospel
Beats 4: Country
Beats 5: Up-and-coming/Independent