Rumor Fact(ory): Apple reportedly lacks labels deals ahead of Beats launch

beats and apple question marks 300wThe music industry has been waiting for Apple to unveil its new vision for Beats Music, and the streaming service’s debut is expected to happen during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference next month.

However, Billboard has reported that Apple allegedly may not have any of the licensing deals with major labels that are necessary for the service to meet that launch date.

Billboard asked around the industry leaders about whether a lack of deals would force a delay of the Beats debut, and opinions were mixed. “If any company can pull it off, they can,” one unnamed source said, noting Apple’s history of having a positive impact on rights holders’ revenue. But others opined that even the might of Apple wouldn’t be able to rise to the challenge: “June won’t be the release date. The deals aren’t done.”

Apple itself has not confirmed whether this is in fact the case and refused to offer comment on Billboard’s story, but it’s not unusual for the company to be tight-lipped about its plans. We aren’t even 100% sure that June is the projected debut date for Beats Music, but with all the buzz about the highly anticipated redesign and the current animosity about premium service Tidal, the sooner Apple can come in with a winning product for that niche, the better for its prospects.

Anna Washenko