Apple Music - RAIN News

With Spotify’s recent raise, major music services are settled at $10.99 subscription level

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Brad Hill

Spotify made news during its Q2 earnings report (See RAIN HERE and HERE) for raising its monthly Spotify Premium subscription rate from $9.99 to $10.99. Investor reaction, as a whole, could be characterized as “It’s about time.” Our survey of current music subscription pricing does support some investor impatience with Spotify, with six competing services having already boosted to that level.
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Spotify reportely to launch “Supremium” plan with higher monthly rate

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Brad Hill

Spotify will launch a third subscription tier to its legacy two-tier access, introducing a “Supremium” plan above its current subscription and free-listening options. This according the Ashley Carman’s reporting at Bloomberg — and CEO Daniel Ek promised it during the Q1 earnings call. We look at the rumored benefits, and compare to competitors. Featuring RAIN’s Spotify user growth chart. Continue Reading →

TikTok connects with Apple Music to benefit rights-holders

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Brad Hill

Immensely popular video sharing app TikTok has opened a connection with Apple Music whereby users of both services can leverage TikTok as a discovery mechanism for their personal music collections. More such connections are expected, which is good for the music business. Continue Reading →

Apple and Amazon Music crush the Hi-Res added-value model, adding HD audio to regular subscriptions

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Brad Hill

Hi-Res audio (also called Hi-Def, HD, HiFi, and other nicknames) has been an added value feature in music streaming apps since Tidal charted that course with its 2x pricing model. Now that business model is at risk of being debunked. We test Amazon’s ULTRA HD. Continue Reading →

Beats 1 becomes Apple Music Radio, plus 2 new stations

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Brad Hill

Changes at Apple Music. The Beats 1 global live-streamed station undergoes a branding change, morphing into Apple Music Radio. More descriptive, if also more bland. Additionally, two new stations are created, forming a small ecosystem of streamed programming: Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country. All three stations are available in 165 countries. Zane Lowe remains as creative director. Continue Reading →

Spotify appears to be increasing the subscriber lead over Apple Music (Statista)

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Brad Hill

“Spotify Keeps Apple Music at Arm’s Length” is the title of a new graph sent to us by Statista. The upshot is that Spotify appears to be reaching for a 2-to-1 subscriber advantage over Apple Music. Continue Reading →

“The Show Must Be Paused” in Apple Music and Spotify

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Brad Hill

During fast-moving upheaval, one initiative strives to create stillness: “The Show Must Be Paused,” a plea started by two Atlantic Records execs , directed at the music industry, to publicly recognize racism generally, and the deaths of blacks at the hands of police specifically. Apple Music and Spotify are both participating. Continue Reading →

Slower growth but another new Services record in Apple’s Q2

Posted on May 1, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Apple has reported its financial results for the three months ending March 28. The performance overall showed slowing growth, although many of its important metrics still trended upwards. Continue Reading →

Apple Music arrives on Samsung Smart TVs

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Apple Music is now available on Samsung Smart TVs. It is the first TV brand to integrate the streaming music platform on its devices. The music program will be available on models dating back to 2018. Continue Reading →

Apple brings Services to new markets, including dozens of new countries for Apple Music

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Apple is rolling out its Services platform to 20 new markets. The move brings Apple Podcasts, the App Store, and more to a vast new international audience. Apple Music is going even bigger, launching in 52 more additional countries. Continue Reading →

Apple Music browser version officially exits beta testing

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Apple Music has taken the browser-based version of its streaming service out of beta. This web iteration of the platform has been in testing for months after its initial introduction in September. Continue Reading →

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Apple Music launches royalty fund for indie labels in coronavirus relief

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Apple Music has launched a fund to help insure artists get paid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform is creating a $50 million advance royalty fund for paying artists through independent record labels. Continue Reading →