Hello Pandora? People actually use it? I could never stand listening to ad supported radio where I'm limited in what I can play. Nor would I pay $5 a month for ad-free, but still restricted playback. Oh, that and Pandora is only available in 3 countries.
iTunes Radio is so awesome, it could actually prevent users from joining AppleMusic if kept as separate free product. It is a huge plus for AppleMusic subscribers.
After my free Apple Music trial expired I was using iTunes Radio. I heard my first ad today. I am bummed.
Pandora here I come.
Yeah, absolutely. Because there's no ads on Pandor.... oh... Never mind,
I am surprised people don't mention Tunein. That's what I use for streamed radio-like stations with access to 100,000 channels. http://tunein.com/
I haven't used the streamed stations feature of iTunes in years as it was really half-baked with no search capabilities and very rudimentary genre classifications.
iTunes Radio is so awesome, it could actually prevent users from joining AppleMusic if kept as separate free product. It is a huge plus for AppleMusic subscribers.
After my free Apple Music trial expired I was using iTunes Radio without ads thanks to Match. I heard my first ad today. I am bummed.
Pandora here I come.
Pandora is OK, but not nearly as good as Apple Music where your family listens to any music they choose to hear at any time! This will also boost Beats 1 listening now, and Beats 2 through 5 in the future. Like it or not you gotta admit that it's brilliant marketing.
Raise your hand if you did not see this coming. Everyone with their hand raised, smack yourselves in the face. Good. Now learn from your mistake.
What's the problem, it was free only in the US, outside is only available with Apple Music subscription. For once Apple is leveling you with us, not make us wait, and wait, and wait... Here in Spain still no TV Shows in iTunes or AppleTV, or News app.
I don't think it's the smartest move as it will send all these people back to Pandora etc in a heartbeat that weren't going to sub AM anyway.
HOWEVER, my bigger problem is what about iTunes Match customers? Comercial Free iTunes Radio is/was a part of that. If Apple is taking that away when it was paid for, not cool.
Will iTunes Match paying subscribers lose this service? I never cared about Apple's music content, but I do want to keep streaming my own music.
I can't even find iTunes Radio on my iPad. I'm glad AOL Radio is working again. I've always listened to radio for free since I was little and it would seem weird to pay for it. The ads aren't as obtrusive as they are on YouTube.
Bummer. I really preferred iTunes Radio over Pandora, but I will not pay for Apple Music and Beats 1 is just awful. Created a couple of stations. Used theirs for holiday music. I didn't mind the occasional ad. I bet the folks at Pandora have broken out the Champagne.
Pandora is better anyway. I never use radio station with Apple Music.
I disagree, I stopped using Pandora when I got Radio and now Music. besides the canned stations, I can create a custom station just like on Pandora, but have built options to flag or purchase the songs via iTunes -- from the lock screen. that's value add to me. (yep, I still buy music. I don't plan to rent forever)
Very bad idea. It won't get me to join Apple Music. It gets me back to Pandora along with millions of others. The greed factor is starting to cloud Apples judgment.
so it's greedy to no longer offer a service for absolutely free? does that make taxi operators clouded with greed? cable company? etc..
Bummer. I really preferred iTunes Radio over Pandora, but I will not pay for Apple Music and Beats 1 is just awful. Created a couple of stations. Used theirs for holiday music. I didn't mind the occasional ad. I bet the folks at Pandora have broken out the Champagne.
probably not, since as far as I know they still aren't profitable after all these years.
I frequently enjoy Apple Radio and will miss it. I have tried Beats 1 several times ... For about 30 seconds each time! I don't care for the style or music mix. I hope Apple will set up additional stations to appeal to other music preferences.
Newstand, iAD and now iTunes Radio dumped, Airplay stagnant, the News app a flop...what next?
It's sort of weird, looking back at the history of Apple, how much trouble they've had implementing their networked products. Including iCloud (even though I have a subscription, I almost never use it), Mail (I use it only as a secondary email address), iTunes (although I use it a lot, I have to say that it's a bloated mess), iTunes Connect (glad I have folks who do it for me), Airdrop (brilliant idea, but limited in implementation), Ping (?), FaceTime (not useful if you're trying to talk to a non-Apple user)... The list goes on.
so it's greedy to no longer offer a service for absolutely free? does that make taxi operators clouded with greed? cable company? etc..
It is free the same way as FM radio is free or OTA is free. Users do not pay for the service, but somehow there are a lot of people employed in this business
PS I did not mind occasional commercials and I am not going to pay $120 a year for ephemeral product (music I actually do not own). Perhaps Apple wants to quit ad business completely - not just iAds. Not sure it is a right idea, as it is going to weaken the ecosystem.
I didn't know it was branded as "iTunes Radio" still.
Either way it makes sense if you think about it. Makes the subscription more valuable/desirable.Too much free and you'll have a Pandora/Spotify. It was commercial-free afterall correct?
Totally agree. It fits their business model and strategy to differentiate themselves, and be the most artist friendly (at least from a payday for artists perspective) streaming service around. Free ad supported streaming is not sustainable and is unpopular amongst artists and those that support artists.
So if this only affects ad-supported channels, this means channels like NPR and those of many public radio stations will still be available for free?
NPR is not free. It may seem that way to you as you don't see what portion of the taxes you pay goes to support public radio. They also depend greatly on listener donations which allows you to mooch off of other people's financial backing in addition to the small portion of taxes that go into funding NPR.
Comments
http://tunein.com/
I haven't used the streamed stations feature of iTunes in years as it was really half-baked with no search capabilities and very rudimentary genre classifications.
This will also boost Beats 1 listening now, and Beats 2 through 5 in the future.
Like it or not you gotta admit that it's brilliant marketing.
probably not, since as far as I know they still aren't profitable after all these years.
PS
I did not mind occasional commercials and I am not going to pay $120 a year for ephemeral product (music I actually do not own).
Perhaps Apple wants to quit ad business completely - not just iAds. Not sure it is a right idea, as it is going to weaken the ecosystem.