Advertisments on iTunes to Discount Prices? - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Advertisments on iTunes to Discount Prices?

TechDigest.tv reports on hints that Apple is exploring advertising options on its iTunes store. During a recent UK Copyright Tribunal, iTunes CP Eddie Cue is quoted as describing the possibility of advertising in the iTunes store. A footnote in the discussion reveals:

In fact, the iTunes service is funded through retail sales revenue and not at present as a result of advertising. But, said Mr. Cue, Global Vice-President of iTunes, iTunes may well carry advertising in the future -- hence their interest in these Applications.

One system described is in-line advertising as described by "the placement of third party advertising at the start, end or during actual delivery of a Repertoire Work to a customer by way of a permanent download". Additional quotes suggest the ads would be delivered on content whose price has "been artificially depressed to reflect such revenue." (ie. discounted)

The discussion appears to be hypothetical and the original report "stresses" that these discussions were on the "potential of ad-funded downloads" rather than any specific plan. .

There had been rumors that Apple was exploring advertising options for iTunes with older claims that Apple was looking at a way to incorporate ads into Podcasts.

Related Forum: Mac Apps

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Thursday August 20, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the iPhone event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to...
Rivian Explains Why CarPlay Debate Will Become Completely Obsolete Feature

iOS 27 Introduces CarPlay's Biggest New Feature in Years

Monday August 17, 2026 2:38 pm PDT by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, but we did not hear many specific details about this functionality until recently. In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone...