Apple Blocks Bloom.fm iAd Advertising Ahead of U.K. iTunes Radio Launch

London-based streaming-music service Bloom.fm says it has been blocked from advertising on Apple's iAd network because it is a threat to the Cupertino company's iTunes radio, reports CNET. Similar to iTunes Radio, Bloom.fm offers genre and artist-based streaming radio stations with a library of over 22 million tracks.

"We were surprised at Apple's decision to ban us from their iAd network as their iTunes Radio service isn't even available in the UK," the spokesman told CNET. "Bloom.fm gives you 22 million tracks for £1 a month -- the price of a single download on iTunes -- so I can see why they'd want to protect their business."

Apple may be blocking Bloom.fm as it prepares to launch its iTunes Radio service in the U.K. The service debuted in the U.S. alongside the release of iOS 7 last fall and was recently extended to Australia. It is expected to debut in the U.K. sometime in early 2014.

itunes radio
Over the past several months, some iPhone owners in the U.K. have reported intermittent connections to the iTunes Radio service, suggesting Apple is in the final stages of preparing the product for an imminent launch. Bringing iTunes Radio to countries worldwide is a top priority for Apple, says senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue, who confirmed the company plans to offer the service "in more than 100 countries."

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Top Rated Comments

Laird Knox Avatar
141 months ago
Is it even LEGAL for Apple to do such a thing?

When is the last time you saw an ABC ad on NBC? Or heard one radio station advertise on another? Not really anything new.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
furi0usbee Avatar
141 months ago
£1 a month? Talk about race to the bottom. I only own my music, so even free isn't enticing to me.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
141 months ago
It's their ad network - they can do what they want ultimately until legally required to change.

That being said - it should be clear that Apple does not like competition.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xizdun Avatar
141 months ago
Is it even LEGAL for Apple to do such a thing?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
141 months ago
Is it even LEGAL for Apple to do such a thing?

You ever see an advertisement for an ABC TV show while watching a CBS TV show? Me neither.

Yes it is legal.

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If it's legal, then why isn't Google banning Apple/iPhone queries from his Search Engine? :>

Because Google's mobile ad revenue would be cut by 80%. Google actually pays Apple to make Google the default search engine on iOS. However, Siri is separate and Apple has chosen to keep Siri's use of search engine a closed choice. It currently uses Bing (like Microsoft's new Cortana).
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacHiavelli Avatar
141 months ago
It is expected to debut in the U.K. sometime in early 2014.

Early 2014 has long gone....
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)