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

Friday April 11, 2014 8:18 am PDT by Kelly Hodgkins
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."

Tag: iTunes Radio
[ 180 comments ]


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Laird Knox
70 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.
Rating: 29 Votes
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furi0usbee
70 months ago
£1 a month? Talk about race to the bottom. I only own my music, so even free isn't enticing to me.
Rating: 16 Votes
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xizdun
70 months ago
Is it even LEGAL for Apple to do such a thing?
Rating: 13 Votes
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samcraig
70 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.
Rating: 13 Votes
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BC2009
70 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).
Rating: 12 Votes
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MacHiavelli
70 months ago

It is expected to debut in the U.K. sometime in early 2014.


Early 2014 has long gone....
Rating: 9 Votes
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ArtOfWarfare
70 months ago
Wow - this is a pathetically sad move on Apple's part. They're counting on customers not knowing about better services so that they'll use Apple's.

Personally, I love Spotify. I briefly tried iTunes Radio before Spotify became free on iOS, but as soon as Spotify offered that, it was a no-brainer.

I'm a bit interested in this Bloom.fm… I've never heard of it before. It sounds cheaper than Spotify… is it basically the same thing at a lower price? How is their library? I've been quite impressed with how much Spotify has… the biggest name I have wanted and not been able to get on Spotify is Rammstein.
Rating: 8 Votes
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selfsilent
70 months ago
If you read the iAD T&C's you'll see that Apple have the right to refuse companies advertising for any reason they see fit. So all you "is it legal" people, I'm guessing you are American. Yes it is legal and no, you can't sue.
Rating: 7 Votes
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hansonjohn590
70 months ago

If Apple really was about shutting out competition you wouldn't have Google maps, Pandora, Office, etc. available for download in the App Store. Seems to me some no name company is looking for attention. Kind of like when these parents go to the BBC complaining about how their kid racked up thousands of pounds in IAP charges. And then we get a photo of a sad looking kid with their parent. :rolleyes:


Yes, we get it already. Apple is never wrong. :rolleyes:
Rating: 6 Votes
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iChrist
70 months ago
Apple's new mottos:

- When you can't innovate, duplicate
- When you can't innovate, litigate
- When you can't compete on your own merits, use your muscle to destroy competitors

Apple IS the new MS.
Rating: 6 Votes

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