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Apple Still Negotiating With Music Labels Over Streaming Terms Days Before WWDC Launch
Days before Apple is expected to announce its rebranded and revamped version of Beats Music at WWDC, the Cupertino company is still negotiating terms with music labels, reports Bloomberg. Last month, it was also reported that the two sides had not reached a deal.
Additionally, Apple has allegedly been urging music labels to cease offering licenses for freemium tiers that Spotify and other music services offer as the Cupertino company does not plan to offer a free tier with its new streaming service. These efforts have earned Apple scrutiny from government organizations like the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice, as the two groups are said to be looking into Apple's negotiations.
It's likely Apple still plans to unveil its new streaming service at WWDC, as the two sides want to complete a deal before June 8's keynote address. The new Music app is said to include the rebranded streaming service, a revamped version of iTunes Radio and traditional downloaded music. Apple also plans to offer exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes video from recording sessions. Artists will also get their own pages where they can host videos, songs and other content for free as part of a program called Apple Connect, with Apple compensating the artists and labels for songs they give away.
The labels are pushing to get a larger chunk of revenue than they receive under their current deals with Spotify Ltd., a competing streaming service, people familiar with the negotiations said. Both sides want to complete a deal before Apple’s June 8 annual event in San Francisco for more than 5,000 developers, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are continuing.Currently, labels receive 55% of Spotify's $9.99 monthly rate while publishers take 15%. Music labels are hoping to take closer to 60% from Apple, according to the report. Previously, rumors have suggested that Apple was seeking an agreement that allow it to offer a streaming music service to customers for $7.99 a month rather than the standard $9.99 rate. However, Apple was forced to back down after record labels resisted the change.
Additionally, Apple has allegedly been urging music labels to cease offering licenses for freemium tiers that Spotify and other music services offer as the Cupertino company does not plan to offer a free tier with its new streaming service. These efforts have earned Apple scrutiny from government organizations like the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice, as the two groups are said to be looking into Apple's negotiations.
It's likely Apple still plans to unveil its new streaming service at WWDC, as the two sides want to complete a deal before June 8's keynote address. The new Music app is said to include the rebranded streaming service, a revamped version of iTunes Radio and traditional downloaded music. Apple also plans to offer exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes video from recording sessions. Artists will also get their own pages where they can host videos, songs and other content for free as part of a program called Apple Connect, with Apple compensating the artists and labels for songs they give away.
Tag: Apple Music Guide
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50 months ago
Given the lack of music deal, absence of new Apple TV hardware, and google photos stealing their thunder, this keynote's looking a little like:
- wow, we made a lot of money
- here's what's new with OS X... oh wait, we thought we'd just focus on fixing the existing screw ups.
- Here's what's new with iOS... that thing about fixing screw ups? Yeah, we'll do that there too.
- Dammit, we're PRIVATE! We'll bill the snot out of y'all, but we won't sell your data to anyone! Really! That's why we're great!
- Uh... here's Cold Play.
- Bye... go program something.
- wow, we made a lot of money
- here's what's new with OS X... oh wait, we thought we'd just focus on fixing the existing screw ups.
- Here's what's new with iOS... that thing about fixing screw ups? Yeah, we'll do that there too.
- Dammit, we're PRIVATE! We'll bill the snot out of y'all, but we won't sell your data to anyone! Really! That's why we're great!
- Uh... here's Cold Play.
- Bye... go program something.
50 months ago
I'd prefer Apple fix the bug infested tripe Tim Cook has foisted upon us since Steve died than some lame radio service.
50 months ago
I'd prefer Apple fix the bug infested tripe Tim Cook has foisted upon us since Steve died than some lame radio service.
Because everything was perfect when SJ was alive. *rolleyes* Get out.
50 months ago
But I thought that's why Apple spent $3B on Beats, because Jimmy was their meal ticket to deals with the labels. I saw a tweet from someone the other day who said the U2 album giveaway was one of the worst decisions Eddy Cue has made. It pissed off labels and other artists and now the labels are making negotiations more difficult. Dumb, Apple, Dumb. :rolleyes:
50 months ago
I hate the scumbag labels. They don't care one whit if artists get a dime... they want the maximum amount for doing the LEAST.
Why would Apple pay MORE than Spotify?? Because eventually they have the ability to eclipse Spotify in users and make the labels a boatload more?? So, to your potentially most lucrative partner ever.... may as well try to give them the WORST deals & terms? What clowns. I wish a model would arise destroying them. I'd love it. I'd literally drive to the welfare office to laugh in the face of all the unemployed music execs. They are the bottom feeding thieves that represent 100% of what people are talking about when they mention the "shady" part of the music industry.
Why would Apple pay MORE than Spotify?? Because eventually they have the ability to eclipse Spotify in users and make the labels a boatload more?? So, to your potentially most lucrative partner ever.... may as well try to give them the WORST deals & terms? What clowns. I wish a model would arise destroying them. I'd love it. I'd literally drive to the welfare office to laugh in the face of all the unemployed music execs. They are the bottom feeding thieves that represent 100% of what people are talking about when they mention the "shady" part of the music industry.
50 months ago
Naysayers can rag all they want to. Apple is feeling the absence of Steve Jobs. Steve was very talented at putting favorable deals together, and his absence is noted. Steve Jobs was very good at getting his way, and Apple isn't quite as magical as it was at one time. Whatever magic is left was Steve Jobs inspired or produced.
50 months ago
Apple always likes to be in control. Its a shame they won't spend some of that 150 billion in the bank to produce and own their own content in music and video. If the music and Cable companies won't play ball go around them.
49 months ago
I'd prefer Apple fix the bug infested tripe Tim Cook has foisted upon us since Steve died than some lame radio service.
So true. I don't know if it has anything to do w/ Steve Job's presence or not, and we'll never know, but I haven't experienced so many Mac OS annoyances since the early versions of OS X. And it's more than just bugs. The whole way iTunes is redesigned is still non-intuitive. Photos is not ready for prime time. FCP X and Motion still are not interlinked as they once were. It's like the Apple in Cook is receding and the HP is coming out.
49 months ago
Never say never but I don't think there's anything they could do to get me off of Spotify Premium. A few weeks ago I figured 'why not' seeing their student discount was only $4.99/month (up to four years). I'm so glad I tried. I always said that I refuse to 'rent' music but at that price point, and being able to download 10,000 for offline use, no ads, unlimited skips, and being able to scrub through a song, it is more than worth it.
The problem is that it Spotify isn't charging enough to actually (A) pay the artists and (B) keep themselves in business. Sure take advantage of it. That price is great. But recognize that this is kind of part Ponzi scheme and part just ripping off the artists. It is still losing money and this with the fact that it's highest "paid" employees are working for far less cash salary because they are hoping (quite reasonably so) for IPO riches. If it ever paid the artists a decent amount or had to pay its employees in actual cash, it would lose even more money.
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