Apple's Beats Music to Cost $10 Per Month, Despite Efforts For Lower Pricing
Apple tried to be different with its relaunch of Beats Music. The streaming service will allow Apple users to listen to a variety of different songs, but the cost will be similar to other competitors, CNET reports.
Apple will charge $10 per month for access to any song in its library a user chooses. Apple tried to negotiate with record labels to offer a lower monthly rate but was unable to get the labels to budge, according to Billboard.
Beats Music gives music listeners another choice in streaming music. The Apple brand may persuade some users to switch over from other streaming services, but the price will not. At $10 per month, Beats Music is the same price as Spotify's premium streaming service and the same price as the original Beats Music service.
Apple bought the headphone-maker company Beats Music last year for $3 billion.
Apple avoided getting involved in the streaming music business and preferred offering music by paid downloads that customers could keep on their devices. Apple sold songs through its iTunes store. As downloads decreased and streaming audio became even more popular, Apple realized it needed to get into the business.
Even though Apple wanted to offer a lower-priced option, it likely was impossible because antitrust risks would have been raised. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe have already accused Apple of using its influence in the market to secure a licensing advantage over rivals.
Apple's Beats Music is unlikely to offer ad-supported access to its entire library without paying for the service like Spotify offers.
Users excited to see what Beats Music will look like should receive more information next week at Apple's annual WWDC conference, beginning June 8.
Apple will upgrade its free, ad-supported streaming radio service with human DJs. The service is currently called iTunes Radio.
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