Apple’s Radio Stations To Debut Beyond Own App For The First Time: Report

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is reportedly expanding the reach of its curated radio stations through a new distribution agreement with TuneIn, a digital audio platform. 

According to a Wall Street Journal report, this will the first time that Apple’s radio station will be available outside the company’s app. The partnership will make Apple Music’s six human-curated radio stations available to TuneIn’s network of 75 million monthly users starting Wednesday. 

Apple stock inched 0.1% lower on Wednesday, after the morning bell. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the company remained in ‘bearish’ territory amid ‘extremely low’ message volume levels. 

According to the report, the move is part of Apple’s broader effort to grow its music service by tapping into new audiences beyond its own app ecosystem. It mentioned that Apple is hoping the wider availability of its radio content will help draw TuneIn listeners into its subscription-based music service. 

According to estimates from MIDiA Research quoted in the report, Apple Music’s U.S. market share slipped to 25% by the end of 2023, down from 30% in 2020. During the same period, Spotify Technology (SPOT) increased its U.S. share from 31% to 37%. Globally, Apple’s slice of the streaming market also fell from 16% to 12%.

Apple first entered the radio space in 2015 and now operates six stations, including three added late last year. In contrast to Spotify’s emphasis on algorithm-based playlists, the report said Apple Music doesn’t offer a free version with ads. 

Apple’s new partner, TuneIn, is a San Francisco-based audio streaming platform offering radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. The service is accessible via its website, mobile app, smart speakers, and other supported devices.

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