Listeners on the TuneIn app can now tune in to Apple Music’s streaming radio stations.
TuneIn announced the partnership on Aug. 27 with Apple to bring its six streaming offerings to the TuneIn platform.
This marks the first time Apple’s radio stations are available outside its native Apple Music. Apple Music itself is an ad-free service that spans the tech company’s various device offerings, including the iPhone, iPad and Mac. While users can choose from a vast catalog of songs with a paid subscription, the service also includes six free streaming radio stations.
A strategic move
Rowan Davies, from our sister publication TechRadar, said the move appears to be a strategic way for Apple to entice new subscribers to its Apple Music platform and perhaps lure back those who have switched to competing services like Spotify.
In August, Davies noted, Spotify unveiled an offering similar to Apple Music’s AutoMix and also launched a new “Messages” feature.
“While Spotify offers an ad-supported tier, Apple Music does not, and therefore lacks other means of attracting new subscribers beyond free trials,” Davies wrote.
TuneIn, which said it has approximately 75 million active monthly users across 200 platforms and connected devices — including smart speakers, headphones and approximately 15 automotive brands — offers Apple a way to expand its stations to a broader new audience.
The free Apple Music radio stations now available on TuneIn are:
- Apple Music 1: Dedicated to popular culture and artist-led programming. Its hosts include Rebecca Judd, Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden. Davies said it is arguably Apple Music’s flagship station and it is the platform’s original station, dating back to August 2020. It was previously known as Beats 1.
- Apple Music Hits: Features popular songs from the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s.
- Apple Music Country: Covers “every lane” of the country music genre.
- Apple Música Uno: Features Latin music ranging from reggaetón to Música Mexicana.
- Apple Music Club: Provides dance and electronic music, including DJ mixes and club culture.
- Apple Music Chill: Offers low-tempo, relaxing tracks designed for calm and reflection.
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