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AP Photo/Richard Drew

A free service on Spotify could be a thing of the past if Apple has its way

It’s pressurising record labels to force music streaming services like Spotify to abandon its free version

APPLE IS PRESSURISING record labels to make music streaming services abandon their free services.

The company is trying to convince music labels not to renew licences from services like Spotify that allow them to stream their music through a free service, according to The Verge.

The most successful service, Spotify, has 60 million people signed up, but only 15 million pay for the service. If Apple is successful with its tactics, it will deal a significant blow to its rivals, giving it a better chance to revive Beats Music, which came as part of its $3 billion acquisition of Beats Electronics.

It’s also believed that Apple is offering to pay Universal Music Group the money it receives from YouTube if it stops putting its songs on the video site.

While it makes the majority of its money from advertising and licensing fees, YouTube also has its own music service, YouTube Music Key, which also comes with Google Play Music.

Apple’s music streaming service is expected to be launched at WWDC, the company’s developer conference, in June where it will reveal the latest iPhone update iOS 9. The update itself would likely arrive in September, to coincide with the launch of the latest iPhone.

The company has been in talks with a number of artists like Taylor Swift and Florence and the Machine as it tries to line up exclusive content when it launches. The monthly subscription is expected to cost $9.99 while a family plan will cost $14.99.

Other similar efforts come from Tidal, the high-quality audio streaming site headed by Jay-Z. In March, its relaunch featured a number of high-profile artists such as Beyonce, Madonna, Daft Punk, Kanye West and others, saying they wanted a service that would “re-establish the value of music”.

Read: New flagships are giving Android Lollipop a much-needed push >

Read:  This is what your living room would look like while wearing Microsoft’s HoloLens >

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25 Comments
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    Mute John
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    Apr 7th 2019, 10:39 AM

    Keep going Sean, best of luck with the rest of your recovery.

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Apr 7th 2019, 10:41 AM

    It’s wonderful that Sean will be going to the match but so very sad that his life is so changed now, I hope he really enjoys this match , heartbreaking for his family.

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    Mute Flaming Mo
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    Apr 7th 2019, 10:44 AM

    It’s terrible that he has to go to the UK to continue his treatment. Hopefully there will be a packed house for the charity match which will help to raise as much as possible for his recovery in the years to come.
    Get well soon Sean.

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    Mute Aisling
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:25 AM

    @Flaming Mo: there must be some sort of quota on the amount of time you can spend in the rehab in Dun Laoghaire? So ridiculous. The service should be there as long as you need it

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:45 AM

    @Aisling: take a look at the magnificent work that’s done in Dun Laoghaire rehab first instead of speculating.

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Apr 7th 2019, 12:00 PM

    @Ciaran: I think Ciaran that you misunderstand Aisling’s comment,nothing is implied about the quality of care but obviously the demand for their services is under pressure.If Sean requires further care and must go to England then we must not be providing a like service here and this is the point she was making. A similar case was made some time ago by the family of a young man with an acquired brain injury from a cycling accident

    https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/health/dad-reveals-disdain-irish-health-11781976

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Apr 7th 2019, 1:36 PM

    @Honeybee:

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:18 AM

    I think the Italian football authorities need to pick up the tab for all his future medical care as a gesture against football related violence

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    Mute Paul O Riordan
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:06 AM

    Never has our anthem been more apt.
    Ynwa Sean get well soon

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    Mute sams theman
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    Apr 7th 2019, 12:29 PM

    @Roy Dowling: this isn’t the place for that Roy

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    Mute Kevin O Sullivan
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    Apr 7th 2019, 12:46 PM

    @Roy Dowling: not really the time or place Roy.

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    Mute Jason Higgins
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    Apr 7th 2019, 1:43 PM

    @Roy Dowling: Get a life you fool

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    Mute Robert Nash
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    Apr 7th 2019, 4:10 PM

    @Roy Dowling: dope

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Apr 7th 2019, 4:41 PM

    @Roy Dowling: there’s always one clown

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    Mute Anthony Shoulderhead
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    Apr 7th 2019, 5:13 PM

    @Willy Motley: He’s right though

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    Mute sams theman
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    Apr 7th 2019, 6:48 PM

    @Anthony Shoulderhead: right or wrong petty football rivalry has no place on this thread Anthony

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    Mute Anthony Shoulderhead
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    Apr 7th 2019, 6:57 PM

    @sams theman: Yeah I know, but he is right

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    Mute Brian
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    Apr 7th 2019, 7:35 PM

    @Anthony Shoulderhead: I have no words for you.

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Apr 8th 2019, 12:53 AM

    @Paul O Riordan: unless you are Karius

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    Mute David Weston
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:36 AM

    Best of luck Séan , a nation rooting for you

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Apr 7th 2019, 11:54 AM

    The very best of all things good and positive to Sean and his family.

    I really hope he enjoys his day out and the England rehab works wonders.

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    Mute Sportmad
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    Apr 7th 2019, 12:13 PM

    Well done Sean and in fairness to all the teams and supporters today what a gesture and worth while cause YNWA

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    Mute John Waters
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    Apr 7th 2019, 8:04 PM

    Great news and good health in the future. A brave man.

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    Mute Don
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    Apr 7th 2019, 5:03 PM

    YNWA

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