Apple is expected to announce a new music streaming and Internet radio service at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) next week.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple plans to unveil a $10 per month unlimited streaming service to compete with Spotify, the current leader in music streaming. The company will also offer DJ-hosted and programmed Internet radio channels to compete with Pandora.
The company does not yet have licensing deals with the three biggest global music companies, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, but is expected to wrap up negotiations and secure those deals soon.
With its acquisition of Beats Music and its parent company for $3 billion last year, Apple already has 303,000 streaming subscribers it will eventually migrate to the new service.
However, Apple reportedly intends to let the new streaming service tempt users away from its download sales, where the average customer spends only $30 per year.
For the new Internet radio service, Apple has hired producers and DJs from BBC Radio 1, and is in talks to bring Q-Tip, Drake and Dr. Dre on to host.
This new streaming service could mean trouble for Jay Z’s Tidal. The hip-hop mogul’s streaming app was originally run by Swedish company Aspiro, but Jay Z bought it for $56 million and relaunched the service in March. Since then, his subscription-only service has been besieged by branding problems, bad press, layoffs and the departure of CEO Andy Chen.