The Short, Troubled History of Apple Music

June 8th: Apple unveils Apple Music, while promoting an ‘indie artist’ that doesn’t exist.  The company confidently declares that Apple Music will reach 100 million paying subscribers.

June 10th: Apple faces investigations from two state attorneys general for alleged anti-competitive practices related to the Apple Music launch.

June 11th: A contract leaked to Digital Music News reveals that Apple Music will be paying nothing to independent artists during its three-month free trial, despite having $200 billion in cash reserves.  Independent labels say they weren’t even contacted by Apple, and threaten a pullout.

June 21st: Taylor Swift cries foul over the exploitative contract, demanding compensation and also threatening a pullout.  Apple quickly concedes and agrees to pay artists during the free trial.

June 23rd: Leaked contracts to Digital Music News reveal that Apple is indeed paying artists, but only $0.002 per stream.  This time, Apple doesn’t respond.

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July 1st: Apple launches an over-bloated and confusing Apple Music, one day late to mixed reviews.  Longtime iTunes users find their curated collections irreversibly mangled, one test requires 28 separate steps just to upgrade.

August 6th: Apple proclaims that 11 million people are already trying to Apple Music free trial.

August 19th: An NPD Group study finds that 48% of those trying Apple Music on a free trial have already abandoned the service, while half of those staying on have deactivated automatic credit card billing to avoid getting charged once the trial ends.  Apple quickly contests the findings.

August 21st: Apple and its newly-hired executive Dr. Dre are forced to jointly apologize for multiple, outrageously violent attacks on women following a growing backlash from the media, consumers, and employees.

August 28th: Superstar executive Ian Rogers abruptly departs Apple Music, with fellow executives expressing surprise to the Financial Times.  Rogers was considered instrumental in the development of Beats Music, as well as the launch of Apple Music.

Image: Wabash Train Wreck, Attica, Indiana, April 6, 1914.  Public Domain.

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Source: Industry News