The Apple iRadio platform has reportedly signed a streaming music deal with the Warner Music Group.
If the deal has been officially signed, it would mean Apple now has access to the massive song catalogs owned by Warner Music and Universal Music.
Apple’s iRadio system has been rumored for months, and contracts between major song producers has appeared to be the company’s sticking point for getting the platform off the ground.
Apple is believed to be scrambling towards closing all of its open deals so it can officially debut the Apple iRadio system during WWDC which kicks off June 10.
First talks about the iRadio platform started in early 2012. Those early reports have suggested on numerous occasions that Apple would debut the iRadio system at various conferences. However, Apple has reportedly been met with contract negotiations that led to no deals being cemented.
In order to fully compete against the likes of Spotify, Google Play Music All Access, iHeartRadio, and other competitors the team at Apple needs as many songs on its platform as possible.
According to industry snoops, the biggest problem with Apple has been the company’s desire to secure better royalty terms. Apple has allegedly refused to offer any advances. In comparison, Google actually approached the major record labels with its own advance payments in order to launch All Access ahead of Apple’s iRadio platform.
Apple is also believed to be running into issues because the company doesn’t have a solid music streaming focus for the online space. On the one hand the company wants to license material for a Pandora type radio streaming service. On the other hand, Apple also wants Spotify type music searching to be provided.
Music labels typically offer different royalty structures based on how “on-demand” the music platform will be for users.
Do you think Apple iRadio is going to launch in time for WWDC on June 10?
