Apple's Pandora-Killer Delayed Over Song Licensing Negotiations

ItuneslogoEarlier this month, the WSJ reported that Apple was working on a streaming radio service to rival Pandora. Apple was reportedly in licensing negotiations with record labels, but was months away from launching the service.

Today, the New York Post reports that negotiations with music publisher Sony/ATV have hit a snag over the fee Apple would pay for each song streamed by its customers.

Apple’s plan to have its own music-streaming service built into the iPhone 5 was dramatically dashed when talks between the tech giant and Sony/ATV hit a last-minute snag, The Post has learned.

Sony/ATV, the world’s largest music publisher, and Apple couldn’t agree on a per-song rights fee, sources close to the situation said.

Those rights are usually tenths of a penny per stream, sources said. Sony/ATV was looking for a higher rate.

The Post reports that Apple wants better licensing rates than Pandora because it will direct record sales through the App Store, and Apple's restrictions on playing an artist multiple times would be looser than Pandora's.

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Top Rated Comments

WildCowboy Avatar
163 months ago
Why does every article need a "-killer" in it? ipad-killer...pandora-killer...

Sigh.

The last time we used "-killer" in an article was over a year ago.

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/05/apple-requiring-an-innovative-category-killer-experience-for-potential-low-end-iphone/
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bushido Avatar
163 months ago
please fix iTunes Match first! having no cover art on half my songs is pushing my OCD limit
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sardonick007 Avatar
163 months ago
Yea, this will go great with my shared data plans from the douche carriers.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Allenbf Avatar
163 months ago
Why does every article need a "-killer" in it? ipad-killer...pandora-killer...

Sigh.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fins831 Avatar
163 months ago
I wish ATT offered rollover data instead of minutes....I don't talk on my phone really lol.

I paid for my data, I want to keep it, then maybe I'd be able to actually use my phone to its potential
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gugy Avatar
163 months ago
Humm, Does Apple really need to go after this?
Look what happened to Maps. I really don't want them to foray on everything.

Bring a new kick ass MacPro and hi-end ACDs please......
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)