Apple Planning to Challenge the Online Streaming Market with Brand New Service

Apple Planning to Challenge the Online Streaming Marketwith Brand New Service -

Apple Inc. are reportedly looking into licensing theirentire catalogue for a custom-radio service similar to that of Pandora Media, Slacker or iHeartRadio.

According to The Wall Street Journal the online media powerhouse iscurrently discussing the possibility of securing comprehensivestreaming rights with major record labels worldwide.

The service would create virtual 'stations' that play musicsimilar to a song or artist of the user's choosing, using eitherWeb browsers or smart phone apps.  

However Apple's service will differ from its competitors as theylook to seek out direct licences with record labels, meaningthere'll be no restrictions on how many times a track can be played.

Like Pandora, Apple's service will incorporate advertising,carried through Apple's iAd platform. Although whether or not Applewill share part of the ad revenue with labels, or pay them someother licensing fee, is unclear. It was also unclear whether theservice would be free or require a subscription fee.