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Sony Music signs deal with Apple: iRadio coming

Vamien McKalin

Apple's iRadio plans are off to a good start as a new report claims the company has finally signed with Sony Music Entertainment, the only record company that was giving Apple a hard time to get things off the ground. We understand that Sony signed the deal on Thursday, June 6, which gives Apple all the ammunition it needs to announce the new service on June 10.

Universal Music and Warner Music Group have already signed music deals with Apple a few days ago, fueling rumors of Apple's iRadio service that is designed to compete with Spotify, Pandora, and Google's All Music Access. Some rumors are claiming that Apple's iRadio could bring to the table features not seen in other competing music services, and if that's true, this could give Apple an upper hand. Then again, since iRadio could only be available for Apple devices, it might not reach as many users compared to its competition.

"Apple has signed a deal with the Universal Music Group for its recorded music rights, but not for music publishing - the part of the business that deals with songwriting," the NYT clarified. "Over the weekend, Apple also signed a deal with the Warner Music Group for both rights."

"People familiar with the matter have said Apple's service would allow users to stream songs and be integrated with Apple iAd service, which allows developers to show ads within their apps," the WSJ further explains. "Apple remains a leader in music downloads but faces competition from Internet radio services like Pandora and subscription streaming services like Spotify AB."

ATV Music Publishing, a joint venture of Sony and the estate of Michael Jackson, has yet to reach an agreement with Apple at this time, according to AllThingsD, though things could change before June 10 if Apple is lucky.

As it stands, Apple's iRadio service will be free, but will come with advertisements, via the company's iAD platform. Come June 10, fans of Apple and free music listeners should get more information on what Apple is planning, and if it would be enough to compete with what is already available.

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