Apple Aiming to End iTunes Music Downloads in Two Years [Update: Apple Says 'Not True']

[MacRumors]

Apple allegedly has an aggressive plan to "terminate" music downloads from iTunes within two years, reports Digital Music News citing sources with "close and active business relationships" with Apple.

Apple is also rumored to be considering a three to four year timeline for the shutdown of iTunes downloads, but overall discussions with Apple executives are said to focus "not on if, but when" the company should retire music downloads. Termination of music downloads could be staggered by country based on the popularity of streaming content in different regions.

Back to the story, the sources indicated that a range of shutdown timetables are being considered by Apple, though one executive noted that "keeping [iTunes music downloads] running forever isn't really on the table anymore." Also under discussion is a plan to "ride the [iTunes music download offering] out for the next 3-4 years, maybe longer," when paid music downloads are likely to be an afterthought in a streaming-dominated industry. [...]

According to one source, an initial shutdown could take place in 'tier 1' countries like the United States, UK, and leading countries in Europe and Asia, with 'tier 2' and 'tier 3' countries experiencing a staggered shutdown in subsequent years.

The timeline is unclear because Apple's iTunes business continues to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, but it is on the decline due to the rise of streaming music services. According to music industry Mark Mulligan, iTunes music downloads will be worth $600 million in 2019, down from $3.9 billion in 2012. Mulligan believes Apple's download business could be 10 times smaller than its streaming music business by 2020.

Apple is also said to be considering ending music downloads due to the confusion it causes with Apple Music, mixing downloaded music purchases with Apple Music content.

Late last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple Music now has 13 million paying subscribers, up from 11 million users in February. Apple Music originally launched on June 30, 2015 in more than 100 countries and at its current growth rate, Apple is on track to have 15 million subscribers at its one-year anniversary.

Update: Apple rep Tom Neumayr contacted Recode and said the report that Apple would stop iTunes music downloads in two years is "not true."

Article Link: Apple Aiming to End iTunes Music Downloads in Two Years [Update: Apple Says 'Not True']

 

[mcfly88]

...but, why?

 

[akm3]

I like to OWN my music.

 

[aamoren3]

I like to OWN my music.

No the cloud owns you.

 

[BeSweeet]

...but, why?

Because 8GB and 16GB devices are here to stay forever, I imagine .

 

[Slix]

This would be a big mistake I think.

I have no plans to ever subscribe to Apple Music or any subscription service, so if they shut down paid iTunes downloads, they'll be losing money from me every month, and my money would be shifted to other companies to buy my music, like Amazon or the physical CDs.

Don't do it, Apple.

 

[yg17]

Okay fine, I'll buy my music elsewhere. I have zero loyalty to iTunes.

 

[wolfshades]

Oh go ahead and do it, Apple. Give me a reason to break away from the Apple ecosystem....

 

[magicschoolbus]

...but, why?

So you can pay $10.00 a month instead.

 

[Fancuku]

$600 million in 2016? Those are some poor numbers. I can see why they want to do away with the downloads.

 

[pacmania1982]

Well thats a stupid idea. I don't want to have to stream my music all the time (even if it is downloaded to my phone). I want to buy a song when and where I want. Guess I'll either go back to buying CD's or *gasp* torrenting...

Apple got the world to change their minds about paying for music and now this? Its like a complete 180.

 

[icolove]

I would be quite upset about this. I still buy CD's from bands I care about for lossless rips, but use iTunes downloads for a lot of stuff I care less about. I have zero interest in streaming music.

 

[David G.]

Apple is also said to be considering ending music downloads due to the confusion it causes with Apple Music, mixing downloaded music purchases with Apple Music content.

The village called. They're missing their idiot.

 

[Sandy Santra]

The death of music ownership. The biggest iTunes betrayal yet.

 

[greatm31]

IMHO Apple Music needs a substitute for the (unfortunately) out-of-date idea of music ownership. Adding something to "My Music" shouldn't just be dumping it in your library. They should add tools to make your own curated musical library.

 

[Avenged110]

Hahahahaha yes, that will change my mind about streaming music. That will persuade me to give Apple any more money, ever. Better get my superdrive while I still can.

 

[applepuree]

oh well, back to CD or Amazon downloads

 

[gramtrax]

Hey, now that's INNOVATIVE.

 

[garirry]

**** this ****.

How about... I BUY MY MUSIC, AND I OWN IT FOREVER, OKAY? STREAMING IS WORTHLESS TO ME! IF I WANTED TO STREAM, I'D JUST GO TO YOUTUBE AND PLAY WHATEVER I WANT!

EDIT: Partially retracted because confirmed fake (according to the OP). My point still applies however.

 

[richman555]

I don't buy this rumor. Why on earth would Apple do this... it simply doesn't make any sense. I understand streaming is 'popular' however I don't know anyone in my circle who actually pays for a streaming service.

 

[CityGirl81]

WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!??!?!?!?!??! That is the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard! I don't want streaming is not for me.

 

[v0lume4]

I'm all aboard the streaming train (I use Spotify), but I think this is a terrible decision. Countless folks (many of you here on MacRumors!) prefer to purchase and OWN their music. When Apple ends music downloads, you know what's going to happen? People are just going to start buying their music elsewhere like Amazon, etc. If Apple seriously thinks that all current users that purchase music from iTunes will just go, "Oh, that's too bad. I'll go ahead and subscribe to Apple Music now," then they are in for a huge reality check.

 

[gri]

That would be yet another stupid move from Apple. As others said I like to own the music and have it available also in places where I don't have access to the cloud (e.g. when being in the clouds) or to have to pay either roaming or wifi fees to get to the music. And - what happens to the music I bought over the years from iTunes? That will magically disappear? Or what if I buy a new computer and I want to re-download the music again - eh, not possible to provide you with the files you paid us good money for, look, its on page 73 to the new agreement you agreed to when ou upgrade to the new version of iMusic...

 

[Mascots]

At that point, iPod will officially be dead.

 

[nagromme]

Someday? On an infinite time scale? Anything could happen. Dubious rumor for now. Maybe even a hardball negotiating leak of some kind.

But it wouldn't kill me, since Amazon (or any) MP3s work fine with iTunes. I would, however, miss Apple's MP4 quality-vs-filesize.

I'd still use and love iTunes for managing my playlists, and I still wouldn't become a streamer I'll keep my library of Apple songs—which have been DRM-free for ages, and have always had music from other download sources mixed in.

 

[M. Gustave]

Queue the avalanche of macrumors geezers who don't get it.

USB ports? check
Desktop OS on every device? check
Local 100GB music library with five backups? check