Apple Music for Business gives stores a legal way to stream tunes

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Apple Music For Business gives stores a legal way to stream Apple Music
Apple Music is entering the business world.
Photo: Apple

Apple is going after the Muzak market with Apple Music for Business, a new service for legally streaming music in public places.

Apple partnered with PlayNetwork, which specializes in providing music for commercial use, for the endeavor. It has been “quietly piloting” the service with multiple businesses for around six months.

The pilot scheme currently involves around 25 accounts. Eventually, Apple Music will provide music to 10,000 commercial locations, including Apple Stores. The Wall Street Journal says the service will boost consumer awareness of Apple Music via screens at participating stores promoting the streaming service.

“For every trial of Apple Music that such promotions generate, Apple pays a referral fee to the business. The retailer also has a page on the Apple Music consumer app, featuring the main playlist, as well as others it recommends.”

On a dedicated website for the service, Cupertino says Apple Music for Business can “increase global brand loyalty with playlists tailored by country and region, adding local flavor and recognizable artists to any setting.” In addition, playlists aimed at different stores could help businesses “develop a solid music strategy and build a custom sound for your brand.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about this program. Cupertino filed for an “Apple Music for Business” trademark last year in several different markets.

Apple Music for Business is a win-win

With iPhone sales plateauing in recent years, Apple began launching new subscription services to diversify its revenue streams. Recent additions Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade met with mixed reviews. But Apple Music, which launched in 2015, continues to grow.

Apple Music for Business could add yet another lucrative revenue stream for Cupertino. Plus, the commercial service could pay off for musicians, record labels and music publishers. They lose an estimated $2.65 billion a year because businesses use consumer streaming services instead of commercial ones, according to the Journal.

Currently Apple Music is the No. 2 streaming service, lagging only Spotify. Perhaps this new spinoff will help it catch up.

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