Apple Music raises subscription fees due to rising licensing costs
Price increases attributed to higher costs of licensing artists' music
1Apple Music price hike
Apple has increased monthly fees for all Apple Music subscription tiers. The company cited rising costs of licensing artists' music as the reason behind the decision. Additionally, prices for most Apple One bundles, which include Apple Music, have also gone up.
2User reaction
Apple's latest price increase may further strain users already struggling with inflation and rising monthly fees. While CEO Tim Cook's focus on services has been successful, this move could lead to dissatisfaction among subscribers.
3Artist payouts
Apple Music is one of the highest-paying platforms for artists. According to a 2024 report, Apple pays $6.2 per 1,000 streams, while its main rival Spotify pays only $3. This helps position Apple as an artist-friendly platform.
4Premium features
Beyond offering access to over 100 million songs, Apple Music continues to add premium features like lossless audio, Spatial Audio, and Apple Music Sing. A dedicated classical music app also enhances the user experience.
5New pricing
In the US, Apple Music's individual plan now costs $11.99, while the student plan is $6.99. The family plan has increased to $19.99. Apple One's family and premier plans have risen to $27.95 and $39.95 respectively, with the individual plan remaining unchanged.
6Market impact
Apple Music's price increase could cause ripples in the music streaming market. While still more affordable than Spotify's premium plans, Apple's lack of a free, ad-supported tier might deter some users. However, premium features and artist-friendly policies keep Apple competitive.
Original article: Cult of Mac — Apple Music abonelik ücretlerini artırdı