According to a web site called Digital Music News which cites sources “close and active business relationships” with Apple, the company is planning to “terminate music downloads from the iTunes Music Store within three to four years”.  To further back this up, the site has said that some high up Apple executives are telling them that they are saying “not if, but when” the company will officially shutter the service.
Here’s an excerpt from 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. […]Â
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.”
Hours after the above story was published, Apple rep Tom Neumayr contacted Recode and said the report that Apple would stop iTunes music downloads in two years is “not true.”
We’ll continue to follow this story.
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