Apple’s Free iTunes Radio Has Shut Down

As signaled, Apple's free ad supported iTunes Radio shut down last week. The Pandora-like online radio service will only be available for Apple Music paid subscribers.

As signaled, Apple's free ad supported iTunes Radio shut down last week. The Pandora-like online radio service will only be available for Apple Music paid subscribers.

Subscriptions to Apple Music costs $9.99 per month.

The move is designed to strengthen both Beats 1 radio, leaving it Apple Music's only free service, and Apple Music, giving users another reason to pay for the service.

"For listeners of ad-supported Apple Music Radio, available only in the US and Australia, we are making Beats 1 the premier free broadcast from Apple and phasing out the ad-supported stations at the end of January, Apple said in a statement. "Additionally, with an Apple Music membership, listeners can access dozens of radio stations curated by our team of music experts, covering a range of genres, commercial-free with unlimited skips. The free three-month trial of Apple Music includes radio.”