Apple not only wants to provide music for consumers but also businesses in the form of muzak. So far businesses that play Apple Music in their stores include Levi Strauss & Co. and Harrods (via WSJ—hard paywall).
Apple Music for Business
Apple is partnering with PlayNetwork Inc., which specializes in providing music for commercial use. Apple is the one that will create and suggest playlists to use for businesses. A lot of music licensed for commercial use is more expensive so businesses can potentially save money by switching to Apple Music.
But on opposite side, a report from Nielsen Music last year estimated that artists, labels, and music producers collectively lose US$2.65 billion per year when businesses switch to consumer music services. PlayNetwork says that Apple Music for Business is “priced competitively.” Although it didn’t give a specific price it notes that similar services are being offered around US$25-US$35 per month per store.
Apple Music for Business has been running for six months and so far has 25 accounts. Once these are fully implemented Apple could be servicing over 10,000 stores, including its own retail stores.
Further Reading:
[Tim Cook Talks Steve Jobs, Environment and Privacy at Salesforce Dreamforce]
Bad grammar notwithstanding, how do commercial entities switch to consumer music products to save money? I would think that would be a violation anyway, if they did not have public play agreements. Or are they insinuating that Apple Music Business is really a consumer product? Or maybe I’m miss-reading the sentence?
Any idea how much it costs? I am sure that it varies on the size of the business and such.
They didn’t give a price, just a “priced competitively” part. But they did say that other companies that provide similar services typically charge around $25-$35 per month per store.
Thanks Andrew. That “sounds” cheaper than I thought that it would be.