Quartz:
It is broadcast 24 hours a day, with real people picking songs, introducing them, and conducting interviews. Everyone around the globe hears the same thing at the same time—a rarity for internet-based media, which is rarely experienced in sync. As a result, everyone can also discuss in real-time.
It’s early, but tuning into Beats 1 on launch day and following along with other listeners on Twitter made it a fun, memorable, shared experience.
It’s hard to argue with the sentiment. Sure, some (many) don’t like the mix – “there’s too much ____ (insert music genre you dislike the most here)” but I’ve been listening to nothing but Beats 1 since the launch. The shared music aspect of it is really appealing to me. For the most part, I like the DJs. I especially like Julie Adenuga and her drum and bass mix. Sure, there are glitches and odd bits (the naughty language edits are particularly annoying) but, after only three days, it’s a remarkable achievement that will only get better, in my opinion.
Haven’t listened to Julie yet but I have a Zane dose every day. It’s great!
It’s quite interesting that I get Zane as I drive to work and Ebro as I drive home. Just the luck of being on the West Coast. A bit of Julie around lunch, makes me wonder what’s going on in the hours that I’m sleeping… as it really does feel worldwide.
I’m a little disappointed by how often they seem to be playing the same “hit” songs. If I hear Pharrell’s “Freedom” again I’m going to punch my phone.
And it’s not even that great of a song. I don’t get the big deal about Beats 1. It’s just a BBC Radio 1 ripoff.
Freshest radio I’ve heard in a long time. Brilliant move by Apple.
Not everyone could get BBC Radio 1, or at least certainly not this easily and integrated.
And can we wait until next week to judge repetitiveness? Of course they are going to focus on some songs or artists — it’s radio and they are promoting things they like as DJs, and likely promoting new or rarely heard stuff. You don’t think they might have some things show up more in playlists each week? Give it some days…
Edited to add: Just as I hit save on this, Adenuga began playing a song I haven’t heard yet this week. So, yeah, there is that.