Wired:
While streaming services provide endless ways to introduce listeners to unfamiliar music, the sheer number of them has fragmented the market. As we listen to music more each year, radio still holds the crown in one very important regard. “Radio continues to be the #1 source of discovery for new music,” says David Bakula, a Nielsen analyst.
According to Nielsen’s findings, this is true even for younger listeners, the prime audience for streaming services. “For younger millennials in particular, discovery is more and more driven by social media and other digital formats, but that’s still supplemental to radio,” says Bakula.
To me, Beats 1 is the most interesting aspect of the very uneven Apple Music. I tend to listen to music I already know and like but, listening to the Beats 1 DJs, I’m more likely to hear, listen to, and want to learn more about artists I’ve never heard of before.
Until streaming music services figure out how to take over the car without inflicting data cap damage (a la T-Mobile) radio will still remain the #1 source for free music.
Beats 1 curation is hardly new. In radio, we call it program directors. And, while you may not like the methodology, it certainly will always attract the most listeners.
Taste and popularity re not the same thing.
I listened to Beats 1 a bit the first day, and I was honestly horrified at most of the music I heard. It just wasn’t my thing at all. Though i found the DJs interesting, I can’t tune in for that music.
I’ve never investigated to see if there’s a time I’d like what Beats 1 is playing.
I’ve tried multiple times. I seem to only hear hip hop. And often of the minsogynst type. Granted, I listen at certain times of the day. Tonight I’ll try to catch Elton John. If I can’t listen live, I’ll “TiVO” him with Audio Hijack. The new version has been waiting for me to give it a whack at setting up a weekly recording session. This is a good time to try.
Is there anyway to Applescript starting iTunes and switching to Beats1 Radio? Maybe I’ll try Keyboard Maestro.
I totally agree with respect to Beats 1. I may not start paying for Apple Music when the three months are over, depending on whether the UI is improved. But since Beats 1 is free (with ads), I’ll listen to that.
During the trial period I’ve been introduced to more interesting music and sparking my curiosity to explore, than I have in a long time. For me, Beats 1 is a hidden gem.
Love Beats 1 and love Apple Music.
What I find interesting is that it’s very much the same as Beats was, which was applauded, yet after Apple rebrands it, all of a sudden people hate it.
Pretty pathetic if you ask me.