Apple Music looks to have landed a whopping launch day exclusive, with Pharrell Williams’ new single coming to the streaming platform on June 30.
In a brief teaser video posted to his Facebook page (via Phone Arena), the Happy singer revealed his new track will be available “only on Apple Music” from next weeks.
The coup seems to be an indication that Apple is fully prepared to pay out for exclusive content as it seeks to get Apple Music off to a good start.
Whether the song will remain an Apple Music exclusive, or other services get it in time remains to be seen.
Apple is no stranger to this sort of deal and, in the past, iTunes has offered timed-exclusive access to albums, while iTunes Radio’s First Play feature has also given listeners the chance to tune into pre-release albums.
Now the tactic seems to have carried over into streaming, where access to exclusive content appears to be becoming a crucial battleground.
Pharrell’s association with Apple Music doesn’t appear to be limited to the exclusive track either. The fresh-faced singer has been pegged as a guest DJ for the new Beats 1 radio station, which Apple hopes will prove a major selling point for potential Spotify converts.
Related: Apple Music vs Spotify
Will you be taking Apple Music for a free three-month test drive on June 30? Has the firm’s decision to cough up royalties during the trial period warmed you to Apple’s plans? Share your thoughts below.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.