When Apple renamed Beats 1 in 2020, it introduced two more radio stations in addition to Apple Music 1. The three stations are:
Apple Music 1 features the biggest names in music and includes pop culture conversation and artist-led programming.Apple Music Hits focuses on the biggest hits of the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.Apple Music Country offers the best country music, playing current hits and introducing fans to up and coming artists. It also plays tracks from legendary artists that shaped the country genre.
These three stations comprise Apple Music Radio. You don’t need an Apple Music subscription to access Apple Music 1’s live feed, but you need one to listen to previously aired shows. You can listen to the two other Apple Music Radio stations for a limited time without an Apple Music subscription.
What Is Apple Music 1?
Apple Music 1 is a streaming radio station that is one of the major elements of its Apple Music streaming service. The headline feature of Apple Music is the all-you-can-stream subscription music service, but Apple Music Radio shouldn’t be overlooked. Instead of employing algorithms to try to learn what people like, which is the approach used by Pandora and Spotify (among others), Apple hired music experts and uses their knowledge and taste to craft playlists and streaming stations. Apple Music 1 is the highest-profile example of this approach.
How Do You Get It?
Apple Music 1 is available through iTunes 12.2 and higher and the Music app on Macs or mobile devices on iOS 8.4 and up.
What Does It Cost?
While it is part of Apple Music, you don’t have to sign up for the $10.99/month streaming service to enjoy Apple Music 1. As long as you have a compatible version of iTunes or iOS, you can listen to the live broadcast.
How Do You Listen to It?
If you’re on a computer that has iTunes or the Music app installed, you can listen to Apple Music 1 by clicking a link, but you can also access it via software. Here’s how. If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or earlier, you can use iTunes to listen to Apple Music Radio. Launch iTunes, and click Radio in the top menu bar. Select one of the three radio stations. If your Mac is running on a newer version of macOS, the Radio link is in the left panel of the Music app. In iOS, you access Apple Music 1 and the other two stations through the Music app. Click the Radio button at the bottom of the screen, and then select a show to listen to it.
Can You Listen to Apple Music 1 Offline?
No. While you can save songs from Apple Music for offline playback if you have a subscription, Apple Music 1 can only be streamed when you’re connected to the internet.
How Is It Different From iTunes Radio?
Apple Music 1 is a radio station programmed by DJs with different shows that are scheduled throughout the day, and the listener doesn’t have much control over what is played. ITunes Radio is more like Pandora: The user can create their own stations based on artists or songs they like, fine-tune the stations by giving feedback on what is played, and skip songs. You can create iTunes Radio-style stations with Apple Music, too. You’ll find them in the Radio section of the Music app or iTunes.
Who Are the Apple Music 1 DJs?
Apple Music 1 is led by DJs Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, and Brooke Reese, among others. Each of them hosts shows on Apple Music 1 every weekday.
Who Else Has Shows on Apple Music 1?
The roster of guest DJs changes each month, so there’s always new music, new shows, and new hosts. Past guest DJs have included Dr. Dre, Elton John, Josh Homme, Pharrell, Q-Tip, and St. Vincent.
Where Are the Apple Music 1 Studios?
Apple Music 1 is based out of studios in London, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York.
Is It All New Every 24 Hours?
Apple has been touting Apple Music 1 as worldwide and 24/7. Technically, this is true, but it doesn’t mean quite what you’d think. Apple Music 1 offers 12 hours of new programming every day. Apple repeats that programming so that it’s new to the other half of the world’s time zones. Don’t expect to be able to hear new shows and music for 24 straight hours, but every day is new.
Can You Skip Songs?
No, because Apple Music 1 is like a traditional radio station; you can’t skip songs you don’t want to hear.
What Countries Is It Available In?
Apple Music 1 is available in 165 countries, according to Apple.
