With the emerging streaming music market, Apple is reportedly considering to kill of iTunes music downloads entirely. In one case, Apple would end song sales within two years, while the other case is less aggressive that would be to keep iTunes music downloads for another 3 to 4 years.
Paul Resnikoff of Digital Music News says that it's not a question of if Apple will kill off iTunes music downloads, but more so… when?
Part of Apple's debate has been that music downloads still account for hundreds of millions of dollars to Apple and that the estimated value will still be roughly $600 million in 2019. This number is down from $3.9 billion in 2012 however.
“On that front, top Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine, a longtime fixture [at] Universal Music Group before migrating to Apple Music, could play a key diplomatic role in the termination and transition,” said Resnikoff.
With Apple pulling out of iTunes downloads, does this leave the door open for Beatport who recently announced that they will be axing their streaming service? Or is the market changing altogether? You be the judge.
