Apple Ending Ad-Supported iTunes Radio Stations at End of January

As part of the winding down of its iAd platform, Apple today sent out a notice to customers who listen to its radio service letting them know the radio feature is being discontinued at the end of January.

In the email, Apple says that Beats 1 radio will be the only free listening option available to those who do not subscribe to the Apple Music service. Customers who listen to radio stations sans ads with an iTunes Match subscription are also receiving the emails and will no longer be able to listen to radio stations as an iTunes Match perk.

itunesradioending
Apple has quietly continued to offer ad-supported iTunes Radio stations in the United States and Australia even after the launch of Apple Music, but with the end of its current iAd platform on the horizon, the feature will be limited to those who pay for Apple Music going forward. Customers in Australia are receiving emails stating the radio service will end on January 29, while U.S. customers are receiving emails that suggest it will no longer be available as of January 28.

Earlier this week, BuzzFeed reporter John Paczkowski said that Apple was working towards dismantling its in-house iAd sales team in favor of a more automated platform. This afternoon, Apple announced the end of its iAd App Network, and it's likely there will be additional changes to products and services as the iAd platform is revamped.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

japanime Avatar
131 months ago
I use iTunes Radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.

Also, one of the main reasons I subscribed to iTunes Match was so I could listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. I don't consider that a "perk," but rather an integral part of the Match service.
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rigby Avatar
131 months ago
So just like that, they are removing a feature that iTunes Match subscribers paid for? Nice going, Apple. The chances of me joining Apple Music just went from slim to zero, and perhaps I'll cancel iTunes Match too.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Whitelobster Avatar
131 months ago
I paid for iTunes Match solely to listen to iTunes Radio ad-free. And because of iTunes Radio, I have found new artists whose albums I've then gone ahead and purchased on iTunes. That will no longer happen.

Not cool, Apple.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rbrian Avatar
131 months ago
Pretty much every real radio station streams from their own website, or their own app, on any of a dozen or more apps which stream them all. Beats 1 had the chance to Sherlock them, with carefully curated tracks, from every genre. But they chose hip hop and gangsta rap. Even the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show is better.

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
epidote Avatar
131 months ago
I use iTunes radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.
Ditto, I listened to Beats 1 for about 30 secs once, that was about enough for me. Back to Spotify full time as of Feb.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rbrian Avatar
131 months ago
I use iTunes radio all of the time. Very disappointed to hear about this, as Beats 1 just doesn't seem to play the sort of music I'm interested in hearing.
What, you don't like hip hop? What other kind of music is there?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)