Bloomberg Technology reports that Apple has signed a new song deal with Warner Music Group, its first deal with a major label since launching Apple Music 2 years ago, according to Bloomberg’s sources.
This gives Apple access to the Warner Music Group music catalog, including the likes of Ed Sheeran, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bruno Mars both for iTunes and for streaming on Apple Music.
Apple has also managed to ensure that it pays the record label a smaller percentage of sales from Apple Music subscribers than was the case when it first signed deals with the companies when Apple Music was starting out. At that time, paid streaming was still comparatively in its infancy, and Apple was prepared to pay more because its main intention for the service was to push iPhone sales.
Now, however, on-demand streaming is the main source of sales for the US record industry, and so the music rights holders are much more likely to agree to a smaller percentage of sales from services such as Apple Music as long as those services continue to attract high numbers of paid subscribers.
Source: Apple Reaches Music Deal With Warner, Eyes Sony Pact
