[bobbles]

I really think people are underestimating the streaming service they could be acquiring here.

Currently even as an iTunes Match subscriber, if I hear a song on iTunes radio I still need to go and purchase the song if I like it.

Potentially the deals Beats currently have mean I could just tag that song as one I like, and each time I listen to it some amount of revenue is split between the label and Apple.

Acquiring beats would undoubtedly mean they also acquire their licencing contracts, which seem to have been traditionally difficult for Apple in the past.

[pohl]

Even if they're not interested in the subscription service model, there may be something here that can improve iTunes Radio's song selections:

"The service uses a personalization system combining recommendations based on listening habits and algorithms with human curation and playlists from music professionals, including other "guest" curators, such as Rolling Stone, Rap Radar, and Pitchfork. Song searches prioritize the original, master recordings of songs over other versions (such as covers). A feature known as "The Sentence" allows users to generate playlists by filling four blanks in a sentence with words describing various activities, moods, and genres."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beats_Music

[pbreit]

Actually, it's extremely doubtful the licensing would transfer during an acquisition to Apple.