Big Updates In Store For Streaming Revenue in 2015

Obviously Apple did not pay $3 billion for Beats Music last year without a reason. The New York Times is now shedding light on the technology company’s plans to build its own streaming music service expected for public release this year.

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, previously chief creative officer for Beats, is playing a major role in redesign, according to Ben Sisario and Brian X. Chen‘s unnamed sources. The service is said to share many of the same features as the prior Beats Music, such as curated playlists. However, the name Beats Music will likely be shed. Aesthetically, vivid visuals will likely conform to Apple’s sleek and minimal design.

Although the report notes there are no plans for a free listening tier, Apple is said to be planning a subsequent boost for its free iTunes radio, with an eye towards unreleased exclusives and geographic targeting, not unlike AM/FM radio.

The music industry is becoming bolder towards the technology giant as seen when licensing negotiations fell through in recent months for discounted rates. With the nearly 800 million iTunes accounts in its database, Apple may be an attractive alternative compared to, say Spotify. It’s own iTunes Radio is a popular alternative for data-restricted mobile listeners due to its low data consumption when compared to other music apps.