Apple Music’s “free trial” now costs 99 cents

Apple Music’s free three-month trial now costs 99 cents in Australia.

Also now charging 99 cents are Spain and Switzerland. However the nine-month trial in the United States, Japan and Germany still keeps to the accepted definition of “free”.

Speculation is that the 99 cent test is being tried out in the three countries before being extended elsewhere, including the US and the UK.

The suggestion is also that the new price tag is to make up for the royalties Apple Music had to pay labels and artists from early free trials.

It had initially tried to stop royalties during the trials but changed its mind after a chorus of disapproval from artists including Taylor Swift.

Apple issued a statement saying, "Pricing and promotions for Apple Music vary from country to country."

Other on-demand services offering free trials include Amazon Music Unlimited (30 days), Google Play Music (30 days), Tidal (30 days), SoundCloud Go (30 days) and Pandora Premium (60 days). 

In related news, Apple Music seems to be moving away from album exclusives. 

Apple Music exec Jimmy Iovine told Music Business Worldwide, “We tried it. We’ll still do some stuff with the occasional artist. The labels don’t seem to like it and ultimately it’s their content.”

Apple has been under pressure from labels for the past year, who have worked out that going with one platform drastically affects total streaming numbers.

But the company is still funding a number of music videos which will be exclusive to the platform.