Aussie music industry reacts to Apple’s plan to end iTunes downloads in 2019

As iTunes music downloads continue to plunge, reports have emerged that Apple could be set to phase out iTunes downloads entirely by 2019.

Digital Music News suggests that Apple now has a plan to accelerate the process and phase out over the next year, having last year reported on a plan to terminate iTunes downloads “within 3-4 years.”

Apple still denies that there is no plan to phase out their download service, however a source told DMN that such a plan definitely exists and is “on schedule.”

“More and more, [downloads] are legacy,” another source told DMN.  “That part is obvious.”

Billboard reports that the first half of 2017 saw revenue from digital downloads fall 24% in the US alone, while 62% of total digital revenue went up 48%.

With numbers like that, its no surprise that part of Apple’s plan includes a transition towards Apple Music, which DMN suggests would involve iTunes users having their downloaded music migrated into a new Apple Music account.

Following the migration, iTunes users will be able to still listen to their old downloads, but will no longer be able to add to their collection from the iTunes Store.

The Australian music industry has responded to the news....