TORONTO — Apple announced today it is rebranding its Beats 1 global radio station as Apple Music 1 and launching two new live radio stations on Apple Music, now available to users in 165 countries.
The new radio stations are Apple Music Hits, featuring a full catalogue of hit songs from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s, and Apple Music Country, spotlighting country music.
Since Apple Music’s launch in 2015, Beats 1 has delivered in-depth artist interviews, global exclusives and premieres, and unique programming, notes the company press release.
“Throughout its evolution, Beats 1 has established an inherent camaraderie with the artist community and championed human curation and discovery — an approach that will continue across the three stations,” reads the release.
“For the past five years, if ever there was a meaningful moment in music culture, Beats 1 was there bringing human curation to the forefront and drawing in listeners with exclusive shows from some of the most innovative, respected, and beloved people in music,” said Oliver Schusser, vice-president of Apple Music, Beats, and international content, in the release. “Now, Apple Music radio provides an unparalleled global platform for artists across all genres to talk about, create, and share music with their fans, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to invest in live radio and create opportunities for listeners around the world to connect with the music they love.”
Apple Music Hits will be helmed by daily on-air hosts Jayde Donovan, Estelle, Lowkey, Jenn Marino, Sabi, Nicole Sky and Natalie Sky, and George Stroumboulopoulos (House of Strombo), along with special shows from Ari Melber and others. Listeners can also tune in to hear new exclusive shows
from artists such as Backstreet Boys, Ciara, Mark Hoppus, Huey Lewis, Alanis Morissette, Snoop Dogg, Meghan Trainor and Shania Twain.
Apple Music Country’s talent roster includes daily on-air hosts Kelleigh Bannen, Ty Bentli, Bree, Alecia Davis, Ward Guenther, Nada, and Tiera, plus weekly shows from Ashley Eicher and Kelly McCartney. Country fans can also enjoy new exclusive shows from artists such as Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Pat Green, Willie Jones, Chrissy Metz, Midland, Rissi Palmer, The Shires, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen, alongside exclusive shows from legendary producers and songwriters such as Dave Cobb, Jesse Frasure, and Luke Laird, and journalist Hunter Kelly.
Music fans can enjoy Apple Music radio wherever they listen to Apple Music, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, CarPlay, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, and on the web at music.apple.com. Listeners can also ask Siri to play “Apple Music 1”, “Apple Music Hits” or “Apple Music Country”.
