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Apple strikes Warner Music deal as iRadio nears
Tue, 4th Jun 2013
FYI, this story is more than a year old

News that Apple will launch it's iRadio service at the Worldwide Developers Conference next week has gathered momentum, after the company signed a copyright deal with music giant Warner Music.

Signing up the third largest major music label in the world, the Silicon Valley firm looks set to reveal it's free internet radio service as early as June 10 at the San Francisco event.

Despite Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr declining to comment on the speculation, American news website CNET claims the move is a done deal, leaving only Sony left out of the top three music companies.

After previously securing a music licence deal with Universal Music earlier this month, Apple is expected to challenge internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify with the move.

Following Google's recent unveiling of Google All Access, Apple has been busy nailing down deals with the top music labels, despite the Sony agreement hitting a snag.

Announced at the annual Google I/O conference on May 16, the internet search engine launched a paid subscription music-streaming service, set to be a direct challenger to current services available such as Spotify.

Rumours are also rife that big money deals have been signed with all three top music companies, meaning Apple must act quick to equal its rival.

But despite Sony holding out for an apparently better offer, the fact both Warner and Universal have jumped on board suggests Apple could have a new product to unveil as early as next week.

Will Apple launch the iRadio next week? What are your thoughts below