“When Apple introduced its new streaming service, Apple Music, at the end of June, one of the big questions hanging over it was whether it could compete with outlets like Spotify to deliver blockbuster results for big new albums,” Ben Sisario reports for The New York Times. “In Apple Music’s first major test, the answer is a qualified yes. Dr. Dre’s album ‘Compton: A Soundtrack’ — a loose tie-in to the film ‘Straight Outta Compton’ — had 25 million streams around the world in its first week, and also sold nearly half a million downloads through Apple’s iTunes store, Apple executives said on Sunday.”
“Still, the album’s performance was not quite enough to send it to No. 1 in the United States,” Sisario reports. “When Billboard’s latest album chart is released on Monday, ‘Compton’ is expected to open in second place, beaten by “Kill the Lights,” from the country star Luke Bryan. According to industry estimates, ‘Compton’ — which is being offered only through Apple for its first two weeks — had about 11 million streams in the United States.”
“Compared with other big streaming hits this year, the showing for ‘Compton’ is also modest,” Sisario reports. “Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” released in February, had 48 million streams in one week, while Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ had nearly 39 million in March. Those albums benefited from the popularity of Spotify, which has 20 million subscribers around the world, and another 55 million people who listen to the service free with advertising.”
Read more in the full article here.
“Russ Crupnick, an analyst at MusicWatch, believes the streaming numbers aren’t that impressive even within Apple Music,” Jeremy Quach reports for The Mercury News. “‘Eleven million is not bad,’ said Crupnick to the New York Times. ‘But it’s not a spectacular number if you take in the number of Apple users that exist worldwide.'”
“It was reported earlier this month that Apple Music has 11 million trial subscribers, but there is no telling how many of those will convert to paying users once the three-month trial periods ends,” Quach reports. “Fortune wrote on how these numbers aren’t something to be bragged about, as Apple is currently in sixth place in the music streaming market.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote earlier this month:
Despite Eddy Cue’s claims of being “thrilled,” doesn’t 11 million seem a bit paltry for a free trial that launched in over 100 countries over a month ago? 11 million free trial users? That’s it? With more than 1/3rd of the trial period now gone? This might be a harder sell than most, including Apple (with their rumored goal of 100 million subscribers), initially thought.
SEE ALSO:
Are 11 million Apple Music subscribers – during a free trial in over 100 countries – worth bragging about? – August 10, 2015
Apple Music has 11 million trial members, App Store has July record $1.7 billion – August 6, 2015Dr. Dre and Ice Cube’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ box office opening soars to $60.2 million – August 17, 2015
Apple’s Dr Dre tops UK album chart after 16-year absence – August 17, 2015
Apple’s Dr. Dre to donate royalties of new album to build Compton Performing Arts Center – August 10, 2015
Compton: Dr. Dre’s first album in 16 years will be an Apple Music exclusive, debut this Friday – August 3, 2015